Scoring Goals, Changing Lives

Two friends turned their love for floorball into Play4Good — a charity event where the vibes are high, the goals are real, and every shot helps someone in need.

Floorball sticks clashing against each other, laughter filling the court, and cheers from supporters echoing through the hall. This isn’t just your typical floorball game, it’s Play4Good’s (P4G) fundraiser event, now just completing its fifth event. They had their first event in February 2024.

P4G’s first event

21-year-old Eliya Fawzi, a full-time nurse, organised this movement together with her friend, Hana Dafina. They met while in Nanyang Polytechnic as teammates in the floorball CCA. Something that started as a small idea, which seemed impossible to achieve, became a widely known event in the floorball community, garnering numerous supporters for every P4G event that’s been held so far. They hold the events at RED Quarters.

Eliya (in red and white) and Hana (in black)

“As a nurse, I’ve always been drawn to helping others. So, I decided to channel that passion into organising a charity event. I wanted to raise funds, but also awareness, while letting people enjoy the sport I have always loved”.

Eliya has always felt that P4G is more than just about floorball, it is about creating an impact, no matter how big or small it was. “The mission of P4G is to unite people through sports to support families and individuals in need,” she explained. 

Their vision has always been to create a platform where fun, philanthropy, and collaboration meet, bringing together individuals and local businesses to inspire meaningful change, while providing businesses the opportunity to market their brand.

“We wanted to create an event that not only helps financially but also gives people a sense of connection to what’s happening globally,” she said. Each of the five events has supported aid for Palestinian families through organisations like Sedekahsg and Loveaidssg. 

How do they decide on the charity organisation? Each time, they choose their top three organisations among themselves after carefully picking causes that matter to them. They then poll the different options in their Telegram channel for participants to aid in deciding the final organisation for that event. The team is also hoping to shine light on local causes in the future, keeping that spirit of giving closer to home as well.

Poll for participants

However, everything comes with its own challenges. One of the biggest hurdles Eliya faced at the start of her journey was securing sponsors and partnerships. Many potential partners hesitated, unsure about the long-term impact or whether their involvement would align with the event’s goals. Eliya knew that this was something she had to overcome. With that, she focused on building trust by clearly showing the benefits and purpose behind P4G

“Flexibility, adaptability, and strong communication are key to making sure things run smoothly.”

In addition, wanting to organise more events also means more logistical challenges. With each new event, she deals with varying schedules, availability, and resources. As such, the team has implemented regular check-ins and keeping communication channels open for everyone involved to mitigate this. Upon reflection, Eliya realised that “flexibility, adaptability, and strong communication are key to making sure things run smoothly”.

Attendance was also another concern, especially because the sport isn’t widely known, and the initiative was still starting out. She recalls wrecking her brain, day and night, trying to figure out how this event could gain more traction. Eventually, she and her team strengthened ties with the community through social media posts, targeted outreach, and plenty of “word-of-mouth buzz”.

Now, P4G attracts a vibrant mix of people. Attendees include those curious about floorball, like-minded players who love the sport, and individuals who want to support a good cause. Not only are there players filling up the court, but friends and families often show up to support their loved ones participating in this event, turning this event into a community affair. 

Particpants from one of the events

What sets P4G apart from other charities and fundraisers is their unique blend of sponsors and organisations they collaborate with for each occasion. Collectively, they have a total of 10 sponsors, some of whom are Dapur Affair, Broti, Inara Organics, and more. Eliya and her team work hard to bring together different supporters each time they organise an event. This keeps their event fresh, dynamic, and reflective of the diverse causes and communities they aim to support.

“It’s about bringing people together for a purpose bigger than ourselves,” Eliya said reflectively. 

While the energy on court is undeniable, the heart of P4G lies in its impact off the floor. Funds raised go toward supporting families affected by conflict and crisis. Through this, people are reminded that change is possible when communities come together and unite. It also sparks conversations and builds empathy, shining light on the hardships faced around the world.

Local businesses selling their products

“It’s about bringing people together for a purpose bigger than ourselves.”

For those unable to attend the events, there are other ways to show support. P4G welcomes donations, emphasising that no amount is too small. They’ve also started selling event T-shirts. “It’s about compassion in action, not just competition,” said Eliya.

For Eliya, P4G has been more than just about events, it’s been a journey of rediscovery. She used to think to herself, “Could a small, community-driven floorball event really spark change?” Five events later, that question feels like a distant memory.

“There were times I have felt overwhelmed,” she admitted, recalling moments where schedules clashed and last-minute changes tested her patience. But those hurdles became lessons in adaptability. “I learnt that things will never go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. What matters is how you respond.”

Looking back, she says the real win isn’t measured in funds raised or matches played. It’s in the conversations sparked, the connections built, and the mindset shifts inspired along the way. For Eliya, these events will never be just about floorball, they’re proof that when people come together, even small efforts can make a lasting difference.

Whether you’re keen to join P4G’s next event or contribute to their cause, you can reach them at https://t.me/play4goood on Telegram, or follow their Instagram account @play4goood to follow updates. Every message, every player, and every act of support keeps the momentum going.

Photos courtesy of Eliya and @sxty3.visuals on Instagram