Staff from the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) gathered at Civil Service Club (CSC) Tessensohn for a combined National Day Observance Ceremony and Sports Day, bringing together national pride, friendly competition and team spirit in one action-packed afternoon.

Working closely with NCSS event co-chairs Wesley Su and Taha, the CSC team helped to plan and develop the programme, bringing together the National Day observance ceremony, and a series of inter-House sporting activities. The event provided NCSS staff with an opportunity to celebrate Singapore, stay active and build stronger connections with colleagues beyond the workplace.

Celebrating Singapore, Together

The event began with the National Day Observance Ceremony, setting the tone for a meaningful afternoon of celebration. Staff came together for the opening of the event, opening remarks, the singing of the National Anthem and recitation of the National Pledge.

For the organisers, combining the observance ceremony with Sports Day was a deliberate way to bring the NCSS family together.

“The main goal was to bring everyone together as one NCSS family to celebrate National Day while strengthening teamwork, camaraderie and staff well-being.”

Following the ceremony, the atmosphere shifted from celebration to friendly competition, as staff took part in stage games and a series of inter-House activities.

From Competition to Camaraderie

With three Houses - Collaboration, Conviction and Courage - competing for the overall title, teams went head-to-head across a variety of sports and activities, including bowling, pickleball, futsal, bocce ball and badminton.

But while there was a trophy to compete for, the day was ultimately about much more than winning.

For winning team captain Ms Soon Su-Chuin, with Mr Ethan Yeo as Vice-Captain, the real victory was the opportunity to bring colleagues together.

“Winning is a bonus, but the real victory was seeing everyone come together, have fun, and build stronger connections with one another.”

The games offered staff a chance to interact in a more relaxed environment, collaborate in new ways and discover different sides of their colleagues.

“The games allowed us to connect in a more relaxed setting, build stronger relationships, and collaborate in a different way from our daily work.”

The friendly competition also brought colleagues from different teams and departments together, creating opportunities to form new connections across NCSS.

For Su-Chuin, one of the most memorable aspects of the day was the energy and team spirit on display.

“It was heartening to see colleagues come together to support, encourage, and cheer one another on, creating a fun and memorable event for everyone.”

A Venue for Every Kind of Team

CSC @ Tessensohn provided the backdrop for the day's activities, with a range of sports and event facilities allowing different activities to take place within one location.

The ballroom hosted the National Day Observance Ceremony and karaoke session, while the badminton courts, pickleball courts and bowling facilities supported the various sporting activities. Having multiple facilities in one venue also made it convenient for participants to move between activities, cheer on their colleagues and support their Houses.

The NCSS planning committee found the experience of working with CSC equally valuable.

“Working with the Civil Service Club was a positive and collaborative experience. Their team was supportive in helping us coordinate the venue, facilities, sporting activities and logistical arrangements.”

CSC's experience in recreational events also helped the organising team refine the programme and coordinate the various logistical arrangements to bring the event together.

One Afternoon, Stronger Connections

For the NCSS co-chairs, seeing the event come to life was a rewarding culmination of the planning and coordination behind the scenes.

“A lot of coordination and effort went into planning the event, so seeing colleagues connect, cheer for one another and celebrate together makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Their thanks also went to the planning committee, House Captains, volunteers and partners who contributed to making the event possible.

For Su-Chuin, the experience was a reminder that team bonding does not always have to happen in the workplace.

“What I enjoyed most was seeing colleagues come together, have fun, and build stronger connections outside of work. The event created a positive and inclusive atmosphere that brought everyone closer as one NCSS.”

And that was perhaps the biggest win of the day — not just the House that emerged victorious, but the stronger connections forged across NCSS.

Whether it was competing on the courts, cheering from the sidelines or simply enjoying time together, the National Day Observance Ceremony and Sports Day gave colleagues a chance to celebrate Singapore, stay active and connect as one.

Planning your next Sports Day or team-bonding event?

From sports facilities and recreational activities to event spaces for ceremonies and group gatherings, CSC @ Tessensohn offers a range of facilities to bring your team event to life.

Find out more about hosting your next team event at CSC or enquire about CSC’s Sports Day package. Contact bde@csc.sg for more information.