A group of elderly Singaporean women confronts aging and mortality with fierce camaraderie and competitive water polo.
The sounds of whooping and splashing fill the air at Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex on a bright Tuesday morning. It’s not your typical scene—20 Ah Mas (grandmothers) are wrestling and tackling each other in the pool as they engage in Flippa Ball, a modified version of water polo.
Among them are women as old as 84, fearlessly diving for the ball, shoulder-checking teammates, and hollering encouragement or expletives in dialects like Hokkien and Cantonese. This weekly game is more than just a pastime; it’s a bold declaration of their refusal to age quietly or succumb to loneliness.
Healing Through Play
Ah Ma Flippa Ball began in 2016, evolving from a swimming group into a competitive sports team under the guidance of coach Ting Kum Luen. The sport provided the grandmothers with a physical and emotional outlet.
“I’ve spent most of my life being a wife, then a mother. Flippa Ball makes me feel like a kid again,” says 70-year-old Ah Nam. “I’ve finally found myself again.”
Many of these women had spent decades fulfilling traditional roles, only to face loneliness or loss in their later years. Flippa Ball allowed them to reclaim their sense of individuality and joy.
Building Strength and Bonds
While the sport offers physical benefits like improved mobility and reflexes, the camaraderie among the players is the team’s heart.
“We’re not just teammates—we’re family,” says 73-year-old Ah Kee. From playing Mahjong and singing karaoke to traveling together on girls’ trips, the group fosters deep bonds that color every aspect of their lives.
For some members, like 75-year-old Mei Mei, the group has become a lifeline. Living alone since her family emigrated, she says the team fills the void of solitude: “They’re in my dreams, even when I’m not playing.”
A Bold Approach to Mortality
Despite their age, the Ah Mas are unapologetic about their energy and zest for life. They face the realities of aging and mortality head-on, supported by their teammates through personal losses and shared milestones.
“I want to play till I die,” declares Ah Nam, a sentiment echoed by her teammates. Their weekly games are more than just exercise; they are a form of rebellion against societal expectations of aging.
A Lasting Legacy
The Ah Mas’ determination and joy reflect a refreshing approach to aging—one of empowerment, community, and living unapologetically.
For the granddaughter of one of the group’s founding members, the team is a living tribute to her grandmother’s indomitable spirit. “This isn’t just about Flippa Ball,” she reflects. “It’s about creating a space where these women can thrive and confront the tail end of life on their own terms.”
And next week, she’ll be jumping in the pool with them.
