SUSS Archery × St Luke's Elder Care Active Ageing Centre: Golden Years, Golden Shot

In the spirit of giving back to the community, the SUSS Archery Club organised a community fun shoot in collaboration with St Luke's Elder Care (SLEC) Active Ageing Centre (AAC). The event welcomed over 26 senior participants, many of whom experienced archery for the very first time. More than just introducing a new sport, the programme fostered meaningful connections, joy, and purpose between SUSS students and seniors while encouraging an active and socially engaged lifestyle.

Group photo with participants

The event attracted strong interest among the seniors, with many sharing that it was also their first SLEC programme. They signed up because of the unique opportunity to try something new. This placed the SUSS Archery team in the important role of creating a welcoming, low-pressure environment where participants could gradually build confidence throughout the session. Student facilitators guided the seniors through their first shots while engaging them in meaningful conversations, making the experience both enjoyable and personal.

SUSS Archery Club members addressing questions from senior participants

The programme was led by Chief Instructor Muhammad Haris Ruzaini Bin Zuraimi, a Year 3 Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering student with a Minor in Paramedicine, alongside Vice-Chief Instructor Goh Ming Min Carissa, a Year 3 Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student with a Minor in English Language. Together, they conducted the safety briefing and shooting demonstrations in both English and Mandarin, ensuring that every participant could confidently follow the instructions and fully participate in the activity.

Demonstration conducted in Mandarin by Carissa

Following the demonstration, the seniors were paired with SUSS Archery Club members, who coached them through the fundamentals of shooting while adapting their communication to suit each participant's language needs. Through patient guidance and encouragement, participants steadily developed their technique and confidence with every shot.

The programme culminated in a Balloon Challenge, where participants formed teams of four and worked together to pop as many balloons as possible. With every balloon burst, excitement filled the range as cheers and laughter echoed throughout the activity. Despite the increasing level of difficulty, participants embraced the challenge with determination, encouraging one another while demonstrating noticeable improvements in both their aim and confidence.

For Soh Shi Hui Maedyn, a Year 1 Bachelor of Science in Psychology student, this marked their first Sports For Good (SFG) experience. Reflecting on the programme, they shared: "These SFG sessions not only give me a break from the usual competition training grind, but also allow me to give back to the community. By teaching others how to engage with the sport, more people can enjoy the experience of shooting."

They described how rewarding it was to witness the participants' progress, recalling a memorable moment when one senior excitedly asked them to take photographs after successfully shooting the target.

Similarly, Yeo Kai Wen Chloe, a Year 3 Bachelor of Accounting student, reflected on the seniors' willingness to embrace a new challenge.

"Despite many of them having no prior experience, they were enthusiastic and willing to learn. While some were initially hesitant and nervous about trying archery, it was inspiring to see their confidence grow with each attempt as they became more comfortable and enjoyed the activity."

Participants preparing to shoot

The programme concluded with a sharing session by beneficiary partner Naufal Rosli, Community Engagement Associate at St Luke's Elder Care, who spoke about SLEC's mission of promoting active ageing within Singapore's growing senior population. He emphasised the value of programmes like these in supporting seniors' physical, social, and emotional well-being, sharing: "For some of the seniors, it was their first time doing archery. It was a meaningful experience for them as they got to learn a new skill."

His sharing reinforced the importance of lifelong learning and creating opportunities for seniors to remain active and engaged within the community.

Sharing session by beneficiary partner

The funshoot successfully encouraged seniors from SLEC to step beyond their comfort zones, challenging the notion that age should define one's ability to learn something new. Through the dedication and encouragement of the SUSS Archery Club, participants left with smiles, newfound confidence, and a memorable experience that inspired them to continue embracing new opportunities and experiences.