Recently our Varsity Tiger and Football Teams competed at SEASAC representing the Tigers whilst showcasing grit, resilience and teamwork out on the field and court. To celebrate their amazing experiences here is a reflection from our captains:
Rintaro – Boys’ Volleyball
April – Girls’ Volleyball
Lara – Girls’ Football
Guichai – Boys’ Football
- What was your personal highlight of the season?
“My personal highlight of the season was during the semi-finals. I hadn’t performed my best in the previous game, and as Captain, I knew I needed to step up. In the semi-final match, I managed to refocus, channel my energy into the game and lead our team to a strong performance. It was a proud moment where I truly felt the impact of determination and teamwork.” – Rintaro
“My personal highlight of this season was when we were losing 2–11 in the third set, but somehow, we flipped the game and won 19–17. It felt unreal. Every point we scored, we screamed, jumped, and hugged like it was the last time we’d ever get to do it! Looking back at the game videos now, I can see how much heart everyone poured into every single play. When most people are in a situation where they’re down by 9 points, they would’ve given up. But we didn’t. We kept pushing, motivating one another to do our best because our team’s chemistry was unstoppable.
Being at the game, I was admiring Mila’s, Inging’s and Yaya’s spikes, Helen’s and Aime’s beautiful sets, and Anya’s beautiful serves. Seeing the freshmen — Sophie, Hudson, Porjai, Maya, and Anna — light up with pure joy in their first varsity season made me even happier. It became such a core part of my memory. It reminded me of my first year joining the Varsity team, when I used to celebrate every point alongside the seniors. Back then, I looked up to them with so much admiration. Now, being in their shoes, I finally understand what that meant.
Also, alongside the court, the parents were cheering for us so loudly. They never gave up on us, even when we were losing by so much. Their voices echoed through the gym, lifting us up when we were tired and doubting ourselves. They believed in us when we were down, and somehow, that belief gave us the strength to keep going. Knowing they were there, always supporting, always cheering, made everything feel even more special.
Not to mention Coach Cindy and Coach Snook, who were always there for us. Always guiding, encouraging, and pushing us to be better every single game. Their words kept us grounded when the pressure got heavy.
The game itself wasn’t the highlight of the season. It was the spirit, the energy, the unspoken bond that tied us all together on and outside of that court. It was the moment I realized how lucky and grateful I am to have been part of something truly so special.” – April
“My personal highlight was definitely making a SEASAC vlog for my new and upcoming YouTube channel. I enjoyed editing and keeping memory of all the highs and lows of SEASAC. The video is enjoyable to look back on and I’d highly recommend watching it and subscribing. Shoutout to Chanya for editing!” – Lara
“As a collective going through the season ‘undefeated’, adopting a new team play style in response to last year’s tactical errors. Personally, shushing the away end after a last minute goal.” – Guichai
2. What was your proudest moment as a team?
“My proudest moment as a team was when we beat our rival school at SEASAC. For the three years I have been in Varsity, Bangkok Patana has never been able to beat this school. Finally this year, we beat them 2-1. Considering how many new members joined our team this year, I was impressed seeing our group dynamic and energy increase.” – Rintaro
“Proudest moment? Probably how far we’ve come. We went from thinking wins were rare to reaching a point where losing became rare. Watching how much we’ve grown together, all the sweat and tears, both as players and as friends, makes me feel so proud of what we’ve built. Even though our final result for SEASAC wasn’t what we expected, everyone did their best — and that’s the only thing that truly matters.
Even though this is Inging’s, Helen’s and my last year (four years on Varsity Volleyball), we know for a fact that our team will only continue to grow stronger, because every single person always encourages one another and pushes themselves to be their best.” – April
“My proudest moment of the season was winning the playoff during SEASAC, it was such a great game especially within the way we had come together after a tough loss in the semi-final, we truly played as a team. We were all super calm on the ball and supported one another leading to a 4-0 win!” – Lara
“Playing for each other like family. Whether winning or losing, against better or less dominant teams, we stepped on the pitch full of hunger, always backing one another.” – Guichai
3. What would you say to current U12 and U14 athletes aspiring to play Varsity level in the future?
“It is very important to maintain dedication towards the sport that you are currently playing, as well as being consistent with your effort. Besides the actual physical aspect, it is also important to have a good relationship with your teammates and coaches.” – Rintaro
“First, keep pushing yourself and always give your best. Every practice and every match is preparing you for the next level, so focus on improving and learning, not just winning. At the same time, have fun! Enjoy the game and don’t pressure yourself too much, because mistakes are part of growing. Support your teammates, encourage one another, and build a team culture where everyone can push themselves and feel confident. Since for me Varsity level isn’t just about skill, it’s more about teamwork, how we encourage one another to do our best. Lastly just believe in yourself, stay committed and give your all!” – April
“Continue training hard and be accepting of days where you might not play as well, this is super normal and happens to everyone. But one thing even more important, is to maintain a high level of sportsmanship and ensure that you play fair against other teams and also treat your teammates with respect and understanding.” – Lara
“Work hard, put on some muscle and don’t be scared. We were once in your position and we would’ve never gotten here without pushing ourselves to playing up age groups or putting ourselves under pressure. Be you, play like you, show us what you can do. Of course, you will make mistakes but don’t be scared of it nor let it define you. So give it a go. You’ll never know if you never try.” – Guichai
4. What’s your top tip for tournament play at SEASAC level?
“Do not be overly confident and be humble when playing because other teams are always improving and the results at the end may surprise you. Another tip would be that for long 3 day tournaments like SEASAC, always be prepared. Any player can get injured and create a new situation that as a team you may not be prepared for. It is really important to be prepared and of course, never lose hope.” – Rintaro
“First, just be confident in yourself! Believe in your abilities, trust your training, and don’t let nerves take over. But remember, volleyball is all about teamwork. You might be able to spike, set, or serve amazingly, but if there’s no teamwork, you can’t really play at your best. Supporting each other, communicating, and trusting your teammates is what wins games! And my TOP TOP TIP is to MAKE FRIENDS with people from different schools. Having been to almost 10 SEASAC tournaments, I realised that the best part isn’t just the games or the medals — it’s the connections you make. You’ll meet athletes from across Thailand and beyond, cheer for each other, share experiences, and build friendships that last far longer than the tournament. Trust me, it’s the best thing ever! They’ll come cheer for you during your matches, and those moments of camaraderie are truly unforgettable.” – April
“I think when playing in tournaments such as SEASAC, it’s very easy to get carried away by what other teams are doing and how to strategically play them. Therefore, I’d say to remain focused on your own team and stay focused on the things you can control, because ultimately to win a tournament you have to beat everyone. So stay focused on yourselves and your own performance as a team!” – Lara
“Recovery is key. Three days of intense games takes a toll on your body, so foam roll, stretch, eat properly and take care of your body. Other than that give it everything because you got only limited time to bring home a SEASAC title. I’ve been in this squad for four years and it flew by in an instant, so cherish every single one like every year is your last. Mark your legacy at Bangkok Patana.” – Guichai
