SINGAPORE – After a second-round exit in the 2023 B Division girls’ floorball competition, Swiss Cottage Secondary School were determined to not let history repeat itself in this season’s National School Games.

They introduced self-directed training sessions on Saturday mornings, organised more individualised sessions to improve their technical abilities and also played friendlies.

On April 29, they tasted the fruits of their labour, defeating Orchid Park Secondary School 7-2 at Our Tampines Hub to reclaim the title they last won in 2022.

Captain Shannon Lin, 16, said: “I’m proud of the team, it wasn’t easy making it all the way to the final. To be honest, last year we had high expectations and were very down after the defeat. 

“We blamed ourselves for the mistakes that happened, but we bounced back together as a team, including spending more time together to bond.”

That included reaching school at 9am on Saturdays for training.

“I could see the team’s dedication to wake up that early during the weekends,” she said. “That has really paid off.”

Coach Nahendran Alagappan, 34, added: “They started asking questions, so from there they’re always learning more.”

Swiss Cottage were pegged back twice in the opening stages, but soon took control, leading 3-2 after the first period. They extended their advantage to 5-2 in the second and never relinquished it.

Maharani Kirana, who scored thrice, had the flu and fever the day before competition. But the Secondary 3 student overcame the setback and contributed significantly to the team’s win.

She said: “Today, I had the mindset to score goals so we can be champions. I knew everyone wanted to play well, so I also gave my all. (The goals) were unexpected, because I was tired and couldn’t even pay attention when the goals went in, but I just did my best.”

Nahendran said while they managed Kirana’s minutes, she insisted on playing on.

Another goalscorer, Esther Tham, 16, said: “After the (2023) loss I felt very disappointed, I thought I could do better and this year, I was determined to win with the team.”

Noting that everyone was “confident with the ball”, Orchid Park captain Izzah Nasirah said: “We didn’t give up until the end.”

In the boys’ final, Victoria School avenged their 8-7 quarter-final defeat by St Gabriel’s Secondary School two weeks earlier.

They emerged 7-3 victors to retain the title won against the same opponents.

Captain Ryan Tan said: “During the quarter-finals, we lost to them but we reset and worked harder... to achieve our goal of winning the championship.

“From my perspective, we were too complacent then and let our guard down.

“But today, we came in with a fresher mindset. We showed more fight, and left our blood and sweat on this court.”

The 16-year-old, together with Zave Leong and Zacchaeus Seow, scored twice each.

Ryan and Zave were not selected during the quarter-final loss.

Zave said: “We didn’t play the quarter-final so we didn’t know if both of us will have an impact on the team today, but in the end the team did well together so I’m very happy.”

Ryan also credited his team’s communication, highlighting that everyone stepped up despite being one man down on several occasions. In fact, Victoria’s first goal was scored despite having only four players on court.

Coach Jatin Nair admitted the road to the final, which included several losses, was not easy.

“But they were very composed today, stuck to the game plan, and I really enjoyed the finishing, it was quite incredible,” he added.

St Gabriel’s captain Khoo Reyshaun said the team’s mentality was right, adding: “We didn’t perform up to our standards, but we’ll come back from this.”