The SAFRA National Service Association is an organisation in Singapore

Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

.

First known as the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association (SAFRA), the organisation was inaugurated on 2 July 1972 by Dr Goh Keng Swee

Goh Keng Swee

Goh Keng Swee was the second Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore between 1973 and 1984, and a Member of Parliament for the Kreta Ayer constituency for a quarter of a century. Born in Malacca in the Straits Settlements into a Peranakan family, he came to Singapore at the age of two years...

. From a small club house in 1972 with 1,904 members when started. It gradually grown into a renowned organisation with a network of 5 clubs to provide quality social, recreational, sports and educational facilities for NSmen and their families. In 1994, SAFRA was renamed to SAFRA National Service Association.

History

The inaugural ceremony of SAFRA was held in 1972 at the first temporary clubhouse at the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission Home at Prince Edward Lane. SAFRA’s first permanent clubhouse at Toa Payoh

Toa Payoh

Toa Payoh is a district located in the Central Region of Singapore. It commonly refers to the Housing and Development Board housing estate of Toa Payoh New Town, one of the earliest satellite public housing estates in Singapore....

, built at a cost of S$2 million was officially opened on 1975 by Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Lee Kuan Yew

Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades...

, the then Prime Minister. Facilities included badminton, squash, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts. SAFRA membership rose from 1904 to 32,783 in just over a year. The comprehensive range of facilities accounted for a sharp increase in the membership.

In April 1982, SAFRA’s second clubhouse at Jalan Bukit Merah

Jalan Bukit Merah

Jalan Bukit Merah is a major road in Perak, Malaysia. It is also a main route to North-South Expressway Northern Route via Bukit Merah Interchange.-List of junctions:...

 opened its doors. Its third clubhouse at Tampines

Tampines

Tampines is the largest residential area in the city-state of Singapore and is located in the East Region of the main island. The town is so named because in the 1900s a large forest of Tampines trees were there....

 was opened in June 1988. Costing $11 million, its facilities include an Olympics-sized swimming pool and a theatrette. To cater to NSmen working in the city, SAFRA’s Town Club at Wheelock Place

Wheelock Place

Wheelock Place , is a 21-floor office tower and shopping mall on Singapore's Orchard Road. The building was completed in 1994 as Lane Crawford Place , but closed down in the late 1990s due to the Asian financial crisis. The building was then renamed Wheelock Place, which its owner, Wheelock...

 (Orchard Road) was opened in July 1996. Members enjoy facilities such as pub-cum-disco lounge, luxurious karaoke rooms, a MegaGym, a jacuzzi and a steam-bath. The fifth club, SAFRA Yishun Country Club was opened in 2001.

In 1978 the SAFRA logo was unveiled. The 4 wings of the logo signifies integration of the 4 races and the sports, educational, cultural and social arms of SAFRA. The colour red signifies patriotism.

SAFRA Radio

SAFRA Radio

SAFRA Radio, established since 1994, is a Singaporean radio broadcaster owned by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association . SAFRA Radio broadcasts Power98FM and 883JiaFM, claiming over 300,000 listeners a week....

 was established to mark SAFRA's foray into broadcasting in 1994. Power98FM

Power98FM

Power98FM is an English radio station of SAFRA Radio in Singapore. It is a 24-hour English entertainment station which features contemporary pop music with a pinch of oldies plus the latest entertainment news and sports updates...

, the English station was being launched first. Later in 1995, it launched the Mandarin station, Dongli 88.3FM. In 2007, Dongli 88.3FM underwent a revamp and was relaunched as 883JiaFM

883JiaFM

883 Jia FM is a Chinese radio station of SAFRA Radio in Singapore. It features contemporary, popular music, latest traffic news, weather report, and news as well as entertainment news. News is reported hourly from morning 7 am to evening 6 pm. Latest traffic news are constantly reported to update...

 in March. The station changed from a full Mandarin station to one offering a bilingual mix of Chinese & English songs.

SAFRA adopted an activity-orientated approach during its pioneer years and mage an impact on the local sports, social, educational and cultural circles as well as community service. Among the first clubs were the Photographic and Shooting Clubs. Now SAFRA has over ten different interest/activity clubs to meet the various recreational needs of NSmen and their families.

With a membership base of 220,000 with differing needs, SAFRA offers more than just clubhouse amenities. Other benefits and privileges include free movie tickets, special rates for tour packages, free legal advice and discount at shopping, dining and entertainment outlets. Members may also qualify for sponsorship or fee waivers for certain certificates and diploma courses.

Vision & Mission

SAFRA's Vision

To be a dynamic institution effective in bonding NSmen through a network of quality lifestyle clubs, services and activities. We shall be reputed for our good value and innovation.

SAFRA's Mission

To make our NSmen feel appreciated for their contributions to National Defence

Clubhouses

SAFRA clubs are strategically located at Mount Faber

Mount Faber

Mount Faber is a hill about 105 metres in height in Singapore, located near the Bukit Merah planning area in the Central Region. It overlooks the Telok Blangah area, and the western parts of the Central Area...

, Toa Payoh

Toa Payoh

Toa Payoh is a district located in the Central Region of Singapore. It commonly refers to the Housing and Development Board housing estate of Toa Payoh New Town, one of the earliest satellite public housing estates in Singapore....

, Tampines

Tampines

Tampines is the largest residential area in the city-state of Singapore and is located in the East Region of the main island. The town is so named because in the 1900s a large forest of Tampines trees were there....

, Carpenter Street and Yishun

Yishun

Yishun, or Nee Soon as it was initially named, is a suburban town in the northern part of Singapore, encompassing the Yishun Planning Area, in the North Region, which includes Yishun New Town and the Nee Soon private residential estate....

. In 1997, club logo was designed for each SAFRA club to forge a distinct identity. A new clubhouse at Jurong West is completed in 2009. As this clubhouse is completed, SAFRA have clubhouses in the north, south, east, west and in central Singapore, readily accessible to all SAFRA members.

SAFRA Mount Faber

SAFRA Mount Faber, located at Telok Blangah Way started operation on 1 Nov 2004 replacing the old SAFRA Bukit Merah which was closed for operations on 31 Oct 2004 after 23 years. The club was officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

Lee Hsien Loong

Lee Hsien Loong is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. He is married to Ho Ching, who is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings. He is the eldest son of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew....

 in March 2005. Facilities includes badminton, basketball, futsal, tennis and Multi-Purpose outdoor courts. It also houses a bowling centre, indoor rockwall, swimming pool, pub, karaoke rooms, EnergyOne Gym and child care centre. The SAFRA Heritage Gallery found inside the club, consists of static displays and an interactive component to recount SAFRA’s development and key achievements over the years.

SAFRA Toa Payoh

SAFRA Toa Payoh, located at Toa Payoh

Toa Payoh

Toa Payoh is a district located in the Central Region of Singapore. It commonly refers to the Housing and Development Board housing estate of Toa Payoh New Town, one of the earliest satellite public housing estates in Singapore....

 Lorong 6 was opened on 19 February 1975. The club underwent an extensive S$4-million renovation and was re-opened in 1991. After which the club establish itself as an Edutainment Hub with innovative and value-for-money packaging of educational and entertainment programmes catering to different age groups at one single location for an all-rounded, family-oriented setting. New club facilities like swimming pool, rockwall climbing was added.

SAFRA Tampines

SAFRA Tampines Club, located at Tampines

Tampines

Tampines is the largest residential area in the city-state of Singapore and is located in the East Region of the main island. The town is so named because in the 1900s a large forest of Tampines trees were there....

 Street 92 was opened by Mr Goh Chok Tong

Goh Chok Tong

Goh Chok Tong is the Senior Minister of Singapore and the chairman of the central bank of Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also served as the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 28 November 1990 to 12 August 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime...

, First Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister in June 1988. A new $6-million three-storey annexe at the club was opened in Oct 1996. The club has been designated as a Sports Hub with its sports facilities undergoing refurbishment to give members a better experience while engaging in their favourite sport. When the Sports Hub officially opens in early 2008. Members can expect a wider variety of sports courses, events and programmes at the club.

SAFRA Town Club

SAFRA Town Club at Wheelock Place

Wheelock Place

Wheelock Place , is a 21-floor office tower and shopping mall on Singapore's Orchard Road. The building was completed in 1994 as Lane Crawford Place , but closed down in the late 1990s due to the Asian financial crisis. The building was then renamed Wheelock Place, which its owner, Wheelock...

 was officially opened on 12 July 1996 by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, to cater to NSmen working in the CBD

Central business district

A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...

 area. The 6 year-old club then bowed out of Wheelock Place in November to make way for a new 6-storey club at Carpenter Street. The new SAFRA Town Club, a premier lifestyle club was officially opened in December 2002 by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. The club offers a cool mix of food, entertainment and lifestyle facilities all packed into a six-storey building. Amenities includes a live music cafe, EnergyOne gym, fruit machine room, a meeting room for member’s booking as well as a spa outlet.

SAFRA Yishun Country Club

SAFRA Yishun Country Club at Yishun

Yishun

Yishun, or Nee Soon as it was initially named, is a suburban town in the northern part of Singapore, encompassing the Yishun Planning Area, in the North Region, which includes Yishun New Town and the Nee Soon private residential estate....

 Avenue 4, costing $28 million was officially opened by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, on 19 April 2001. The club is strategically located in Yishun Park to offer a feel of nature. In November 2005, the $1.7 million SAFRA Adventure Sports Centre was opened, marking a new milestone to launch SAFRA Yishun Country Club into an adventure hub which is the iconic flagship for the club. The club also houses Singapore’s biggest indoor air weapons shooting range with 42 lanes of world class standard. The electronic scoring system found in the range is also Singapore’s only one. It also has a wide range of amenities like bowling centre, wall climbing and EnergyOne gym.

SAFRA Jurong

On 8 February 2007, the groundbreaking ceremony was held to commence the construction of a new SAFRA club at Jurong West

Jurong West

Jurong West is a neighbourhood in Singapore, bounded by the Pan Island Expressway, the eastern edge of Jurong Camp, Boon Lay Way, Corporation Road, Fourth Chin Bee Road, International Road, Corporation Road, Ayer Rajah Expressway, Yuan Ching Road, Boon Lay Way, and along a Canal leading into Jurong...

. The S$30 million four storeys clubhouse located at Boon Lay Way, is just minutes away from Boon Lay MRT Station

Boon Lay MRT Station

Boon Lay MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit station on the East West Line in Jurong, Singapore.The station currently serves residents living in Boon Lay, Pioneer, Gek Poh, Nanyang and people working in Tuas,Tuas South,Pioneer Sector,Jurong Hill,Jurong Pier,Lok Yang,Benoi and Gul.In...

 and Jurong Point Shopping Mall

Jurong Point Shopping Mall

Jurong Point is a suburban shopping mall located in Jurong West, Singapore. It is situated next to Boon Lay MRT Station and Boon Lay Bus Interchange...

. The new clubhouse, opened on 30 May 2009, adopts a ‘Family Playground’ flagship theme. It has a suitable mix of entertaining, sports, food and beverages as well as other facilities that SAFRA members, their family members and friends can enjoy in a family-oriented environment. Unique facilities in the club include the largest indoor children’s playground in Singapore and the first children’s gymnasium in SAFRA clubs.