Last week, teams of NERF players gathered at NEX Shopping Mall to battle out at NERF POWERPLAY 2013 tournament. The event also includes the Ah Boys to Men cast, Tosh Zhang, Noah Yap, Wang Wei Liang, Charlie Goh and Maxi Lim, who joined in the fun. More information in the Press Release.
Here is a shot of the boys from ABTM.
Press Release
THOUSANDS TURN UP AT NERF POWERPLAY 2013 AS TOURNAMENT SEES NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED
Capacity crowd gather on final day to cheer on new champions and Ah Boys to Men cast
SINGAPORE, 23June 2013 – Singapore has crowned a new breed of NERF champions as team “S-16 Command” picked up the overall title as champions of the Open Category at the NERF POWERPLAY 2013, while team ‘NoobBusters’ emerged as winners of the Youth Challenge (ages 8 – 17). The two teams beat 32 others to take home the honours in their respective categories.
After three intense days at the NERF POWERPLAY, Open Category winner, Jun Jie, 24 years of age, said “it was a very close fight as all our opponents were very strong and skilled, but we are all very happy to have become the champions of the NERF POWERPLAY 2013 Open Category.“ Jun Jie, who is also the leader of S-16 NERF interest group, has been practicing every Sunday with his team. The passionate NERFER organises regular NERF wars with his S-16 community, who have now become a closely-knitted family.
Linn Min Hoot, age 14 years from ‘NoobBusters’, said “We did not expect to be the winners of the NERF POWERPLAY Youth Challenge, as this is the first time we participated in a NERF tournament and we had very little training. However with the help of our friends, we held a few NERF play sessions under our block prior to the tournament for practice.”
The NERF POWERPLAY tournament is the third of its kind held in Singapore by organisers, Hasbro Singapore. This year though, the event has been put together as a launch pad for a series of NERF-related events due to unfold throughout the rest of the year to encourage the community to play NERF socially and actively.
Held at the atrium of NEX Shopping Mall over the weekend, the NERF POWERPLAY 2013 saw 64 teams battling it out across two main categories amidst an on-looking crowd of eager spectators who rooted for their favourite teams.
AH BOYS TO MEN CAST SHOW THEIR NERF METTLE
NERF fans were also treated to an appearance by the Ah Boys to Men cast which included Tosh Zhang, Noah Yap, Wang Wei Liang, Charlie Goh and Maxi Lim who turned up amidst a cacophony of screams and cheers from excited fans who came down especially to catch a glimpse of the young stars managed by JM Artiste Network and FLY Entertainment.
The quintet put their NERF skills to the test in three specially arranged match-ups against their fans. “Before today, we underestimated how intense playing NERF can be. It’s a real workout!” said Wei Liang who partnered two fans in the first game, said Wang Wei Liang addressing the crowd whilst wiping beads of sweat from his brow.
Added Noah Yap, “A few of us actually booked out a multi-purpose hall a couple of months ago just to practice playing NERF. We used school tables and chairs to form the obstacles and barriers. Playing it here today with officials and umpires is a different experience, but really, NERF can be played anytime and anywhere”.
Commenting on their team strategies, Maxi Lim said, “Our team made it a point to ‘NERF’ the opponent’s key players and we tried to keep some form of team structure and organisation. But once the game started, all our tactics and strategies went out the window. But it’s a really fun and interactive game. We had a good time.”
NERF FOR ANY ONE, ANY PLACE, ANY TIME
“The NERF POWER PLAY 2013 was a perfect way for us to unite the NERF community in Singapore and re-introduce the sport to neophytes. NERF has always been a sport that can be played by people of all ages, at any place, and at any time. All you need is a couple of friends or family members to enjoy an active day out.” said Miss Joy Koh, General Manager of Hasbro Singapore.
“Moving forward, we want NERF fans to know that they have our support in all things NERF and we will be working closely to existing and new interest groups to build on NERF-related initiatives to encourage more NERF action in neighbourhoods and parks across Singapore,” Miss Koh added.
NERF POWERPLAY 2013 saw a crowd of enthusiasts taking part in the competition. Many, like the Choo family, with 35-year-old father of the family, Aaron, his wife, Fern, age 30 years, and their 13-year-old son, Marcus Choo, chose to put their skills to the test even though NERF has played a regular part of their lives. The family are part of NERF interest group S-16, who regularly holds battles on weekends. Each session sees close to 40 – 50 fellow participants taking part.
Said civil servant Aaron, “We’ve been playing NERF actively as a family for nearly two years now. It’s an activity that allows us to bond as a family in a unique way.”
Added Marcus, a student at Swiss Cottage Secondary School, “NERF requires the same skills as a sport such as basketball. Players are required to think on their feet, strategies game play and practice team work and refine their motor skills.”
With a stable following of NERF enthusiasts promising to light up the sport in communities across Singapore, the social element of NERF is expected to continue throughout the year and into 2014. Hasbro Singapore will also be releasing new models of NERF blasters in the coming months, adding onto its already impressive line-up of NERF Elite blasters of which the NERF Elite Alpha Trooper CS-12 and NERF Elite Spectre Rev-5 were amongst the latest released exclusively at NERF POWER PLAY 2013.
For more information on NERF or other exciting Hasbro products, please visit www.nerfpowerplay.sg.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative, well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. The Hub TV Network is part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), in the U.S. Through the company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens”. Learn more at www.hasbro.com
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