Homeschooler Kids Visit Floorball School

On the lovely afternoon of 14 Dec 2007, about 12 homeschooling kids joined our kids’ floorball school. With additional kids who were first timers to floorball, the school was run a little different from usual. The kids were taught first of all how to hold the sticks properly with simple ball control as well as passes. The kids seemed to enjoy moving the balls around and bumping into one another while learning to control the balls. With some knowledge of that, we did a little bit more difficult and fun stuff where all kids would enjoy. Actually, even adults enjoy this: TAKING SHOTS AND MORE SHOTS INTO GOAL!

Later on, the kids were divided into two groups, boys and girls respectively for a mini dribbling pass the cones competition. The boys won the first round. However, the girls bucked up the second time round. In the same group, they played 6 vs 6 with a mini goalpost. For beginners they were considered pretty good as they learned to pass the ball a bit more than those seasoned adult players =) As usual girls are a little bit more passive compared to the guys. Nathalynn (8) from Contact Floorball School faired very well during playtime. She took a very nice shot from the side and helped the girls scored a goal. A glorious goal indeed! But then….the boys ended the game with a score of 3-1.

“It was a great afternoon with a great game”, expressed by one of the homeschool kids. WE certainly hope to have them more often in our school and have more people playing, sleeping and breathing floorball. ;p

Kids having their first go at learning to control the ball.

Taking turns to dribble the cones.

Shooting practice!

Everyone scrambling for the ball. Its Game time!

Excited kids after the game.

Free Starbucks!

Yup, Order anything you want for free! And you can queue up as many times as you want... yummy!

We discovered this when we were taking a break during the APAC Floorball Championships just strolling in the shopping mall just opposite where the team put up in Summer Traven. Promoters just approached us to ask us to queue up for our free drinks. Surprise! Starbucks were doing a promotion in aid of the Salvation Army and we had a wonderful treat. Bryan could not believe his ears.., and eyes and kept asking if it was really true...until he held his Mocha in his hand. Too bad we had only one helping as we wanted to head to the sports hall to watch the floorball games as well. If not for wanting to support our very own Malaysian referees who were on duty, I am sure we would have gone back for more. ;)

For all you guys who missed it...well, perhaps next time...

WAGA Sports Apparels

Contact Sports is proud to announce that we are now agents for a new brand of sports apparels under the brand of WAGA. As it is the vision of Contact Sports to link up and partner with "new products", we have chosen WAGA to be our partner in apparels. Material for WAGA apparels come from the same factories that produce fabric for the top sporting brands in the world and thus these jerseys are of superior quality. Contact us if you are interested to view our samples. We are able to provide full jerseys for teams as well as individual sets to those who just want to look good and feel comfortable. Best of all, we have sizes ranging from SSS to XXL for almost all designs.

Here is the family having fun showing off their new jerseys. ;)

PFA-Singapore Floorball Tour

After APAC, the Penang Team stayed back to have some friendly games with Singaporean teams for greater exposure. We had 5 games altogether within a span of 2 days, namely against Team Pasirian, NUS Titans, NUS girls, NUS-A and NUS-B.

Here are some pics of our outing. We will do a complete writeup with additional pics soon.

Penny trying to block a pass from a Pasirian player

Danush from Salibandy playing for Penang in goal.

Kwan Yang given the responsibility to coach the game with Pasirian seen here giving instructions

Group Photo with Team Penang and Team Pasirian

Simin and Penny with the Pasirian girls.

Team Penang with NUS Titans

Termin given the responsibility to coach the team against NUS Titans

Penny clearing the ball from the goal mouth

PFA Commitee with our host from NUS Alwin (in orange) and Wei Jing (in black)

Asia Pacific Floorball Championships 2007

This year the Asia Pacific Floorball Championships (APAC) proved to be much more exciting than the previous year as there were more teams participating. With Japan back in the picture and dark horses Korea, the level of intensity in the games were much higher and more exciting. Of course, not to mention the presence of the Singapore team which always has a lot to show.

The Malaysian team is a very young team with only 6 or 7 players with international experience. However, we in Penang are proud to mention that more than half of the squad are made up of players that are registered to Penang clubs. Team Contact was represented by 4 players, possibly the highest number from any club in Malaysia.

Players aside, the Malaysian team started off with a rather slow start losing 8:2 to Singapore B on the first day of competition. Although the scoreline was something that was not favourable, yet we have to admit that we were not really a team then. We had not come together to train and it was a struggle to get into pace in our first outing.

The next day was a lot better considering the fact that we were facing Japan B. The Japanese teams were known for their speed, and it was true that we had a lot of "catching" up in the game. However, the Malaysian team showed the spirit and played well only losing to Japan B with a score of 6:3.

The next day was the best for the Malaysian team. We played well, fought hard and had a very sweet victory of beating Australia A with a score of 7:5. This was something that not many people expected and was probably the best thing that has happened to Malaysian floorball since its conception. Everyone in the team including the supporters were filled with joy after the win. A win that will carry us a long way.

With that big win did not manage to push us up the table much as we had inferior goal difference and thus had to battle out at the bottom of the table for the 7th/8th placing with Australia B which we lost 6:3

Overall, we must say that this outing was a challenge for us to put aside our personal agenda and put the team first. Representing Malaysia is an honour and that honour will carry us to bring floorball to a greater height in the the Malaysian scene. We are sure that this team will be the ones who will thrust Malaysian floorball to a whole new level. Malaysia Boleh!!!

The Malaysian Team and supporters just after their big win over Australia A

Players from Team Contact in the National Team namely, Kenny, Bryan, Henry and Edward.

Friendly handshake after the game

Malaysia and Australia B after our final game for 7th/8th placing.

Malaysian team teaming up the Japanese to support the game between Japan and Singapore

Break time ... from the stress of competition

IFF Coaching and Referee Seminar

Once again the International Floorball Federation (IFF) together with the Singapore Floorball Association organized the Coaching and Refereeing Seminar during the Asia Pacific Floorball Championships (APAC). This year the Seminar was held at the beginning of APAC instead of the end unlike last year. Participants from Malaysia were our very own Edward, Penny, and James (all three representing the Penang Floorball Association); Dennis and Suresh (representing the Selangor Floorball Association); and Jason Selva also from Penang.

James and Suresh attended the Refereeing Seminar and they teamed up at the end of the seminar to referee in one of the games in APAC. It was a great experience and exposure for the both of them as they teamed up together for the first time. Even greater the experience for James as this was the first time he has refereed in an international floorball game.

Except for Penny who attended the Organisation Seminar last year, this was the second IFF Coaching Seminar for the rest of us. A very good refresher for all of us as this year the seminar proved slightly different as it was a little more tactical in it's approach and thus, very beneficial to all of us.

Penny is the only person who has attended 2 faculties in the Seminar, namely Coaching and Organization. Perhaps the challenge for her is to attend the Refereeing one next year. ;)

Group Photo of the participants of the IFF Seminar

Edward and Penny with Renato Orlando who is the IFF Vice President

A Stunning Night!

The long awaited night has finally arrived! 4th November 2007 at KL Performing Arts Centre, all the nominees and invited guests were stunningly dressed in black and white for the AYA Dream Malaysia Awards. It was quite a glamorous night filled with dance and song performances by ACTS dancers, KL Young Singers, Mia Palenci, Beautiful Gates and many more.

The results?! YouthMalaysia.Com took home the pewter ‘durian’ award. Indeed they were the more deserving winner of the award for their contribution towards the youth of Malaysia. However, we were very glad and truly honored to be one of the shortlisted nominees for the Youth Friendly Company Award. Many asked what did we get for being nominated….oh well, we took home an acrylic ‘durian’ as a gift. But most of all, listening to the many stories and the origin of this award, we took home a greater sense of wanting to sow into the lives of young people, for the betterment of future and of Malaysia.

Check out their website and read about the winners.

Floorball in Kota Kinabalu

After 3 years of introducing floorball to the folks in Kota Kinabalu (KK), we finally see progress and passion taking its place in the land. Our recent trip to KK on 25th October 2007 was pretty fruitful and rewarding. Highlights of our 1-week stay at KK…..

Kids’ Clinic (26 Oct)
We had approximately 40 kids come to this intro and clinic where basic ball handling was introduced to them. And of course, there was…GAMETIME! (Possibly the most exciting time in the clinic for a all of them!) They were divided into few groups according to their ages, and played a 4v4 with a small goalpost. Awesome time!

Going through the drills with some adult supervision.

The youngest in the clinic leading the way.

More ball handling drills.

Game time!

Some youth having a go with the kids as well.

Youth Clinic (26 Oct)
Only an hour after the kids were dismissed, the Youth Clinic began…. We had a short time giving some tips to the goalies, then a simplified clinic was conducted due to space and time constraint. Basic ball handling, passes and different techniques of shooting were taught. No game time for the youth as we were more technical in this session and allowed more time for Q&A. Click here to get a KK perspective on the clinic.

Getting ready for some drills in their lines.

Intense Ball Control!

Team Nomads who were present at the clinic.

Inter-Church Floorball Tournament (27 Oct)
The tournament was held at Shan Tao Hall, which housed 4 badminton courts. Awesome! The tournament was played in the format of 4v4 with a small goalpost as there were not enough goalies in KK. The scenario was pretty much the same like when Penang first started floorball. A lot of beginners, but all played their hearts out to win the tournament. Edward was the referee throughout the tournament. We saw a few good plays and some potential players who will be able to take the sport to greater heights! Grace Chapel emerged champion for the tournament, followed by Nomad Floorball Club and Skyline. It was great fun for everyone, especially those who have not been playing for some time. It was good to see them get back into the game! Once again, get the KK perspective by clicking here.

Additional Clinic (31 Oct)
With the heat of floorball over the weekend, the KK folks planned an additional session which was not in the original schedule. Those who were hungry for more of floorball came back. We did more stuff this time round being more technical and even had some fun teaching them how to fall properly as well. Some of the girls were too shy to “roll over”.

Game Time! (31 Oct)
After the clinic (and dinner, of course!), we were taken to another hall for a game! In total we visited 4 halls in KK. All of them are very nice place to play in. Smooth flooring, which is something very scarce in Penang. Anyway, this time round we had the chance to play with the locals. Great time! Great fun!

Apart from all the physical sessions we did, we also had the opportunity to meet with the leaders. We are grateful for the opportunity to impart the vision of developing floorball as a sport for the state. With the vision caught by the leaders, and passion instilled upon them, we trust floorball will also grow in magnitude in KK! And for us in Penang…. We can’t wait for an invitation to go and play with them in the future!

* It’s not all work, we had some fun time too at Manukan Island. Wanted to go up Mt. Kinabalu too but was fully booked. Perhaps the next time we go as a team, we will conquer Kinabalu as well. ;)

Snorkling at Manukan Island.

Fun at the beach.

Unleashed Sports Camp

YAY! The camp finally came to reality after a long postponement. The camp was originally scheduled in March school holiday but was postponed to 13-15 October due to lack of responses. Targeted at Christian leaders who are passionate about sports, the camp was held at Chefoo Methodist Centre, Cameron Highlands. It was a very nice campsite (great environment, cool weather, and good food). And the plus point for this camp? We had Awesome Fellowship, Great Discussions, and Loads of Fun!

The camp kicked off with a great teambuilding activity. It caused some to feel uneasy about certain things that they needed to do in order to complete the activity but it certainly served as a good icebreaker. After that, there were lots of fun stuff that we did throughout the camp which came in the form of theoretical and practical sessions.

We are truly thankful to God for His divine blessing and favor upon the camp. For without Him, it would not have been possible in having the camp. We trust that many who attended the camp had been empowered by the Holy Spirit and unleashed to do so much more for the building of God’s Kingdom through sports ministry!

Here are some pics of the many exciting things that we did at camp:

Deswyn is obviously enjoying the ride in this team building activity.

Team debrief after the teambuilding activity.

Selina teaching on having a proper Nutrition and D.I.E.T.

Morning jog and excercise...

Warm up and stretching before a fitness test.

More stretching...

The balance test - Moving in a zig zag motion within a box as fast as you can. You can see Edward keeping time and making sure Deswyn keeps within the spaces as the rest look on.

How long would it take for you to stay in that position and still keep a smile?

The endurance test - How far can you run in 12 minutes?

Planning and sharing what the future will look like in their area of sports ministry.

Sam sharing with the rest of us his vision and strategy for his floorball club.

Everybody learning to do the Supine Bridge in a session on developing the core.

The first batch to be Unleashed showing off a little of what they have in them ;)

That was just a sneek peek of some of the exciting things that happened. Well, as we have had a small and and humble beginning in this camp, the Lord impressed upon our heart that we will be having a bigger and bolder version next year. So…look out for SPORTS LEADERSHIP CONVENTION 2008!