😊👍 Earning Your Trust: Why I’m Open About My Background & Experience
- Buddy Sports
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
Whenever a parent asks about my experiences & credentials, I take it as a great sign—it shows just how much you care about your child’s safety & experience.
As a parent, if you are trusting someone to guide your child in deep pools, on outdoor trails, or in the open sea, asking questions is essential. You deserve to know who is taking care of your child, what their safety standards are, and whether they have the real-world experience to handle dynamic situations.
Before starting Buddy Sports, my coaching philosophy was built on three distinct foundations: 1. Leadership & Safety Under Pressure (From the SAF)
What it taught me: Over a decade in the military as an SAF Commando Ranger and water reconnaissance operator taught me discipline, risk management, and leadership.
What this means for your child: Panic in dynamic environments is the real danger; composure is the cure. I bring that same grounded, unflappable energy to every session so your child feels completely secure.
2. Specialized Early Childhood Care (From Happy Fish Swim School)
What it taught me: Happy Fish gave me an incredible platform to specialize in infants and young toddlers—aged 4 months to 4 years old.
What this means for your child: Many coaches lack the confidence or patience to teach this very young age group. Working with babies and toddlers taught me that trust must come before technique. It gave me a deep understanding of early childhood psychology, gentle water familiarization, and how to make nervous toddlers feel safe and happy in the pool.
3. Creative Ideas & Patient Observation (From NAFA)
What it taught me: Studying fine art at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) trained me to look closely at details, think outside the box, and design fresh, creative ways to teach.
What this means for your child: Learning shouldn't feel like a rigid drill. My art background allows me to come up with creative games and visual ideas that keep lessons fun, joyful, and tailored to your child's unique personality.
Passing These Standards to Every Buddy Sports Coach
I don't keep these lessons to myself. What I learned from military discipline, early childhood coaching at Happy Fish, and creative thinking at NAFA forms the official training system for every coach at Buddy Sports.
Whether your child is taking their very first splash as a toddler or learning open-water safety as a young explorer, our whole team is trained to guide them with the same high safety standards, creative energy, and patient "Buddy" approach.
Want to see how Buddy Sports can help your child grow?
Formal Testimonials
"Distinguished Service Testimonial – SSG Ling Yao Hui, SAF Commando Formation"
SSG Ling Yao Hui enlisted on 24 july 2001 and served Military Police during his first 2 years in Army. Subsequently after his full time national service in 2003, SSG Ling Yao Hui decided to join the Commando (Cdo) Formation. During his service in the Cdo Formation, he had constantly upgrade himself by going for numerous courses. Being an operator in the Small Boat Detachment, SSG Ling Yao Hui is well trained in water Proficiency. He was a Assualt Diver and a Qualified SAF Lifeguard.
SSG Ling Yao Hui is an outstanding soldier with multiple talents. Besides being proficient as a boat operator, SSG Ling Yao Hui was also an excellent marksman. His remarkable skills in shooting had gained him numerous competition experiences and acheivements. Some of the key achievements he had accomplished were; Champion for Men pistol Match 1, 1st runner up for Match 2 Men pistol Match and Champion for Pistol Team During the SAF skill at Arms Meet in 2010, 1st Runner up for Pistol Team during ASEAN Armies Rifle Meets (AARM) and 2nd Runner up for Pistol Team during Brunei International Skill at Arms Meet. Not only had he done well in his shooting competition, he also contributed to the Cdo Formation by representing Singapore Army in AARM as Neutral Officer in 2012 and assisted in coaching the Cdo Pistol Team to clinch the Championship in Annual Army Shooting Meets 2013. SSG Ling Yao Hui's talent in drawing is also commendable. His creatitvity in arts is admirable and he contributed to the formation as the designer for Chain of Command event in 2008 and the Special Forces Commanders' Conference (SFCC) event in 2009. He is always looking for more opportunities to showcase his skills and talents by putting them to good use.
SSG Ling Yao Hui is highly responsible individual who posseses exemplary work ethics throughout his tenure in Commando Formation. His dilignce and highly motivated attitude have always been evident in all assigned tasks. His strong sense of leadership and organisational skill were evident of ability to lead and manage his men during training. He also possesses the ability and resolve problem during dificult situations all by himself without any assistance. His initiative and managerial skills ensure that his standards are performed up to the Unit's expectations and he has no qualms in sacrificing his personal time to go beyond the call of duty to make sure that the job was done well.
In all the appointments SSG Ling Yao Hui undertook during his 13 years in service, he had demostrated professionalism and efficaciousness in his work. He had greatly enhanced the organisation capabilities and benchmarked the level of excellence in the various appointments he took. In 2011, he was awarded SAF Long Service and Good Conduct (10years) Medal.
SSG Ling Yao Hui has proven as a valuable asset to the Commando Formation and SAF. Given his demonstrated potential, we believe SSG Ling would overcome any difficulty or challenge given to him. He will try his utmost to complete any task to the best of his ability. We, the SAF Commando, do sincerely wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
- XXX XXXXXXXXxxxxx , COMMANDING OFFICER AFPN 1516
dated: March 2013
"Official Testimonial – Coach Ling Yao Hui, Happy Fish Swim School "
Professional Swim Coaching & Special Needs Instruction
24 February 2016
Testimonial for Coach Ling Yao Hui
Coach Ling works closely with Happy Fish Swim School and is one of the coaches whom we are very proud to work with. Not only has Coach Ling attained the swimming teacher certification under Sport Singapore and AUSTSWIM, he has one of the rare swimming instructors who is certified and has experience teaching infants, toddlers and special needs students in swimming. Other than leading the infant and toddler group lessons on weekends, Coach Ling also supported us in projects for Special Needs Schools such as Chaoyang School and Grace Orchard School. And whenever he is available, he also helps in teaching students with special needs privately. His students include many people with Mild Learning Disability and Autism (both Verbal and Non-verbal).
It takes a lot of patience and encouragement to teach students with Special Needs. Coach Ling’s cheerful and motivating personality, in addition to his firm handling of the students in his class, certainly made him one of the popular coaches among the teachers, parents and students of the Special Needs Schools. His students look forward to their weekly swimming lessons and the teachers are very comfortable to let him handle the students alone. And being a very responsible man, he is always early to prepare for his lessons and would give his 100% for every lesson he taught. He even managed to train a group of students with mild learning disability and autism to pass their swim safer stage 1 assessment within 2 school terms, with once a week group lessons at Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex.
We would strongly recommend Coach Ling to any institution that needs a responsible, patient and motivating leader.
Yours sincerely,
Lim Wan Ying
Manager Happy Fish Swim School Pte Ltd
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