Super Sunday

Last Sunday’s message was about Pentecostal Sunday. Text taken was from Acts 2:1-21. Our senior pastor mentioned that there are three important truths that we can learn from these scriptures if we want our church to grow.

1.       Unity

2.       Prayer

3.       Repentance

I instantly texted Sam when he mentioned those 3 points. I told him excitedly, “This can also be linked to our 3ICs”.

1.       Unity – Inner Circle

2.       Prayer – Independent Culture

3.       Repentance – Insane Courage

Besides this, I have also another confirmation regarding the vision of Innebandy!Co, that is ‘to be an influencer and a role model’. For months I’ve been debating with myself, is this the right direction for the club and the other Bandy!Cos. Many times I hesitated to publish this statement because to be honest, it sounds cheesy and lame. For me, there is not much depth, unlike our training philosophies and law of victory. So I prayed and asked God for His wisdom and guidance.

Days passes, weeks passed and months passed, still no answer. Nothing. Elek pocik. I almost gave up waiting and wanting to change the vision statement as Cui Lin re-design the banner for our club’s blog. But a still small voice insisted that the vision statement should remain and just have faith. It was hard but I just believe and obeyed.

  

And on the same Sunday when the “3ICs” were shared, the banner at the side of the sanctuary just jumped out from the wall. It has been there for more than a year but it never gave me that kinda excitement even though it is church’s theme verse and vision for the year. ><

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

If you were to summarize this verse into 8 words, it would be ‘TO BE AN INFLUENCER AND A ROLE MODEL’. We are to be reminded of how precious and exclusive we all are to God, imagine God saying we are HIS own special people and we are specifically chosen into His marvelous light. If we are what God says we are, we should automatically be an influencer and a role model because how can one be a royal priesthood or a holy nation when you’re not exactly a good influence or a role model? And of course all this cannot be achieved with our own strength but by the grace of God. That is why the Bandy!Co exist to help people know that they are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light thus making them an influencer and a role model among their family, peers, friends and society.

Remember how I said the vision statement sounds cheesy and lame, I am also reminded that the vision statement is just like a tip of an iceberg. If you really study and understand it, the magnitude and the depth of the vision is like an iceberg hidden beneath the sea. It's really hugeeeeee and full of substance!  

I was almost blown out of my sit that Sunday, I did not just get a confirmation regarding the vision but a revelation that Innebandy!Co’s vision is consistent with our church’s vision and that really gave me peace from within. Now I know, we’re in the right direction and I am 100% confident with the vision set for the club.

All glory to Jesus.

Innebandy!Co 2012

Merdeka Cup State Selections

Last Tuesday I was at Balik Pulau Sports Complex for a physical test. It's the minimum requirement for those who wants to be shortlisted for the Penang Floorball state team, as we will be playing against Selangor this coming 31st August 2012. It has been a while since I went up there for trainings, ever since senior players were no longer required.

Being around the younger players made me feel really senior. Talked to a few of them and they really put high expectations on me which can be good and vice versa. They expected me to complete the test like 'water'. I told them, my strength is more towards endurance and not boom boom pow stuff. =) Nonetheless, I've trained and prepared for this test. I did my own homework weeks prior to this.

I've completed 3 rounds on the list of workout announced to us. #2 Training philosophy of Innebandy!Co is Independent Culture, I didn't wanna go for the test unprepared and not knowing what to expect. I take this seriously because I want to be a part of the state team. On the other hand, Jason Chew failed the test at 8.0 and he was giving excuses from A - Z on why he couldn't meet the target. So I asked him, did you practice on your own? Did you train independently? Of course his answer was no. Sometimes I wonder, why people expect to receive (increments, bonus, promotion, good result, etc) when they don't give (hard work, dedication, homework, etc). This doesn't just apply in sports but in other aspect of life as well.

I told him, talent itself is not enough, you need to go further to enhance your talent or your gift. I am not the best floorballer or triathlete in the world but I know I am always putting effort to better than yesterday  but not as good as tomorrow. =)

Overall, the test was okay. The only tough parts were the beep test and bur-pees (if it is done correctly). I managed to beat the minimum mark of 8.5 and finished 9.9. Not really that impressive, but I'm happy with the result for now. There were unconfirmed rumors that some athletes have completed the whole 23 levels of the test, which is highly unlikely. They say, top elite endurance athletes would be expected to reach up to level 19. In another source I found said David Beckham reached level 16. Can you imagine David Beckham doing beep test? fuh!

Independent Culture leads to Success

Ride With The Boys

Last Sunday, Darien, Jason and myself went for a ride from my house to Teluk Bahang. Approximate distance covered was 46km in a snail speed of almost two hours. It wasn't really a training ride but a leisure one since it was our first time doing it together. The ride touches on all 3 training philosophies of Innebandy!Co and it's a good reminder to myself on how this actually works.

Inner Circle

A player’s potential is determined by those closest to him

Darien will be doing this first OD triathlon in July and even though he doesn't admit this, I still think he is doing this because of my influence towards him. True story. That made him train hard for the race and when I cycled with him, I could see his determination to keep up with me. We're in that inner circle because we're more than just friends, we're teammates as well. And it made me push him to be better and stronger, vice versa. I don't want him to beat my time in Port Dickson this coming July, that makes me wanna train harder as well. Besides training together, we have a great time of fellowship + laughing at our good friend Jason. But one thing I admire about Darien last Sunday was, he was supportive and encouraging. When we reached the top of the dam he told me, we gotta go cheer for Jason. That is inner circle, caring for your teammates while competing.

Darien

Independent Culture

A team’s strength relies on the strengths of the individual

This is our off-season since our Floorball league has just ended but that didn't stop us from continuing to improve ourselves. If we continue doing this independently, no doubt when we come back for next season's league, we would be stronger, faster and better prepared. It's all your own initiative. It would easier if you have your inner circle to motivate you.

Jason and I

Insane Courage
The difference between impossible and possible lies in a person’s determination

Jason is so proud that he completed the ride with a folding bicycle. And his timing is not so bad, about 5minutes behind us? Quite good. Even though he knows he will be the odd one because we both were using a road bike. He did not stop trying to stay at our pace. He kept on pushing, and when he climb that last slope up the dam, he said he gave all he got. That is pure determination which equals to insane courage.

Insane Jason

This may look like a simple formula that I've came up with but boy, this is the most practical and simplest form of mental exercise to keep improving your game, whether its floorball, futsal, bowling, triathlons, etc. 

Taking a break while admiring the view

Honestly I had a great time together with the boys, they are so fortunate to enjoy all this at such young age. I wish I started certain things in life earlier. Oh...one more thing, on our way home, I hit a pot hole and punctured my rear tire. However, I still manage to cycle back home. Such a miracle but a pain in my pocket again.Looking forward for more. Not the punctured part but the rides. ^^

3 bikes that went up the hill; Ima, Maddog & Foldie

We Are The Champions My Friends

And we'll keep on fighting till the end. That's just exactly what Team LiveStrong did. They fought till the very end and that made me a proud coach. Congratulations to team Elite under the guidance of head Coach Sam Teoh.

Last week was the finale of Penang Floorball League for Div 1 and 2. I am a happy manager, coach and player of Innebandy!Co as we clinched the champions title for both divisions. On top of that 4 players from Innebandy!Co were selected as All Star. Haiya...didn't take picture of that. sigh.

Below are some of the pictures we took that night.

Pei Yi, Darien and Jason

Jason and Bryan (All star forward)

Happy cute Daniel Wong

Head Coach Sam also All star defender

Jason and I

Ter Min (All star forward) and I

Me

On a personal note, it was a good league for me. I did not expect to contribute that much to my team. Like I said in my previous post, this year is a comeback year for me and I did achieve the target set. Again, I would like to thank God for still giving me the strength and courage to walk and run. All glory goes to Him.

Innebandy!Co (Team Elite & Team LiveStrong) 1 - 1 Contact/Firebrands

Our last match against Contact was the toughest for the me. I really gave everything I have that night but it wasn't good enough. I guess I wasn't playing smart enough, I was too eager to win the ball back every time we lose it. Coach Sam did ask me to slow down as I was being lured by our opponents to play their game. But the temptation to run after the ball was just too much for me to resist. I literally ran till my legs turn jelly, falling on the ground quite a few times. I was mainly fueled by my mental strength during our last period; reciting the 7LOV in my mind while sitting on the bench. It was intense and gruesome.

Both teams played really well, I guess our opponent was ready to take us down that night, their spirit was high so was their goalie, Benson. He was on form. Seriously good! Shots after shots were talking at him, but we just could not find the net. This is the only gave that gave me muscle ache the next day!

I'm happy that Division 1 is finally over and it was another successful campaign for Innebandy!Co, 6wins and a draw is enough to secure our position as champions again. Sam scored the only goal for the night and to be honest, he wasn't on my goal scorer list. However, that was a superb goal. =) He posted, "feels good to score the last goal of the league for the team.all glory goes to God who sustained me and covered me from all injuries! not gettin a 2mins in a season for the first time was the bonus" in his Facebook.

LiveStrong was held back 1 - 1 by Firebrands. It was an unexpected result. But it's okay, we will be back in full force to claim our victory next week. We just need a win and that would give us a high chance to top the table in Division 2. If that really happens, it's double the sweetness and joy for me.

Team Elite & Team LiveStrong 2012 picture courtesy of Sally Giam

I like what Joseph commented about this picture. He said, "everyone looks good :) innebendians :)" I totally agree with him, everyone is so awesomely good looking. =)

Innebandy!Co (Team Elite) 9 - 0 Ztec

This is the biggest goal margin we've ever won against Ztec. Below are the past results and my simple analysis:

2009
Innebandy!Co 2 - 5 Ztec (LOST)
The team consisted of Saiful, Hafiz, Jeremy, Jun Wooi, Ter Min, Drew, Jo Wyee, Daniel C & Oliver. I remembered stepping on court having cold sweat when playing against these giants. They were unbeatable with the pool of high quality players. 

2010
Innebandy!Co 5 - 5 Ztec (DREW)
The team did not include Saiful, Hafiz & Jeremy. It was a decider match and we were really disappointed that the last goal was allowed, causing us the league title for the year.

2011
Innebandy!Co 8 - 3 Ztec (WON)
The team did not include Saiful, Hafiz, Jeremy, Jun Wooi Ter Min. We got stronger with no significant transfer of players out/in of the team.

2012
Innebandy!Co 9 - 0 Ztec (WON) The team did not include Saiful, Hafiz, Jeremy, Ter Min, Drew, Jo Wyee, Jun Wooi, Daniel C & Oliver.

I like what our senior pastor shared few months ago. He said, "Let's use our rich history as a springboard for the future". I rarely take down sermon notes but this was an exception because it speaks to me and to our club. We have been in the Floorball scene since 2003 and I'm proud to say we're one of the most consistent Floorball team in Penang and Malaysia. Producing consistent results all year long.

And the secret to our success is the leaders and the players of the club. No significant changes each year, thus bringing forward our developed skills and momentum to the following year together as a team. Our players and culture is definitely our 'springboard' to bring us to a higher level. I am not satisfied with where we're at now, I want to go higher.

Ztec is a good club and we have a special relationship with the coach and the players there but they simply couldn't maintain their consistency of 'seasoned' players causing them their 'fall'. It's a waste to see players leaving their respective clubs due to studies/work commitment, etc It happened to Innebandy!Co before, but our leaders were tough and creative enough to pull through it. I dedicate our victory to our leaders, players and fans who has been with us from the time of Blazing Eagles (2003).