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Ah Ma takes the plunge for a Flippa good time

Some women in their 60s and 70s are making a splash playing a game similar to water polo

Women in their 60s and 70s are making a splash with Ah Ma Flippa Ball, which is a simplified version of water polo.

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — The sporting Ah Mas with coach John Gan, 80, are (from left) Madam Koh Nguan Keng, 69, Madam Low Poy Keng, 63, Madam Suzzen Chua, 47, Madam Sharon Kong, 63, Madam Tan Kak Huay, 78, Madam Tia Geok Kim, 70, Madam Ngeow Moy Moy, 69, Madam Soh Ah Kee, 67, Madam Susan Teo, 68, Madam Quek Nguan Keow, 72, Madam Grace Phang, 72, Madam Chua Li Cheng, 63, Madam Teo Ah Ping, 75, Madam Lim Yik Yang, 74, Madam Julia Chia, 78, Madam Ow Moy Nie, 77, and Madam Lee Huang, 76. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — Madam Low Poy Keng, (second player from left), vies for the ball with Madam Koh Nguan Keng, (centre). Madam Soh Ah Kee, (at right, in pink), said: “A lot of us only picked up swimming later in life because in our generation, not many women swam.” ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — Madam Grace Phang, (at right) enjoying a jostle with Madam Chua Li Cheng, during a game of Flippa ball at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. “I find it’s so fun... We fight too sometimes, saying that it’s not fair, that the games are not played fairly, and then we complain to our coach, Mr Gan. And he’ll say ‘It’s ok, no need to follow the rules, so long as everybody is happy.” ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — Madam Teh Ah Moi (at left) tussles for the ball with Madam Suzzen Chua, the youngest player on the team at age 47. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — Madam Lee Huang using an umbrella for support as she leaves the pool. The former hawker learnt to swim three years ago. Her daughter Nicole encouraged her to play Flippa ball in 2016. She now plays the goal keeper position. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — Mr Gan said: ”I’ve coached the aunties for nearly one year. As an ex-Olympian, I feel water polo is good for the older ladies. It’s a workout for the whole body. After a year of playing the sport, they feel better. I enjoy coaching them.” ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. “I’ve heard that some of them call me ‘auntie killer’, but I’m not sure who gave me that name,” he said. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

In the shallow one metre pool at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex every Thursday morning, a bunch of elderly aunties gather to play the sport of what is affectionally termed as Ah Ma Flippa Ball. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Grace Phang, prepares to shoot during a weekly session of Flippa Ball. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Madam Lee Huang (centre in red cap) blocks the ball at the mouth of the goal. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Madam Tan Kak Huay tightly holding onto the ball while trying to fend off an opponent during a game of Flippa Ball at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Having a good laugh while doing their warm up in the pool in the shallow pool of Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

"We like coming to Toa Payoh Swimming Complex because they open very early, at 6.30am and the wall next to the pool helps to block the morning sun until the rays creep in at about 8am," said Madam Teo Ah Ping. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The difference from Flippa Ball and Waterpolo is that Flippa Ball is played in a shallow pool. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Madam Tia Ah Kew (second from left) jokes around in the pool with her teammate Madam Quek Nguan Keow during a weekly session at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Madam Tan Kak Huay puts on her water polo cap before the game of Flippa Ball at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The players put on their water polo caps before the start of their weekly session. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

"There were uncles that joined us before but it’s difficult for them because they wouldn’t dare to fight for the ball. There were a few times uncles came to be the goalkeeper, but ended up getting scolded when they don’t catch the ball." says Madam Chua Li Cheng with a cheeky smile. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Far left: Madam Grace Phang, (at right) enjoying a jostle with Madam Chua Li Cheng, during a game of Flippa ball at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. "I find it's so fun... We fight too sometimes, saying that it's not fair, that the games are not playe — Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the birthday boy, as Madam Ngeow Moy Moy looks on. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

The aunties would break up into smaller groups and go for breakfast together after their Flippa Ball session every Thurday. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Top: Lifeguard Teo Chin Lor, 49, helping the Ah Mas to store away the water polo balls. "I've heard that some of them call me 'auntie killer', but I'm not sure who gave me that name," he said. Left: Madam Chua Li Cheng, pretending to feed Mr Gan, the — From left: Some of the women, after their game, with Mr Gan: Low Poy Keng, Tan Kak Huay, Tia Geok Kim, Ngeow Moy Moy, Soh Ah Kee, Susan Teo, Quek Nguan Keow, Grace Phang, Chua Li Cheng, Teo Ah Ping, Lim Yik Yang, Julia Chia, Ow Moy Nie and Lee Huang, in their everyday clothes. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

Kua Chee Siong Executive Photojournalist

Updated

Published

Apr 30, 2018, 05:00 AM

On Thursday mornings, at a time when students are having their first classes of the day, much splish-splashing can be observed in the shallow pool at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex.

Excitement is in the air as bodies bob up and down in the water, vying for a distinctive yellow ball.

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