Finding Community in the Heartlands: Our Journey with Admiralty CSC

 

We moved to the heartlands of Singapore two years ago — and I’m genuinely glad we decided to stay.

One of the biggest reasons for that is the amazing people we’ve met through Admiralty CSC, a community sports club where I now help coach football (soccer) for local children, including my own sons, Kai and Eita (we often call him Ted).

About two years ago, we were looking not just for an activity — but for connection. We wanted a place where we could truly integrate into Singapore’s culture, and more importantly, where Kai could build social skills in a supportive environment.

Kai has learning difficulties. We first noticed this while living in Hong Kong, around the time he was three. He was slower to speak and learn than his peers. We sought help at Watchdog, a fantastic school that supports children with learning challenges. Unfortunately, due to his age at the time, we couldn’t get a formal diagnosis.

By the time Kai was five, he had already been through quite a lot — frequent seizures, constant struggles to keep up, and difficulty making friends. I remember throwing him a big birthday party, and he mostly kept to himself. Social interaction didn’t come naturally to him.

But things began to shift after we moved to Singapore.

When Kai first joined Admiralty CSC, he didn’t play with the other kids — he played with the cones. But that was his starting point. Gradually, we’ve seen a transformation. Now, he’s beginning to join in, kick the ball, and even has a few friends to run around with and talk to.

The coaches at CSC have been incredibly kind and encouraging. When Kai makes mistakes, they don’t scold him — they guide him. That support has made all the difference. It’s not just a club anymore — it feels like a family.

When our current lease ends, we won’t be moving far. In fact, we’re just moving up the road to another condo in Woodlands. We’re staying close — not just to the area, but to the community that welcomed us, supported our son, and helped us feel at home.

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