No More “What Ifs”: 27-year-old Ryan Tan’s Second Chance at Varsity Football
PHOTO: Ezekiel Yeo
By Muhammad Ariiq, AUSF Student Media Contributor
3 November 2026
SINGAPORE—For many university athletes, graduation signals the end of competitive sporting journeys, as careers and responsibilities begin to take precedence.
But for 27-year-old Ryan Tan, stepping away from football was not something he was ready to accept.
Despite being rejected from Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) varsity football squad on multiple occasions, Ryan refused to give up on his dream of representing his university.
“I just didn’t want to look back with any regret,” Ryan said. “At least I know if I really didn’t make it this time, then at least I really gave myself the opportunity to try rather than wonder: what if,” he added.
Five years after his first unsuccessful trial in 2020, Ryan finally earned a place in NTU’s varsity football squad in 2025, proving that setbacks do not necessarily spell the end of one’s sporting aspirations.
Touching lives through sport
Ryan’s university journey began when he enrolled in NTU’s Sports Science and Management programme in 2020 on a scholarship, driven by his interest in the science behind sport.
Upon completing his undergraduate studies in July 2024, he initially considered pursuing a master’s degree before deciding that a career in teaching would allow him to make a more meaningful impact.
Ryan Tan giving instructions to a group of primary school students before their physical education class.
Ryan credits his year-long teaching stint for affirming his passion for teaching. PHOTO: Ryan Tan
A year-long teaching stint at a primary school reaffirmed his desire to pursue a career in education.
“I believe that through sport and physical education, you can really make an impact on lives,” he said, adding that sport had allowed him to interact with people from different backgrounds and develop an appreciation for Singapore’s multicultural society.
He is now pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Singapore’s National Institute of Education (NIE), an autonomous institute within NTU, with hopes of inspiring young people through physical education.
“It’s rewarding to see your students fall in love with physical activity because of you, and eventually lead a healthy lifestyle, especially in today’s technology-driven society,” Ryan shared.
A thank-you poster addressed to Ryan Tan from his class of Primary 5 students. His teaching stint in the primary
school reinforced his decision to pursue teaching instead of furthering his studies with a master’s degree. PHOTO: Ryan Tan
For Ryan, returning to the NTU community through NIE meant more than taking the next step towards becoming a teacher. It also reopened a chapter he had never felt ready to close: his pursuit of a place in the university’s football varsity squad.
Refusing to let rejection define him
Ryan’s journey into varsity football was far from straightforward. When he first entered NTU in 2020, COVID-19 restrictions meant that football trials were conducted in groups of five.
Subsequently, he failed to make the team. Although disappointed, Ryan believed the restrictions had limited his opportunity to demonstrate his abilities.
His next opportunities in 2021 and 2022 further lowered his morale. In both years, he earned a place in the team’s training squad but failed to make it to the competition squad, due to the overwhelming competition.
“At that point, it was quite tough to accept,” he recalled.
While rejection could have marked the end of his varsity ambitions, he chose to persevere.
Ryan played for amateur and semi-professional local teams to sharpen his technical prowess, while maintaining his strength and conditioning independently and in the gym.
Ryan Tan (middle-right) celebrates a goal with his teammates during
the Singapore University Games (SUniG) 2026. PHOTO: Caleb Ng
His dedication would eventually be rewarded, as in 2025, he had finally achieved his goal of making the competition squad.
For Ryan, the achievement was made even sweeter by the encouragement he received from teammates who had witnessed his earlier disappointments.
Balancing books and boots
Nevertheless, breaking into the varsity team was merely the first hurdle of many.
As a postgraduate student preparing for a career in education, he must balance academic responsibilities with the physical demands of varsity football. Late-night training sessions, early classes and academic deadlines can leave student-athletes with limited time for adequate rest and recovery.
Despite being older than many of his teammates, Ryan believes the age difference is not necessarily a disadvantage.
“Being one of the oldest in the team means that I’m not the fastest or the strongest,” he acknowledged. “But I don’t see age as a barrier, I just look at people and their experiences and what you can learn from them.”
All hands on deck: The 22-man strong NTU Varsity Football team come together for a pre-game huddle before their SUniG 2026 semi-final match. PHOTO: Caleb Ng
Ryan also credits the support of his teammates for giving him the confidence to continue pursuing his sporting ambitions. He adds that the support from former teammates have also reinforced his belief that sport is about more than individual achievement.
One last chance
At 27, Ryan understands that opportunities to compete in university football will not last forever. But rather than dwelling on the time he has left, he has chosen to make the most of it.
For university athletes across Asia who may be struggling with rejection, injuries or the demands of balancing sport and education, Ryan believes setbacks should not define what comes next.
“I think setbacks are normal in life,” he said. “What always drives me personally is the possibility of something beautiful coming out of your failure, because failure is not the end, giving up is.”
NTU’s Varsity Football team poses for a photograph after triumphing in their semi-final match. For Ryan,
being part of the squad represents the fulfilment of the dream he had pursued for years. PHOTO: Caleb Ng
For Ryan, his return to varsity football is about more than earning a place in the squad or winning trophies.
It is about fulfilling a dream he has carried for years, while proving to himself that age, rejection and life’s competing demands need not stand in the way of pursuing one’s passion.
Whatever the outcome of his remaining university football journey, Ryan has already answered the question that once weighed on his mind. He will not have to wonder what might have happened if he had tried just one last time.
