SINGAPORE – Just a month after her second SEA Games outing in Cambodia in May, Singapore women’s indoor hockey goalkeeper Phua Min Tze, 52, was itching for competitive action again.
And opportunity came knocking for the veteran, when she linked up with teammates Ping Tan and Maxine Chia to form Singapore’s first women’s masters hockey team, which comprises locals and expatriates aged 40 and above.
The team of 18 players then spent the following months juggling work and family commitments to train for the Asian Continental Cup in Hong Kong.
On Nov 26, their efforts paid off as the over-40 team emerged as champions in the regional tournament, fending off stiff competition from hosts Hong Kong, South Korea and China. The men’s over-40 and over-50 teams won bronze medals in the same tournament.
Their Cup campaign appeared to be over after losses to South Korea and Hong Kong in the group stages, but the Singapore women progressed to an elimination tie against Korea.
With the contest ending goalless in regulation time, it was Phua who came to the rescue with four key saves in a thrilling penalty shoot-out as they prevailed 2-1 to progress to the final.
Phua told The Straits Times: “During the shoot-out, my sole focus was on staying upright and agile, as coach Blaza (Wayne Blazejczyk) had emphasised.
“My fellow goalkeeper buddy Sally said to me: ‘We can do it!’ We were determined to win this especially after many months of preparation and sacrifice.”
Singapore went on to beat Hong Kong 1-0 in the tightly contested final to avenge their earlier defeats.
Irishwoman Rachel Flynn, 43, who scored Singapore’s winning goal, said: “It’s hard to describe but, in the moment, my head was totally clear. Once I heard the bang on the backboard I just ran to find Priscilla (Koh), who had set the goal up.
“The entire squad’s effort produced the outcome and that feeling of achieving something together is what keeps me playing team sports. Winning gold representing your chosen country is something on the next level. It means a lot.”
While the masters team were officially formed only in June 2023, the idea for a social group consisting of women veterans was mooted at the 2022 Hockey 5s Pesta Sukan Cup.
Flynn had learnt about it from Tan, Chia and teammate Jocelyn Teh, who were trying to grow the masters community in Singapore, and interest gradually picked up.
Phua, who won a bronze at the 2001 SEA Games, said: “Personally, it’s about staying active, fighting obesity, and ageing in a strong, fun and purposeful manner.
“The SEA games is a celebration of youth and athleticism, while the masters is about encouraging participation and enjoying our game with better maturity.
“It is a different world, both unique and fulfilling. But for the common goals of showcasing women in sport, having an active sporting culture through different age groups and wanting to make Singapore proud.”
The team will get another chance to don national colours at the Outdoor World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2024. Coach Blazejczyk is optimistic about his charges’ chances at the international tournament.
“The World Cup is certainly the main stage for this team and I think they can perform very well,” he said.
“It will be a step up with all the big hockey nations of the world competing. But, with hard work and the commitment these ladies and their families have shown, I believe anything is possible for the team.”
