Written by: Nikki Tham Win Edited by: Chen Kexin and Lydia Ong Photos by: EusoffWorks
Perhaps the ultimate display of hand-eye coordination, teamwork, tactics and even finesse, the game of floorball is considered by many to be the epitome of all that represents a team sport. Many experienced floorball players consider their floorball stick an extension of their own arms, contorting it to hypnotise opponents and dribble past them before they even realise what is going on. What seems like a complicated sport actually only has a few basic rules. With 6 players a side, an intense back and forth game is played over three twenty-minute periods. The battle begins as a player from each side stares intently at a ball placed between their sticks and they compete to gain possession of the ball. As the game progresses, teams can have rolling substitutes as they try to attack the goal of their opponents while defending their own. Each game of floorball is truly a spectacle to behold for any spectator - experienced or not.
This year, with the Covid pandemic raging around the world, our Eusoff floorball players practice their plays such as the classic “makan the defender - attack from behind” as well as good social distancing while conducting their training in the function hall. Despite the added restrictions to their training, the floorball players are never discouraged as they diligently attend each training, vying for their spot atop the other halls’ floorball teams to emerge as champions. The only team that seems to be in their way is their long-recognised rivals, Temasek Hall, but this year will surely be the year that Eusoff clinches their championship title once again.
Handsome is the first word that comes into mind when you think about Dillion Chew, the man who leads the male floorball team with gusto and pride. Despite having started playing floorball just as he entered Eusoff Hall, the captain Dillion chews up his opponents with ease. Occasionally swiping his hair after executing a flashy play, he never fails to get adoring looks from his fans. Dillion is excited to build his team from the ground up as his newly revamped team consists of mostly freshmen who are ready to be molded into champions under his guidance. He describes this situation as The Chicago Bulls post exit of Michael Jordan, full of potential and ready to take on the very best. He is not only an inspiring character on court, he also handles his administrative duties as captain timely and brings joy to doing mundane tasks with his jolly personality.
Dillion only has one principle he preaches to his team every single training session. “Play our best and live with the results.” As a true realist, he recognises that victory only favours those who put in the blood, sweat and tears into training. He strives to drill the fundamentals of the game into the bones of his players, making things such as calling for the ball or passing the ball effectively come to them as second nature. Living with the results also means having to deal with losses effectively, instead of drowning in despair after a loss, he encourages his team to band together to train harder so they would not have to experience that feeling again. He recalls his fondest memory in floorball as the one where his team-mate transformed into Merlion as they consoled each other with some drinks after a devastatingly close final of IHG 19/20.
Why choose between brains and brawn when you can have both? Zoey Lim, our female team’s captain, much to everyone’s envy, is exactly as such. Known as a bundle of joy, it is no secret that her secret weapon is (apart from the stick) her peals of infectious laughter. However, she has a motherly side as well, as she encourages her teammates through the many ups and downs of training. On the court however, she is a fierce competitor, showcasing her accumulated years of experience on and off the court. She fell in love with the sport of floorball ever since she picked up the floorball stick in JC and ever since, she has been a dominating athlete who makes whoever stands against her and the goal to shiver as they fail in their attempts to stop her. Quite the opposite of the boy’s team, Zoey is excited to lead her peers who have stood beside her in previous IHG games. With the addition of several new players by her side, she is confident in further building upon the already established team dynamic to clinch the championship title for the upcoming IHG. Despite having been abruptly put into her position as captain, she took on her responsibility with confidence and aimed to make the CCA more welcoming and exciting for all.
Zoey is a firm believer of the old age adage, “One for all and all for one.” Not only does she place strong emphasis on making sure her team is well bonded by organising weekly team suppers, she values each member’s opinions and contributions towards the team. She is the epitome of a people’s captain. Due to her exemplary leadership, the girl’s floorball team is built on trust and knit as tight as glue. With Zoey’s vision and capabilities, coupled with the team’s determination, it is no doubt that the girl’s team is en route to victory.
Together the captain has an aura about them as the captains of the Eusoff Floorball team. Hand in hand with their elite team managers, Yong En, Rachel and Sean, they will undoubtedly lead the team to great success in the near future. Stay tuned in for more exciting updates as we follow them on their journey towards greatness.
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