Tchoukball Singapore launches Coaches’ scholarship and partnership program

Tchoukball Singapore (TBAS) recently hosted a successful Coaches Engagement Forum at the National Youth Sport Institute, bringing together marketplace tchoukball coaches from across Singapore to discuss the future of coaching and development in the sport.

Tchoukball is a mixed-gender, non-contact indoor team sport, played by two teams of seven players. It is most popular in Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan, but has become an international sport with national federations in over 60 countries.

Tchoukball is rapidly growing in popularity as it is a sport designed to be competitive but less likely to cause injury to its players, using a combination of elements from volleyball, handball and squash. The objective is to bounce a ball off the other team’s rebound net to gain points. The name of the sport comes from the sound of the ball hitting the net of a tchoukball frame.

During the Coaches Engagement Forum, updates about TBAS’s new initiatives were shared, including the Coaches’ Scholarship and National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA) Partnership Programme, where tchoukball coaches can receive up to 90% funding for essential certifications, thanks to the support from NICA Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP).  

The Singapore National Instructors and Coaches Association Partnership program aims to elevate coaching standards, offer financial assistance for certification courses and incorporate mental health training into the curriculum.

The scholarship and subsidies will help co-fund certifications such as the Foundational Sport Science, Singapore Coach Excellence Programme Theory Level 1, Safe Sport, Tchoukball Level 1 Technical and First Aid Certification, which are the basic requirements to be an NROC Coach.

TBAS President Delane Lim noted that with more countries fighting for top honours in the sport, Singapore “must ensure that our coaches are professionals with both the right skill sets and commitment levels.

“Our focus on structured coach development and professional growth is essential to building a sustainable future for tchoukball. Through our scholarships, partnerships, and enhanced certification pathways, we’re not only raising the standard of coaching but also creating a supportive ecosystem that values the contributions of every coach.

“This is our investment in the sport’s future.”

There are currently 20 certified tchoukball coaches in Singapore and TBAS is aiming to triple that number to 60 by the end of 2025 to meet the increased demand from schools and community programmes.

In tandem with its target for coaches, the national sports association said that its goal is to build a base of 180 national development players and over 500 active players.

Lim added “Incorporating mental health into our coaching curriculum is essential for the holistic development of both athletes and coaches. We recognise that a coach’s influence goes beyond technical skills; it extends to fostering resilience, empathy, and a supportive environment for athletes.

“By equipping our coaches with mental health awareness and resources, we’re empowering them to nurture well-rounded athletes who thrive both on and off the court.

“This is more than professional growth—it's about building a supportive ecosystem that values and protects our coaches. Our investment in their development is an investment in the future of tchoukball in Singapore, probably the first NSA to ink this partnership and include mental health education into our coaching practice.”

Rules on how to play Tchoukball 

Images. Tchoukball. Credit: Tchoukball Association of Singapore