Treading Through Thick and Thin: NSG 2026 Boys’ Water Polo

Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Mary Tu (27S06O) and Tan Yun Jun (27S03M)

All photographs provided by Xu Fengxuan (27S03M), Zhu Jiajia Christine (27S03G) and Zhu Taiwu (26S06K) from RIAC

Pre-game

11.15am, 14 April 2026: The bus carrying classes of Rafflesians hisses to a stop at Our Tampines Hub, doors sliding open to unload the match supporters that will be cheering on the Boys’ Water Polo team at their NSG finals in minutes. Some clutch onto creative boards adorned with pictures and personalised messages to support their friends in the match.

11.28am, at the grandstands overlooking the swimming pool: The Rafflesian match supporters ramp up the noise with a hearty Rafblood cheer. Hwa Chong Institution, not to be outdone, responds with one of their own cheers. School spirit was coursing through every individual’s veins as they geared up for the NSG finals.

*Some Rafflesians showing their school pride by painting themselves with the school colours*

11.29am: Splashes announce the players’ entrance into the pool, filling the air with the smell of chlorine. The atmosphere instantly electrifies, and all eyes are on the fourteen players lining up in the pool: seven in white caps, and seven in black.

11.30am: The whistle is blown on the dot. The calm surface of the water is immediately thrown into a flurry as all fourteen players surge towards the centre of the pool, focused entirely on the red-and-yellow ball that has just been thrown into the arena.

The game has begun.

Quarter 1

Hwa Chong wins the swim-off (sprint to gain first possession of the ball at the start of each quarter), and despite team Raffles’ brief fightback, they score the first goal. An intense battle for the ball follows, with a few missed shots from Raffles.

An opportunity presents itself as Raffles is given a penalty shot. Their captain, Ahmad Irfan Kaysan Bin Ahmad Mudzakkir (26S03E), scores their first goal, causing the grandstands to erupt in jubilant cries.

HCI won’t go down easily, though, and fights back with a crucial goal. The two teams battle for points, but the whistle blows. Time is up—the first quarter is over.

HCI 2, RI 1

Quarter 2

After a brief break, RI wins the subsequent swim-off. The game picks up pace quickly, with numerous rapid-fire shots that leave the players and supporters with no time to relax.

Team Raffles is the first to break the chain of missed shots. Player 7 (Qays Rifqy Bin Rohaizad, 27S03G) propels himself across the length of the pool with startling speed, straight for the opponent’s goal, before making a clean shot to earn his team a point.

The tides quickly turn with a penalty score for HCI. In the remaining four minutes, both teams exchange blows and pull off 2 points each. The quarter ends in a tie, but Hwa Chong’s previous advantage persists.

HCI 5, RI 4

Quarter 3

The next quarter starts with HCI being, unfortunately for RI, awarded a penalty shot in which they promptly score. Despite the setback, Team Raffles pushes on relentlessly, with Player 6 (Samuel Neo Seh Jin, 26A01A) bringing the points back to an even match in a penalty shoot of their own.

As the clock ticks, it is a race against time to pull away from the tight clutches of HCI. Every break is peppered with intense discussion between the coaches and players, to refine their play and gain an edge. Alas, the quarter ends with both teams scoring 2 goals each.

*Players take a much-needed break while discussing their strategy*

HCI 7, RI 6

Quarter 4

The nerve-wracking final quarter starts with HCI winning the swim-off yet again, and following through with it to earn them another point ahead of us. RI fights back as Player 4 (Afraz Bin Khairulddin, 27S03M) scores a point, but HCI is able to regain their advantage with another point.

*Player 4 (Afraz Bin Khairulddin, 27S03M) taking his shot*

Raffles won’t back down easily though, and Player 4 pulls off another shot to even out their score. The two teams engage in an intense tug-of-war of points, with HCI scoring two points in a row and RI doing the same in the last 2 minutes of the game. Despite their valiant efforts, the single-point advantage that HCI had built up in the first quarter sealed the deal for the green black and white team.

HCI 11, RI 10

Post-game Reflections

After the game, the players gradually emerged from the pool, visibly crestfallen by the outcome. Pats on the back and words of consolation were exchanged as applause from the RI spectators reverberated through the grandstands. Despite the outcome, the effort that the players had put into fighting tooth and nail until the very last second filled the supporters with an immense sense of pride.

*Despite the heartbreak, the players demonstrated their team spirit by comforting each other*

This unwavering support did not go unnoticed. Even a week later, Lim Bing Ze Triston (27S03D) and Samuel Neo still remember the sea of supporters fondly, expressing their appreciation towards them.

“I started to notice just how many people had come down to support us—our seniors, coaches, ex-coaches, teachers and friends—and it really meant a lot knowing that so many of them had taken the time and effort to be there for us.”
Lim Bing Ze Triston (27S03D)

This NSG season has been a hard-fought and meaningful experience for the players. Preparation was tough, yet every individual was fully committed to the process. Players would analyse matches on their own, take notes and even organise self-initiated discussions to improve. Seniors and coaches went the extra mile to video call the team to review games. Difficult moments arose due to injuries and an incomplete squad, but the camaraderie powered them through it all.

“It was even more memorable, because we kept adapting and trusting one another. Our word was ‘Echo’, it reminded us to communicate, respond, and move as one.”
Ahmad Irfan Kaysan Bin Ahmad Mudzakkir (26S03E)

The tight time period also posed a significant challenge for the players. With 4 games spread across just 1.5 weeks, there was barely any time for the team to recover from their losses before proceeding to the next game. It was undeniably emotionally straining, especially after the two losses in the group stage games, including one unexpected loss against Anglo-Chinese Junior College.

Entering the finals itself was, as described by Samuel Neo, a “stroke of great fortune” as it had been dependent on a goal difference between RI, Anglo-Chinese Junior College and Anglo-Chinese School (Independent). Perhaps because of that, the team was even more determined to “take [their] revenge” against HCI and prepared even harder for the finals. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

In spite of the loss, the team was proud to have stuck together through thick and thin and emerged as a family whose bond became stronger than ever. After all, it is only in times of difficulty that it becomes clear what is truly important, and to them, that was their bond with each other. They had built a culture that was about more than just winning; it was about effort, communication, leadership, and brotherhood.

“[Leadership] is about staying composed when things are difficult, maintaining standards and making sure the team does not lose belief in one another.”
Ahmad Irfan Kaysan Bin Ahmad Mudzakkir (26S03E)

And that was exactly what the team did. Even as matches pushed their mental strength and resilience to the limits, the players never let it keep them down for long. Through it all, each and every player played their part, consistently showing up for training even when the going got tough, and kept their spirits high by encouraging each other.

It was unsurprising that this trying experience had forged lifelong friendships amongst the team. Despite jam-packed schedules, the players found ways to bond with and be there for each other, from post-training meals to after school meet-ups and birthday dinners. Their rapport made itself noticeable in more than their daily lives—it showed up in their gameplay as well. Coach Toh Yida expressed his comfort in seeing how they had transformed from a group of “individual players” into a well-knit team.

“At the end of the season, [it’s] not really about the wins or the losses but rather about the journey, the friendships which we’ve forged and the memories we’ve made which made it unforgettable.”
Xavier Wong Rae On (26S06I)

On that bittersweet note, the NSG 2026 Boys’ Water Polo chapter comes to a close. Moving forward, Coach Yu Junjie advises the team to always have empathy, support one another and continue helping each other grow.

Outgoing Y6 player Samuel Neo wraps up his sentiments towards this season with much pride.

“Being surrounded by the brothers I had grown with for six years and cheered on by onlookers…the unity and passionate school spirit that everyone had was real, and in that moment there was nothing better than being uniquely Raffles.”
Samuel Neo Seh Jin (26A01A)

The captain also had some final thoughts to share. He expressed his sincerest gratitude towards all coaches, teachers, teammates, juniors and supporters who have been with the team throughout this NSG journey. As an outgoing Y6 player as well, he has high hopes for the Y5s that will take up the baton.

“To the Y5s, I hope you continue to carry the team forward with the same commitment and unity. Keep pushing one another, keep showing up for the team and keep representing the school well,” Ahmad said.

Team Raffles truly put on a tough fight this year, and demonstrated what it means to keep the Rafflesian spirit burning. We would like to sincerely congratulate the team on emerging as silver medallists. See you next year, at the pool.

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