*This post is written by Kew Pei Li, on her experience in this year's Youthwave.
Youthwave this year...
...best ever.
No-o, we did not win, or I'd have posted this up much earlier:)
But some things are sweeter than getting first.
A few weeks ago, I was praying that we'd get lucky for once and get a good, comfortable draw. Maybe a Firebrands team here (sorry, Tania) and maybe G-12's weaker teams there. Well, there's good, and there's bad, and I think we got a tough one: Contact Sugar (for the 3rd time in two years!), Innebabes and Violets.
And Frontliners Skyline having me, June, Sonia and Yue Shern: none of the three having played in the first team before.
Hardly a recipe for success.
So I risked a big chunk in my pocket and promised them a treat at McD's if they'd just get through to the second round. I half-regretted my words after we won all three of our games (Violets: 2-0, Sugar: 2-0, Innebabes: 1-0). In the second round, we played Innechicks-- eventual champions: 1-1, Salichicks: 1-0, and Firebrands Mah: 3-0. Topped by Innechicks on goal difference.
And right after our last game, we were up against Contact Sugar in the semis, and the target, as in our first round, was not to concede more than 2.
Playing six games (6=48 minutes) with no substitutes showed very much in this game. I was walking when I should have been running, the challenges were half-hearted at most, and the shots were awful. The more I played, the bigger the court seemed, and the Serene-Sheryn partnership was what gave Sugar the victory.
We lost 0-1, fair enough.
And for bronze... we had to play Kaki Bangku of UniHawks. A team that played very pretty floorball (comparatively) but who contrived to hit anywhere but the goal in their game against Frontliners Fiorano, our second team. I swear the post had more touches than some of the Fiorano's.
I told my team to go out and 'just have fun'. No more targets, no more expectations. Just play.
I think we played our worst game ever, but we escaped with a 0-2 loss. It's like Kaki Bangku had 90% possession throughout, and their shots count more than doubled our pass count.
So?
It might not sound like the best Youthwave ever, especially with nothing to show after all that sweat. But what I've learnt from the past Youthwave's and Z-Liners is that winning; it's cool, but it's not all that.
Bringing together players who have little experience and really playing together, as one, as a team, gives you a sense of victory and achievement that even gold can't offer. Rising up above expectations and defying the odds, not because of individual skill, but because of what each of us sacrificed:
For Frontliners Skyline: Sonia, who guarded the goal and had black-and-blue knees to show for it; June, who faithfully stuck to her opponents and gave her teammates the chance to bang forward; and Yue Shern, who ran her heart out in front, often alone.
For Frontliners Fiorano: Yi Lin, Olga, Verina and Li-Ying, three of whom have never played in Youthwave before, to have battled and fought in that incredible game with Kaki Bangku, and to have come out with smiles on their faces even after losing all three games.
Yup.
Best Youthwave ever.
Showing posts with label Youthwave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Youthwave. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, April 21, 2008
Youthwave Floorball Tournament 2008
It was a memorable weekend for Frontliners Floorball Club as the ladies defended their title succesfully, and the men achieved a high of fourth place overall in the annual Youthwave Floorball Tournament.
There was no special preparation for this tournament, no target set, as participation here was solely to have fun. Anything else would be a bonus.
Frontliners Revolution
Khor Kuan Yang (c)
Steven Tay
SanJeevan
Por Kai Yann
Joshua Lam
Mekanath Selvaraj
The Revolutionaries, led by Captain Kuan Yang, had been drawn in the so-called 'Group of Death' containing Penang's top teams, Ztec U-18, Innebandy! North and Unihawks Titanium, but started off remarkably with a thrilling 1-0 win over the MetalMen. They went on to lose their second match 1-3 to InneNorth, but bounced back with a close-fought win over Ztec, 1-0, thus finishing runners-up in their group.
In the quarterfinals, they faced Underdawgs Zirconium, champions of their group, and in a heart-stopping encounter won on penalties after it was all square after eight minutes. It was looking unstoppable for them until they bumped into Salibandy in the semifinals, losing narrowly, and lost again in the 3rd-4th placing match to Innebandy.
Frontliners Renegades
Jason Chan (c)
Goekula Kannan
Nareenthiran
Loganathan
The Renegades were forced to play with no substitutes after a late pullout, but managed to defy expectations and reach the quarterfinals. They battled and fought for the entire eight minutes, but Torch Bearers from PCC triumphed 1-0 in their first match. However, they found themselves right back in contention after a convincing 3-0 win over Ztec Rockets, then managed to hold on to a goalless draw against Innebandy! South to enter the quarters.
Their valiant run finally came to an end against Salibandy, but the players were happy enough to just have gone past the group stage.
Frontliners InfernoTania Loke (c)
Sonia Frances Gopal
Eunice Tay
Marlina bt. Mat Yusof
Frontliners Inferno, against all odds, and two players short, came to within one point from qualifying for the semifinals. Nothing was expected of this second string side, and when their first game ended in a 1-4 loss to Underdawgs Hailstorm, it was all taken in stride. (The solitary goal was a very nice consolation, scored by Tania past ex-Frontliner Sarah Ng.) They shocked everyone, even themselves, when they beat Ztecaholics by a clear two goals in the next match with goals from Tania (penalty) after some good goalkeeping by Ztecaholic Kao Cui Lin, and Marlina, her first goal ever of her career.
Unlucky to have lost their third match to MGS Violets 0-1, the fatigued and exhausted ladies fought to the end against MGS Edna Modes, the third-placed team overall, and did themselves proud with a one-all draw after tremendous last-gasp defending by Sonia and a stab-in by Marlina. 
Frontliners Fury
Kew Pei Li (c)
Sharron Tan
Serene Tan
Koay Yi Lin
Roselyn Ewe
Lavinia Ann Lam
The defending champions (who went by the name Roses last time around) established themselves as the top ladies team this year with four new faces and a new captain. Drawn in the tougher group of the two, the Furies were probably still the favorites to win, and started well with a 2-1 win over MGS Dashes, with goals from Yi Lin and Pei Li (penalty). The next game against Unihawks Thunderstorm was messy and disorganized, as the need for revenge took over for some, remembering the 3v3 challenge earlier this year. The loss of Yi Lin to cramps (what else?) meant the loss of the team's focal point, and they went a goal down soon. They rallied back, and Roselyn scored a neat goal to make it 1-1.
Against Contact Puffs, the Furies came back from one goal down to one-up after Yi Lin and Roselyn combined to score two. And in their final game against Salichicks, they controlled possession and play but did not seem to have that finishing touch, still, 1-0 at the end after great team play by Serene and Yi Lin. A defeat for Unihawks by the Dashes helped the Furies to top spot in their group, with the Dashes going through agonisingly on goal difference.
Up against MGS Edna Modes in the semifinals, they ran riot and came out 3-0 winners, playing one of their best matches so far, with captain Pei Li scoring the first goal solo. Sharron rounded up the game with a thunderbolt from the other end. In the other game, MGS Dashes overcame a weary Hailstorm, and set it up perfectly for a rematch in the final.
"We've played well, but I know we can do better. We've come too far to lose here, so let's go out there and win this for the club."
It was an evenly contested game, but after an unfortunate own-goal gifted the Furies the lead, they never looked back. Another goal by Roselyn meant that it was all over. The final whistle went, and it meant that Frontliners Fury were the champions, once again.
Men:
1st- Torch Bearers
2nd-Salibandy
3rd-Innebandy
Ladies:
1st- Frontliners Fury
2nd-MGS Dashes
3rd-MGS Edna Modes
Congratulations.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Youthwave 2008: Quiet Before the Storm
Anticipation clouds the horizon as Youthwave Floorball Tournament 2008 draws nearer. Check the club blogs all over Penang. Nothing up, in posts or chatboxes except for some very obscure stuff (Cap'n E, ManYoo kicking Liverpool's butt and the Iron Lady's face paralysis). It's like no one knows what to expect out of this, presenting the dilemma:
To take this seriously or not?
Youthwave was established for wholly different reasons than the other tournaments that dot the calendar, for fun and fellowship rather than serious competition. No pressure is put on teams to perform in Youthwave, unlike Penang League. It doesn't matter, win or lose.
On the flipside, a gold is a gold, nothing changes that fact. Everyone likes to win (well, stating the obvious here..), everyone likes to have that gold-coated plastic medal hanging on them. Like Sports Day in school, where you know the medals you hold are meaningless, something your mom would throw away next year, but you just bask in the moment. Your moment.
So it's your choice whether to take it seriously or not, but there are a few things to remember:
1. Come on time (please!)
2. Don't leave anything behind
3. Come for the Youthwave Concert the next day (7.00pm, GBC)
4. Enjoy yourself
Frontliners will be sending four teams in again: Frontliners Revolution and Renegades (guys) and Frontliners Fury and Inferno (ladies). More on this to come after the tournament.
To take this seriously or not?
Youthwave was established for wholly different reasons than the other tournaments that dot the calendar, for fun and fellowship rather than serious competition. No pressure is put on teams to perform in Youthwave, unlike Penang League. It doesn't matter, win or lose.
On the flipside, a gold is a gold, nothing changes that fact. Everyone likes to win (well, stating the obvious here..), everyone likes to have that gold-coated plastic medal hanging on them. Like Sports Day in school, where you know the medals you hold are meaningless, something your mom would throw away next year, but you just bask in the moment. Your moment.
So it's your choice whether to take it seriously or not, but there are a few things to remember:
1. Come on time (please!)
2. Don't leave anything behind
3. Come for the Youthwave Concert the next day (7.00pm, GBC)
4. Enjoy yourself
Frontliners will be sending four teams in again: Frontliners Revolution and Renegades (guys) and Frontliners Fury and Inferno (ladies). More on this to come after the tournament.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Frontliners+Roses=Champions
*this post is written by fellow Frontliners Roses, Kew Pei Li, on her personal experience in YouthWave 2007.
A goal to savour and a gold to keep. Could it get any better?
Welcome to the 4th Youthwave Floorball Tournament. Welcome to this place where months (or days, for some) of hard training should pay off. Welcome to this place were dreams are born and legends made.
Welcome to my world.
My first inkling that this tournament would be different was when I first heard of my team's name: Frontliners 'Roses'. Sure, when I mentioned my disbelief at the name to Mr. Jason, he said the England rugby team were called the Roses, but has anyone ever noticed that anything to do with English sports just isn't successful?
Anyway.
The Roses walked through the entrance with high expectations by Mr. Jason (if you could call "having fun and showing the Frontliners' Spirit" expectations) and, I believe, each of our eyes (at least mine!) set on the ultimate prize.
*I know, Mr. Jason, there is no 'i' in 'team', but since this is my personal experience report... I'll just leave that principle out this time.*
Adrenaline pumping, I chose my spot at 8.30 only to be told that our first match would be sometime around eleven. What an anticlimax...
Come the first game... finally. Uni loyalties were thrown aside for a moment (not I, I'm only fourteen) as we faced off against the USM team of Minden Underdawgs. Still warming up (perhaps it's just me, I take some time to get going), the whole team seemed to be rather asleep (except, of course, for Ms. Reliable Sarah Ng) and we were lucky to get away with a win and not a draw.
With Sharron Tan defending the goal, Rosalyn and Alice helping her out, Sara Aida contesting strongly for every ball, Sarah the balancing fulcrum and creativity tap and me, Pei Li, pressuring and harassing (it's not as harsh as it sounds, believe me) our opponents, we blazed our way through to the fourth game (in the second one I scored!!!).
Confidence brimming, only the Innebabes were left unharmed by us. I decided the Roses would just pass by so fast that they wouldn't even notice we were gone.
But really, that didn't happen. The Roses matched the Babes stick for stick, and a goalless draw, I suppose, was more deserving.
And next... came the lunch break. Haha.
The semis game wasn't much; the only thing to watch out for was overconfidence. The real action was going on over the other court where the MGS Dashes were playing against the Innebabes. Wish I'd watched the full game...
Drawn with Innebabes again, this time in the finals (I won't go into details about how they got there). We had a second chance to prove to them that the lovely Roses did indeed have thorns. Before the game, our coach and Captain Marvel Sarah Ng eyeballed each of us and said:
'Do you wanna win? [Pauses for effect] I want to. We already came this far, so let's get the gold (although silver would still be okay). I want that gold.'
It worked. We stepped into the court and knew the gold was ours for the taking.
It was all pretty much of a blur, really. All I can vividly remember were the goals and the final whistle (coming to that later). The first goal, to me, was the most important as it relieved the huge tension hanging over us (we didn't want to go into penalties with a flat 0% conversion rate and the semis drama between the Dashes and the Babes) and caused some smiles at the striking simpleness of the strike by Sarah. The second goal by Sara Aida, sealed the game and we had only to wait for...
The final whistle! In the court I dropped my stick and rushed to the already-hugging Sarah and Rosalyn. Sharon and Sara Aida joined in soon afterward and we all just stood there, exhilarated that the Frontliners Roses were the champions of the tournament.
...Now all I want is the overdue nasi kandar water promised by Mr. Jason if we won. Oh, and of course, another gold next year... and the next... and so on.
A goal to savour and a gold to keep. Could it get any better?
Welcome to the 4th Youthwave Floorball Tournament. Welcome to this place where months (or days, for some) of hard training should pay off. Welcome to this place were dreams are born and legends made.
Welcome to my world.
My first inkling that this tournament would be different was when I first heard of my team's name: Frontliners 'Roses'. Sure, when I mentioned my disbelief at the name to Mr. Jason, he said the England rugby team were called the Roses, but has anyone ever noticed that anything to do with English sports just isn't successful?
Anyway.
The Roses walked through the entrance with high expectations by Mr. Jason (if you could call "having fun and showing the Frontliners' Spirit" expectations) and, I believe, each of our eyes (at least mine!) set on the ultimate prize.
*I know, Mr. Jason, there is no 'i' in 'team', but since this is my personal experience report... I'll just leave that principle out this time.*
Adrenaline pumping, I chose my spot at 8.30 only to be told that our first match would be sometime around eleven. What an anticlimax...
Come the first game... finally. Uni loyalties were thrown aside for a moment (not I, I'm only fourteen) as we faced off against the USM team of Minden Underdawgs. Still warming up (perhaps it's just me, I take some time to get going), the whole team seemed to be rather asleep (except, of course, for Ms. Reliable Sarah Ng) and we were lucky to get away with a win and not a draw.
With Sharron Tan defending the goal, Rosalyn and Alice helping her out, Sara Aida contesting strongly for every ball, Sarah the balancing fulcrum and creativity tap and me, Pei Li, pressuring and harassing (it's not as harsh as it sounds, believe me) our opponents, we blazed our way through to the fourth game (in the second one I scored!!!).
Confidence brimming, only the Innebabes were left unharmed by us. I decided the Roses would just pass by so fast that they wouldn't even notice we were gone.
But really, that didn't happen. The Roses matched the Babes stick for stick, and a goalless draw, I suppose, was more deserving.
And next... came the lunch break. Haha.
The semis game wasn't much; the only thing to watch out for was overconfidence. The real action was going on over the other court where the MGS Dashes were playing against the Innebabes. Wish I'd watched the full game...
Drawn with Innebabes again, this time in the finals (I won't go into details about how they got there). We had a second chance to prove to them that the lovely Roses did indeed have thorns. Before the game, our coach and Captain Marvel Sarah Ng eyeballed each of us and said:
'Do you wanna win? [Pauses for effect] I want to. We already came this far, so let's get the gold (although silver would still be okay). I want that gold.'
It worked. We stepped into the court and knew the gold was ours for the taking.
It was all pretty much of a blur, really. All I can vividly remember were the goals and the final whistle (coming to that later). The first goal, to me, was the most important as it relieved the huge tension hanging over us (we didn't want to go into penalties with a flat 0% conversion rate and the semis drama between the Dashes and the Babes) and caused some smiles at the striking simpleness of the strike by Sarah. The second goal by Sara Aida, sealed the game and we had only to wait for...
The final whistle! In the court I dropped my stick and rushed to the already-hugging Sarah and Rosalyn. Sharon and Sara Aida joined in soon afterward and we all just stood there, exhilarated that the Frontliners Roses were the champions of the tournament.
...Now all I want is the overdue nasi kandar water promised by Mr. Jason if we won. Oh, and of course, another gold next year... and the next... and so on.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Youthwave 2007
The much anticipated Youthwave Floorball tournament 2007 has finally been over. The Frontliners Floorball Club sent in 4 teams(2 boys team and 2 girls team) to represent them in the tournament.
The Frontliners contingent consist of team
Frontliners Genesis [Jason(c), Kuan Yang, Kai Yann, Daniel, Kannan, San Jeevan]
Frontliners Exodus [Joshua(c), Mekananth, Christopher, Chin Guan, Nareen, Ilaya]
Frontliners Roses [Sarah Ng(c), Sarah Aida, Roselyn, Alice Ong, Sharron Tan, Pei Li]
Frontliners Carnations [Shafiqah(c), Yi Lin, June Kew, Zi Yin, Tabitha]
Coach Jason has set the target this year, "GUYS... lets be realistic. Even if we sent our best team in, man for man... we can't match the big teams around. So lets set a realistic target. This year, we will aim to be the 4th in the group league out of 7 teams. That is all that is expected."
Team Frontliners Genesis achieved the target of 4th in group league, with 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 lost. Unfortunately Frontliners Exodus, didn't manage to hit the target. They only won 1 game and lost the rest.
Asked on how he felt about the whole tournament, Kai Yann answered," quite syiok because i got to score 2 goals". Technical Advisor showed the everyone why he was appointed the technical Advisor. He was the engine behind team Genesis. The creative force that penetrates the defenses. He scored some important goals and made a lot of assists.
Coach Jason comments,"I think(refering to team Exodus) its got something to do with inexperience. We've got lots of inexperienced players. But overall, Im glad that everyone had fun. Though the price for experience can be painful. I believe that the boys will get wiser after this. "
"Team Exodus seem to be quite down. But I think such experience is important to make them humble. One day when they become better, they will remember where they started."says coach Jason.
Team Frontliners Carnations which consists of totally new players in the game(except for Shafiqah, the rest are very very raw in floorball) did well above expectations. They miraculously won the first game, drew 2 games and lost only 1 game in their group games.
The captain scored one of the nicest goals in the tournament. She did a "Beckham" style lobbing the ball from the defense line all the way, passing through the opponents and went into the goal.
Asked on whether last year was better or this year, Yi Lin answered " Hmm... this year lah. Cause this year I managed to score a goal. "
Team Frontliners Roses emerged as the girls category CHAMPIONS. Congratulations to the girls. Thanks to the wonderful display by captain marvel, Sarah Ng. Looks like the hard work finally paid off.
"I have to say, Im very proud of the girls. A blend of experience and youth made this victory possible. Thanks to the decision to separate the girls and guys, we are now able to see new and interesting girls representing us in the tournament. It was worth the try. "says coach Jason.
At the end of the day, coach Jason finally announce that he will step down from being the Frontliners coach. Some of the players were shocked to hear his announcement.
"Its been a joy to coach all of you" said Jason to all the players with an emotional tone.
Asked by several players to explain his decision, coach Jason answered,
" All of you that are here, have lots of potential. You may not good now, but I know you can go the distance. That potential needs to be challenged or else it will lie dormant. It is time for a better coach with more specialized knowledge, skills and experience in floorball to bring all of you to the next level."
"I will still be around. I will still be amongst all of you. Playing and fighting on the courts with you. If you need my help on floorball, you can always contact me. Im always willing to help. I love this club very much, and if I have to make way for a better candidate, I will do it for the good of the team. "
Jason however will still be managing the club. Kuan Yang, the technical advisor has been promoted as the next coach for the Frontliners floorball club. We believe that with his accumulated experiences in the State-level circuit, the Frontliners will benefit under his tutelage. Asked to give a speech, newly appointed Coach Kuan Yang merely uttered with a shy tone "JUST COME FOR TRAINING LAH !!! "
Penang Open Challenge will be up next in 19th and 20th May 2007. We will be looking forward to the future. OOOOOOOO FRONTLINERS !!!!!!!!!!!!
The Frontliners contingent consist of team
Frontliners Genesis [Jason(c), Kuan Yang, Kai Yann, Daniel, Kannan, San Jeevan]
Frontliners Exodus [Joshua(c), Mekananth, Christopher, Chin Guan, Nareen, Ilaya]
Frontliners Roses [Sarah Ng(c), Sarah Aida, Roselyn, Alice Ong, Sharron Tan, Pei Li]
Frontliners Carnations [Shafiqah(c), Yi Lin, June Kew, Zi Yin, Tabitha]
Coach Jason has set the target this year, "GUYS... lets be realistic. Even if we sent our best team in, man for man... we can't match the big teams around. So lets set a realistic target. This year, we will aim to be the 4th in the group league out of 7 teams. That is all that is expected."
Team Frontliners Genesis achieved the target of 4th in group league, with 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 lost. Unfortunately Frontliners Exodus, didn't manage to hit the target. They only won 1 game and lost the rest.
Asked on how he felt about the whole tournament, Kai Yann answered," quite syiok because i got to score 2 goals". Technical Advisor showed the everyone why he was appointed the technical Advisor. He was the engine behind team Genesis. The creative force that penetrates the defenses. He scored some important goals and made a lot of assists.
Coach Jason comments,"I think(refering to team Exodus) its got something to do with inexperience. We've got lots of inexperienced players. But overall, Im glad that everyone had fun. Though the price for experience can be painful. I believe that the boys will get wiser after this. "
"Team Exodus seem to be quite down. But I think such experience is important to make them humble. One day when they become better, they will remember where they started."says coach Jason.
Team Frontliners Carnations which consists of totally new players in the game(except for Shafiqah, the rest are very very raw in floorball) did well above expectations. They miraculously won the first game, drew 2 games and lost only 1 game in their group games.
The captain scored one of the nicest goals in the tournament. She did a "Beckham" style lobbing the ball from the defense line all the way, passing through the opponents and went into the goal.
Asked on whether last year was better or this year, Yi Lin answered " Hmm... this year lah. Cause this year I managed to score a goal. "
Team Frontliners Roses emerged as the girls category CHAMPIONS. Congratulations to the girls. Thanks to the wonderful display by captain marvel, Sarah Ng. Looks like the hard work finally paid off.
"I have to say, Im very proud of the girls. A blend of experience and youth made this victory possible. Thanks to the decision to separate the girls and guys, we are now able to see new and interesting girls representing us in the tournament. It was worth the try. "says coach Jason.
At the end of the day, coach Jason finally announce that he will step down from being the Frontliners coach. Some of the players were shocked to hear his announcement.
"Its been a joy to coach all of you" said Jason to all the players with an emotional tone.
Asked by several players to explain his decision, coach Jason answered,
" All of you that are here, have lots of potential. You may not good now, but I know you can go the distance. That potential needs to be challenged or else it will lie dormant. It is time for a better coach with more specialized knowledge, skills and experience in floorball to bring all of you to the next level."
"I will still be around. I will still be amongst all of you. Playing and fighting on the courts with you. If you need my help on floorball, you can always contact me. Im always willing to help. I love this club very much, and if I have to make way for a better candidate, I will do it for the good of the team. "
Jason however will still be managing the club. Kuan Yang, the technical advisor has been promoted as the next coach for the Frontliners floorball club. We believe that with his accumulated experiences in the State-level circuit, the Frontliners will benefit under his tutelage. Asked to give a speech, newly appointed Coach Kuan Yang merely uttered with a shy tone "JUST COME FOR TRAINING LAH !!! "
Penang Open Challenge will be up next in 19th and 20th May 2007. We will be looking forward to the future. OOOOOOOO FRONTLINERS !!!!!!!!!!!!
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