Subang Tridents... by Johnny Ong

Pre-Tridents

The seed of Tridents football was planted way back in 1996. In the college town of East Lansing, Michigan, an African-Asian American took it upon himself to acquaint a Chinese Malaysian to, among others, football! Having grown to play and love the game during his four years there, the said Chinese Malaysian aspired to continue his passion in Malaysia upon his return from America. Alas, it was not meant to be. Since football had not gained a presence in Malaysia, our American exposed Trident had to put those football dreams aside for the time being.

Later down the timeline there was a sizable community of college students that had returned from America. To ensure that they would be able to continue playing in Malaysia, they established the Malaysian Flag Football Association (MAFFA).

 

The creation of MAFFA gave some players from Subang exposure to flag football. After those Subang players learnt enough about the game from MAFFA, they then brought the game to Subang. The first two teams in Subang were the Vanguards and Invaders. These two teams would later on merge to form the Voltz.

During an unsuspecting weekend, our first football familiarized Trident had overheard in a basketball game another basketball player say to a fellow teammate, “use your flag football skills to catch the ball.” Curiosity caught the better of that particular Trident so he inquired further about flag football in Malaysia. He was then told that flag football is played on Saturday as well as Sunday evenings at USJ 11 field and that further information can be obtained via facebook.

Since our pioneer Trident did not have a facebook account at that moment in time, he immediately created facebook upon return from the pick-up basketball game. Hungry for some football action, he scoured through facebook looking for information about flag football in Malaysia. After making some inquiries about flag football, he showed up with his 13-year-old brother to the field on a Sunday evening in 2008.

The following week after that first scrimmage was one of the most memorable moments in pre-Tridents history. A pint sized but extremely agile 13-year-old set the Subang record that still stands till today for most pick-sixes when he intercepted four balls and returned it for touchdowns against a veteran Subang QB.

Tridents during the embryonic stage

After playing with the Subang-dwellers for a while, the founding fathers decided to call two of their friends from their freestyling basketball days. Slowly the numbers of the Tridents swelled up, as there were enough of friends and friends of friends to actually form a team. With much deliberation and discussion the team came to a consensus to name the team the tridents. The team is named the Tridents because the 3-pronged trident is symbolic of the celebration of the ethnic diversity found on the Tridents.

Sometime in November 2008, Subang hosted some players from Penang to engage with Subang players in a friendly game of flag football. In this game the Tridents combined forces with the Penang team to play against the Voltz + two members of the Tridents. Though the game ended in an 18-18 draw, it gave the Tridents one of the first exposures to the feel of an actual flag football game.

Preparation for the Tridents’ first MAFFA tournament

 

Knowing that the MAFFA tournament was going to be held sometime in February, the Tridents knew that they had their work cut out for them. When the Tridents found their starting QB, everything clicked. The Tridents were riding a winning streak that lasted several months heading into the MAFFA League. Despite that the Tridents were still underdogs. After the Tridents’ first game in the league, they received recognition from MAFFA in the form of the write up below:

DAMANSARA DAWGS (12) at SUBANG TRIDENTS (14)

A match-up between two expansion teams! Damansara Dawgs were favorites as they recruited several MAFFA players to build their squad on this year, however it was the baby powder fresh smellin' Tridents who came home victors. Rookie baby-faced QB Alvin of the Subang Tridents who were unfancied by his bigger sized opponents paved the way with 2 TD throws to his No.1 WR Johan. Notable mentions are Tridents' O-line for stopping the Dawgs fiery Defense. Game ball goes to: Tridents QB for using Johnsons & Johnsons baby powder since birth & the supporting casts of girlfriends showing up to the game..

The second game for the Tridents in the MAFFA league signified the changing of the guard. Even with the win over the Dawgs, the Tridents entered this game as an underdog. Out to make a statement, the Tridents took a commanding 12-0 lead at the half. Unfortunately the turning point of the season came when the Tridents’ most experienced player suffered a concussion. This pivotal moment put an end to the seasons of then Tridents’ team captain and starting QB who was on pace to have an MVP season. Eventually the Tridents won the game 18-6 but it was no cause for celebration. Instead of celebrating at a mamak, the team went to the hospital to show their solidarity for their concussed captain.

Without their starting QB in the next game, they won against UIA but failed to emerge victorious against KL Theyhateus. The Tridents starting QB eventually suited up for the Subang Voltz game for the battle to be “the team in Subang.” With a win over the Voltz, the Tridents had clinched second place in the season regardless of the outcome of the game against the Mustangs.

The Tridents’ first season did not finish on a strong note as the Mustangs flat lined the Tridents 22-0. The Tridents now in its rebuilding process was not able to continue their regular season success. The brightest moment for the Tridents during this season came in the form of an MVP nomination for one of the Tridents. The accolade for the Tridents during their first season is as below:

**************************************************************

Alvin Ong, QB #7, Subang Tridents (4-1)

If you like your Gladiator Trophy winners as team MVPs more than tournament MVPs, then rookie Alvin Ong of Subang Tridents is your candidate. With him, the Tridents got nine toes over the threshold of the MFFL Championship Game with a (3-0) record. Without him, they would be gearing up for a session of “happy endings” at a massage parlour in the offseason with OL Daryll. Exaggeration? OK, maybe a little, but with a (1-2) record without Alvin, the Tridents season surely lies on the back of this rookie’s shoulder. Alvin’s stats have been fairly decent, but what is most impressive is his ability to command the huddle and lead his team to wins after wins even at an age where he wouldn’t need much shaving, anywhere. He has thrown for 6 TDs with a few INTs but more than anything, he has been a leader and a fighter, as shown in the game against the then #2 KL Warriors. Alvin The Kid will give the MVP front runners a run for their money but win or lose, he is surely in contention for the Rookie of The Year honors.

**************************************************************

The first Tridents’ captain sensing that he cannot be committed to the post eventually relinquished his captaincy after the first Tridents’ season in the League. The incumbent captain of the Tridents is now a shutdown corner.

to be continue.....