INTER-COLLEGE GAMES: SPORTS IN RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES

What makes the annual Inter-College Games (commonly known as ICG) so special? Is it the thrill of competition, the friendships built on and off the field, or the unspoken pride of representing your college? For many, it’s a mix of all three. These games aren’t just about winning, they’re about community, resilience, and pushing beyond limits. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a first-time player, or the one making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, there’s something unforgettable about the experience. To get a real sense of what it’s like, I spoke to a sports director, a senior athlete, and a freshman competitor from RVRC, Tembusu and CAPT respectively. They share their highs, challenges, and advice for anyone thinking of taking part. If you’ve ever been curious about inter-college sports, this is the inside scoop! 

The Freshman Who Took a Leap 

Joining ICG as a freshman can feel intimidating, but Axil from the College of Alice and Peter Tan (CAPT) proved that taking the leap was worth it. 

“I used to play sports in JC, and I missed the competitive spirit,” she shared. “ICG is generally more chill than inter-hall games or national school games, so I felt that it was more accessible for me even if I’ve never played the sport before. Plus, my friend was the football captain and needed players, so I just joined.” 

One sport turned into three, and by the end of the season, she was leading two sports interest groups for the next academic year. “I didn’t expect that,” she laughed. “But I loved the community. In dodgeball, the seniors were super patient and willing to coach new players too.” 

That’s not to say it was easy. Dodgeball in a co-ed setting? Axil thought that it was utterly terrifying. “The guys throw ridiculously fast, and I was just trying not to get hit in the face. But with training, it got better, and by the end, I actually felt that it wasn’t so bad!” 

Axil in action during an intense dodgeball match 

Moreover, taking on the table tennis captaincy was another unexpected challenge. Axil shared that she had to organise winter training and teach beginners, all while not being that great at the sport herself. “But we made it work, and seeing my team improve was so rewarding,” she added. All in all, she notes that her real goal for joining ICG was to just enjoy the game and embrace the spirit of friendly competition. She adds that ICG is a great way to have fun, meet new people, and step out of your comfort zone to try something new. 

Axil with her CAPT football team on the field! 

Her advice? Don’t overthink it, just give it a shot. 

The Senior Athlete: A Seasoned Perspective 

For Leah from Tembusu College, ICG isn’t just about competition, but a journey of growth, teamwork and friendship. Strangely enough, her most memorable experience wasn’t from playing, but from watching the RC4 vs CAPT dodgeball finals last year. Instead of the usual intense 6v6 match, both teams decided to shake things up by sending up one player at a time for friendly 1v1 battles. “It was honestly so entertaining,” she recalled. “Seeing both teams treat the finals like a friendly match rather than a high-stakes game was really refreshing.” 

Beyond the excitement, ICG completely shifted the way she saw herself as a player. “Before this, I considered myself an individual player, and I didn’t think much about team strategy,” she admitted. But playing dodgeball changed that. Understanding her teammates as both friends and players with their own quirks made all the difference. “Once I started prioritising team plays and coordination, my game actually improved.” 

Leah and her dodgeball team in a pre-game huddle 

Her biggest lesson? Commit to team decisions. In fast-paced games, making a call and sticking to it together is often the key to success. 

If she could give one piece of advice to freshmen, it would be to “just have fun and make friends from other Residential Colleges (RCs) too!” When asked if she could do anything differently, she said that she would have taken herself less seriously and focused more on enjoying the time spent with her teammates. 

Leah and her dodgeball team proudly took home the bronze! 

Because at the end of the day, ICG isn’t just about winning: it’s about the friendships, the memories, and the moments that make it all worth it. 

The Organiser Who Did It All 

ICG doesn’t run itself. Behind the six weeks of sporting action, there’s months of planning. As Ridge View Residential College (RVRC)’s Sports Director, Cara handled logistics, finances, and event coordination, while also captaining two sports teams and winning medals in both. 

“Everything is student-run,” she explained. “From booking venues to hiring referees, we manage it all. Each RC hosts multiple sports, and two RCs oversee the entire event.” However, unlike other RCs, Cara didn’t have a Vice Sports Director, so she tackled logistics and finance alone, a huge workload, especially with long event days stretching from early morning to midnight. 

Cara and her ICG team tracking scores and match timings during Floorball ICG 

Despite the stress, she loved the experience. “ICG is a flagship event of Semester 2 for the Residential Colleges. Residents come together to support their friends, the competition is intense but fun, and friendships are formed everywhere.” And while she spent most of her time organising the games, she didn’t stay on the sidelines. She captained RVRC’s Women’s Football and Tchoukball teams, bagging silver in football and bronze in tchoukball. 

Cara and her tchoukball team celebrating their bronze medal win! 

Thinking of joining the ICG Organising Committee? Cara shares that planning the ICG is a marathon, not a sprint, where she advises to just “lean on your team, pace yourself, and don’t forget to have fun!” For aspiring athletes, her advice is simple: just go for it! Enjoy the process, make new friends, and embrace the experience. “You might even find a sports community that stays with you long after the games are over,” she added. 

ICG isn’t just about the competition. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, pushing your limits, and finding a community. Whether you’re the one organising the event, playing for your team, or cheering from the sidelines, there’s an energy to ICG that makes it one of the most exciting parts of residential college life. 

So, if you’re still unsure about signing up next year, here’s your sign: do it. Try a new sport, push yourself, and maybe even find a team that feels like home. You might just surprise yourself.