TEQBALL has taken Northwood School by storm. Imagine Ping-Pong, but you must use your feet and a soccer ball instead of your hands and a paddle. This community-building sport has brought a newfound spirit into the Northwood community off the pitch, rink, or mountain.
Competition is not a new concept to Northwood School; however, it is often found in high-stress environments where a starting spot or grade is on the line. TEQBALL offers a fun, low-stress, yet still highly competitive alternative. This alternative has been the perfect supplement for many soccer players off the field including myself. It is a time to unwind and destress, and, in the words of Edouard Laberge ‘26, “You can express whatever you want and play the way you want since there are no restrictions, except for the fact you want to win.”
I asked the most frequent players: what have they noticed TEQBALL doing for the community?
“It brings people together and makes us stay out of our rooms, so less depression,” Laberge said.
“TEQBALL creates a sort of freedom after practice,” Nicolas Malouin ’25 said. “And even if you had a bad practice, it gives you fun and enjoyment and a sense of relaxation, even though it’s kind of intense. It gives you great moments with your teammates off the actual pitch. It became a culture at our school. Every time we eat supper, we come down here after and play for an hour and a half each night. Its starting to add more and more people,” added Malouin.
“I think it creates cohesion among the team,” Ryan Farr ’25 said. “We must work out which rules we’ll play each time. I think it builds chemistry between you and your teammate obviously. Sometimes your teammates not playing as well, and you have to build them up,” Farr added.
“We can just have fun and win in a fun way,” Paulo Marcilio ’25 said. “Often in training we act like we want to kill each other, but here we can just play.”
Soccer players aren’t the only students enjoying TEQBALL. It is not uncommon for a hockey player or a skier to join in for a set or two to experience the joy of the game. I have seen personally 4 different languages spoken during games and the game will flow the way it is meant to. Unrestricted fun is a rarity found at Northwood and can only be found in pockets around the school. I urge everyone to expand out of their comfort zone and find those who dare to be free.
