Inaugural Breakers Handball Invitational takes off

Contributed by reader Loh Wei Lin. Photos by reader Choe Yiying

NUS Sports & Recreation Centre, May 14-15, 2010 – The inaugural 2010 Breakers Handball Invitational got off the ground last weekend with a mix of club and school teams taking to the handball courts in NUS.

Organized by Breakers Handball Club, the invitational brings together two events, a Women’s Open League that is held from May 15th to 30th, and a Men’s Open Carnival scheduled for May 29th.

League Day 1

Breakers 30 NYJC 3
The opening match of the tournament saw the hosts, Breakers, meet a fledgling team from Nanyang Junior College. The NYJC team was a mix of current students and alumni, coached by NYJC alumnus, Mr Yeoh Qing Huan.

Although the final scoreline read 30-3 in favour of Breakers, this only reflected the gulf of experience between the two teams, with Breakers consisting of many experienced handballers. The team from NYJC showed flashes of brilliance in their attack and shooting and promise of becoming a real team to be reckoned with in the following years.

NYJC coach, Mr Yeoh, reflected after his team’s match: “Encouraging performance from the NYJC girls bearing in mind that they knew nothing about Handball just 3 months back. The spirit of sharing and friendship from Breakers was also very encouraging for the young players. We look forward to learning and improving as the tournament goes on.”

League Day 2

Match 1 – Breakers 35 NTU 9
The second day of the tournament pitted the team from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) against Breakers. The team from NTU, though youthful in experience, capitalized on their fitness and stamina to take on the more experienced team. They went in strong by launching quick counter attacks and powerful shooting from distance, many of them finding the back of the net.

NTU goalkeeper Clarissa Ng deserves special mention for her extraordinary display in the second half of the game, where her daring saves and spectacular reflexes shut Breakers out for long periods of the game. The fluid play and teamwork eventually clinched the game for Breakers with the scoreline decided at 35-9.

NTU coach Mr Tan Kok Kwang had this to say after the match: “I think the NTU girls put up a credible performance against Breakers, converting many of the chances into goals. The girls are looking forward to the remaining games, especially against other newly formed teams in the league.”

Match 2 – Temasek Hall 7 NYJC 5 (game suspended)
The first half was closely fought, as both teams displayed good attempts on goal and hard defence. The NYJC team also seemed to have raised the ante from the previous day and was bringing the game to Temasek Hall with their drives and shots.

The Temasek Hall Team themselves replied with fast breaks and well organized attacks. Unfortunately the weather which had threatened all morning finally decided to rain down hard on the courts. The second half of the match was thus suspended till the following Saturday, with the score of the first half being very tight at 7-5 in favour of Temasek Hall.

About Breakers Handball Club
The club was formed in October 2009 by a group of experiences handball enthusiasts who desire to continue playing and promoting handball to the community. Handball is one of the most popular sport in Europe (after soccer) and is one of the fastest growing sports in Northern Asia and Africa. It is a very fast, dynamic and exciting game that that requires athleticism, strength and stamina, great fitness and most of all, teamwork.