MOMENT OF TRUTH FOR NEW APPROACH

Floorball men can show at world qualifiers results of overhauled training methods

- Ervin Ang

Heart-rate monitors, a statistics-based selection criteria and preplanned training schedules.

These initiatives have been introduced by Singapore men's floorball coach Sonia Chia to improve the Republic's results on the international stage.

Since 2010, the Republic have qualified for every edition of the biennial men's World Floorball Championship (WFC) bar 2014. However, they finished last in all six appearances. After clinching the gold medal on home soil at the 2015 SEA Games, they finished second and third in the 2019 and 2023 editions respectively.

Chia, who was appointed following the 2023 SEA Games, told The Straits Times: "If we have been doing something for the last five years and it has not been working, then I think that implies a change (is needed)." 

At the May 21-25 Asia-Oceania WFC qualifiers in Pasig, the Philippines, Chia is aiming not only to finish in the top three which would guarantee a spot in the Finals in Sweden, but also to win the eight-team event. The Republic are in Group F with Australia, China and Japan.

The 40-year-old said: "Performances have been stagnant for a while. This tournament will be good to see how we changed the programme and if we are doing the right actions.