2025 A Division Floorball Finals: Floorballers set the court ablaze
By Neyati Umamaheswar(24A13) and Sneha Susan Thomas(24A13)
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Sticks and stones may break bones, but can sticks on a court do so too? When wielded with the speed, skill, and sheer willpower shown by the Victorian Floorball teams, they don’t just bruise; they blaze. In a thrilling National School Games (NSG) showdown, out floorballers showcased precision, lightning-fast footwork, and relentless drive. We saw the teams turn the floorball court into their personal canvas, painting a masterclass in skill. What began as a match quickly became a statement: these were teams not just playing to win, but playing to dominate.
Photos taken by Ashton Poh (25S31) and Tan Yuan Bin Clarence (24S45) from VJC Photography Society.
Floorball Girls seize championship title
To say the audience during the finals matches held bated breath would be an understatement. The laurels of the school lay on these few hours. Starting off the match was the girls’ game, with VJ up against River Valley High School (RVHS). We saw looks of determination plastered on their faces even before their matches began, the air thick with anticipation. With hundreds of eyes staring them down, it's surprising that they did not crumble before they could even charge into the game. The match began with a strong face-off. The ball was quickly swooped in on by our team guiding it towards the goal with fluid strikes.
However, tough competition means tough interception. A few minutes and a couple of swift moves later, despite our team’s strong defense, RV managed to score a goal. Cheers erupted from the opposite side of the court as we stood stunned by the minor setback. However, it was evident that defeat did not exist in our teams’ vocabulary. They had lost a miniscule battle and by no means had they lost the war. The ball was being passed between teammates and ever so often, the opponents, at lightning speed. The flurry of the black jerseys moving in and out of court signaled to us watchers that the action was not about to end anytime soon.
8 more grueling minutes of exhaustion and no scores on our side led to beads of sweat fuelled by stress and anticipation to materialize on us spectators. Would the match end without victory? This speck of doubt was wiped off of our minds in seconds as the ball slipped past the goalkeeper and into the goal. Exuberant cheers from a sea of neon yellow engulfed the arena. Hugs were passed around as the repeated cheering of “VJ! VJ!” echoed through the arena. We had an even playing field again .
Floorball Girls jubilant after a goal. Photo taken by Kabir Vasudevan(24S39) from VJC Photography Society.
Every minute and every goal counted. This thought would definitely have been running through the players’ minds as we saw the intensity ramp up tenfold at this point. Each player was running faster, panting harder and pushing forward with more precision and force. In this case, it was proven that diamonds were indeed made under pressure as Victoria scored the second goal of the game.
‘Number 26’ (Yong Si Qi (24S39) guarding the goal. Photo taken by Kabir Vasudevan(24S39) from VJC Photography Society.
Going into the 3rd quarter, success was still not a given. With River Valley still having the potential to overtake us, the onus lay fully on our Victorian athletes to demonstrate that the two years of effort were worth it. Excellent skill and focus was demonstrated by the goalie, Yong Si Qi (24S39), or as us spectators referred to as ‘Number 26’. River Valley’s offense came into the third quarter guns ablazing but every shot made was spectacularly deflected by ‘Number 26’. Each time the ball would come flying directly at her. And every time, she shielded the goal with every fibre of her being, not allowing any concessions to be made by the opposition.
With only 2 minutes left in the game, one more goal seemed improbable- but the Floorball Girls proved us wrong and shot a clean ball straight into the net. It was done. We had won the game and resounding cheers erupted from the crowds. A combination of exuberance and relief laced with school pride was intoxicating, smiles plastered on each and every one of our faces.
Floorball Girls embracing one another, triumphant after securing the win. Photo taken by Trey Ignatius Leong (24S54) from VJC Photography Society.
After conceding the initial goal, instead of feeling subdued, the team had responded with remarkable determination and resilience, elevating their performance even further - a drive that ultimately propelled them to victory. On the secret of this impressive resolve, the team shares, “This season has taught us the importance of a 'never give up’ spirit and a positive mindset. This is especially because in several of our important matches, we conceded the first goal of the game, which initially dampened our morale. However, with our coaches and teachers' encouraging words and our teammates' cheers, we were able to pull ourselves together and play to our fullest, thus allowing us to turn the tables.”
Evident on the court and reflected in the wins, our Floorball Girls are a team built on passion and grit. When asked about one message they’d like to share with Victorians, they responded, “We would like others to know that we train really hard out of genuine love towards the sport and the CCA, and that’s why we were able to achieve the desired outcome! While there have been tough times, as one VJ floorball family, we've managed to set our differences aside and work things out with one another.” Their victory was certainly one earned and deserved.
Floorball Girls in a team huddle. Photo taken by Ashton Poh (25S31) from VJC Photography Society.
Unbeknownst to us Victorians, we had signed up not just for a match but an entire emotional experience. The emotional roller coaster and the sheer determination observed proved to us that Victoria was indeed something more.
Floorball Girls posing with their medals. Photo taken by Felicia Clarabelle (25S61) from VJC Photography Society.
By Neyati Umamaheshwar (24A13)
Floorball Boys team clinches victory in nail-biting finals
If anyone entered the Floorball Boys’ Finals hoping for a relaxing afternoon, they clearly took a wrong turn- what unfolded on the court was anything but. Eunoia Junior College (EJC) and our VJ team prepared to face off for the title of A Division Champions, that only one team would eventually claim. For the entirety of the boys’ match, the court was a battlefield - not a display of brute force but of focus, finesse and fire.
Floorballers in action. Photo taken by Tan Yuan Bin Clarence(24S45) from VJC Photography Society.
Victorians cheering enthusiastically. Photo taken by Ng Khai Jun Rhys (25S310) from VJC Photography Society.
The tension was palpable right from the face-off, with the ball flying to VJ’s court. With masterful maneuvering, elegant strokes and swift dribbling, both teams exhibited their prowess as floorballers. While the boys played, the spectators hardly stood still, enthusiastic cheers continuously echoing throughout the court. Choruses of “VJ BOLEH!” and “VJ Represent” electrified the atmosphere and energised both the players and spectators.
It wasn't long before VJ scored their first goal, sending waves of excitement through the crowd. However, a strong start never guarantees a smooth ride. In just 6 minutes, EJ scored their first goal, landing us in a tie.
The determination of both teams shone through on the court. With floorball being a fast-paced and intense game, the frequent substituting of players in and out kept players on court fresh and focused. Soon came the payoff with VJ scoring their second goal! Riding on that momentum, not even a minute later, VJ scored the 4th goal of the 1st quarter, making the score 3-1 to VJ.
After a brief break, the intensity resumed. A foul called for a penalty, and EJ swiftly capitalised, narrowing the gap. Two minutes later, they scored again, this time tying the game. The court was fraught with tension. Each team played valiantly, with Offense players deftly shooting their shots and Defense players blocking all shots that came their way. The third quarter ended with no clear winner, sending the game into a nerve-racking penalty shootout.
The auditorium fell into a loud silence. All eyes were trained on Muhammad Edel (24S35), the Floorball Boys’ captain, as he stepped forward to take the first penalty shot. He recalls, “People were literally chanting my name and honestly that made me more nervous. But I think it was the realisation that the team placed their trust in me to take (the shot) that made me relax.” Edel breathed, shot- and scored!
The crowd erupted and then hushed for EJ’s turn. Despite their player’s best efforts, the ball missed the net, securing a 2-0 lead in the shootout. Gerald Tan (24S45) then stepped up to play and showed a valiant effort but failed to net the goal. Our goalie, Zubin Maheshwari (25S35), also put up a strong defense but the EJ player managed to score this time, earning EJ a point and revitalising EJ supporters. The momentum shifted quickly when Raoushan Ruhul (25S52), a VJ forward, swiftly and skillfully shot the ball straight into the back of the net, nudging the scoreboard in our favour. The weight of this next goal was apparent and highly coveted by both schools. The EJ player approached with calculated precision, attempting a clever strike but our goalie, Joshua Pang (24S46) was quicker. He blocked it clean, and the court exploded in cheers. VJ’s Victory was secured.
Floorball Boys in the penalities. Photos taken by Jerric Chiew (24S32) and Tan Yuan Bin Clarence (24S45) from VJC Photography Society.
The team was ecstatic as they rushed forward, a tangle of limbs as they collapsed on the ground in a massive group hug.
Floorball boys euphoric after their win. Photo taken by Jerric Chiew (24S32) from VJC Photography Society.
Triumphant cheering echoed throughout the auditorium. After a moment of pure celebration, the prize ceremony followed, a touching culmination of the team’s hard work. Victorians swelled with pride when the national anthem played and stood prouder still when it was time to sing the Victorian anthem. The Floorball team’s victory was a product of months of tireless hard work and determination and discipline.
Floorball Boys celebrating their win. Photo taken by Tan Yuan Bin Clarence (24S45) from VJC Photography Society.
On the challenges of being on the team, Muhammad Edel (25S35) shared, “Weekly school trainings were physically tiring to the point where my sleep clock was messed up - I’d be awake despite being tired at 11pm, and then sleepy at 8am the next day. My lessons were affected.” Still, what stayed with him the most was not the exhaustion but the mindset that helped him plow through. “I don’t let fatigue affect what is meaningful to me in my daily life like my studies and relationships. I understood that having an optimistic mindset is actually a cheat code because nothing is going to bring down your morale.”
Acing any team sport requires more than just an individual’s effort and team bonds are not made overnight. Edel recalls, “One moment that made me proud as a captain was when we huddled together every time before and after games and training. Our bond, brotherhood and camaraderie is so strong. I loved it when my team looked out for one another, studied and had fun together.”
The 2025 Floorball A division double win was a victory to remember, not just for the score, but the stories behind it.
Photo taken by Tan Yuan Bin Clarence(24S45) from VJC Photography Society.
By Sneha Susan Thomas (24A13)
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