Celebrating Sporting Excellence: Robbie’s Tchoukball Journey
“The Flying Man" - Tchoukball is how Robbie earned that nickname!
Celebrating Sporting Excellence: Robbie’s Tchoukball Journey
9 October 2025
Written by Don Han
Tchoukball is not your traditional sport that dates to the 19th century – it first originated in Switzerland back in the 1970s, but now finds itself most prominent in several countries, of which Singapore is included. For Robbie Chia (Aquila, Year 4 Data Science and Analytics), this once-unfamiliar game has become both a passion and a defining part of his RC4 journey.
A prominent figure in the RC4 sports scene, Robbie is known for his versatility. He competed in 7 different sports (Basketball, Captain’s Ball, Dodgeball, Floorball, Netball, Tchoukball, Volleyball) in the recent Inter-House Games. The origin of his sporting journey in RC4? It all began with Tchoukball.
Robbie was first introduced to tchoukball during his junior college days. “I wanted to try something new. I had never been in a sports CCA before even though I loved playing sports, so it was fresh for me – everyone started from the ground up, and we just really wanted to get good.” The perfect sport suited Robbie perfectly – as his ability to jump, throw with precision, and quick reactions shone on the court that rewards instinctive decision-making skills.
All eyes on the ball: Tchoukball requires full focus to track the trajectory of the ball
Since then, Robbie has not looked back. With six years of experience under his belt, he has earned a silver medal (2023) and a gold medal (2024) for RC4 Tchoukball in the Inter-College Games. Beyond medals, his resilience and leadership stood out most in his favourite memory of the sport – throwing it back to their winning campaign in 2024. Just minutes into the first group stage match, Robbie – then the captain of the team – sprained his ankle. “I was absolutely devastated, and morale in the team dropped,” he recalled. “But I knew I had to stay strong and alert, in order to coach them from the sidelines.”
Even when he was unable to deliver for the team on the court, he was always there in support and offering guidance. His disciplined rehabilitation allowed him to return for the semifinals and finals, where RC4 staged a dramatic comeback. Down by six points at halftime in the final, they fought back to snatch victory. The turnaround, reminiscent of Istanbul 2005 (where Liverpool Football Club overturned a 0-3 deficit at half-time to win the UEFA Champions League), sealed RC4’s gold and cemented Robbie’s story as one of grit and determination, leaving behind his trail that will inspire generations of RC4 Tchoukball players.
Comeback complete! RC4 Tchoukball were crowned ICG champions back in 2024 after a magnificent comeback.
Today, Robbie is considered a veteran of RC4 Tchoukball, and his journey is still unfolding. He will be competing in the upcoming Tchoukcup, a self-initiated Inter-RC Tchoukball competition held from 18-19 October 2025. This will be Robbie’s fourth participation in the event, which is open to players of all skill levels. Alumni, current IG members, and newcomers will all be part of RC4’s contingent, providing a rare opportunity to clock valuable game time before the semester’s academic intensity ramps up.
To his teammates, Robbie is more than just a capable player. “He’s a very versatile player and can practically cover all angles – he can defend, he can attack, he can do all sorts of trickshots,” said Sarah Tan (Aquila, Year 1 Biomedical Engineering), Robbie’s Tchoukball teammate in the recently-concluded Inter-House Games. Beyond his skills, she described him as a patient and supportive teammate, always willing to guide others regardless of their experience or skill level.
Whether it’s breaking down the execution of difficult shots like the tricky zero-degree “swipe,” defending countless attempts so teammates can practice, or providing live feedback, Robbie never hesitates to invest time in others’ growth. “I want to give a special shoutout to the friends who’ve been there through it all, the highs and the lows. Xavier and Weichong were amazing friends, leading the team together from our Year 1 days till our victory in ICG 2024. Rencong has been with me since I persisted in my tchoukball journey coming into University. I wouldn’t be where I am today without each of them.”
For Robbie, the beauty of Tchoukball lies in its spontaneity. “Insane fakes, insane hops, insane shots, insane catches – anything can happen. It’s more technical than it meets the eye, but watching the teamwork and the insane catches in mid-air are just really cool.” Tchoukball may have gone under the radar compared to more popular sports, but players like Robbie are changing that. From a curious JC student looking to try something new, to a two-time ICG medalist, to now being one of the veterans leading the RC4 Tchoukball team, Robbie’s journey is proof of how passion and perseverance can turn an unfamiliar sport into a lifelong love.
