"The teachers' average age was above 45 and there was no professional sports teacher or playground," Chen says, referring to the dearth of sports personnel and facilities experienced by many rural schools.

"Some pupils have to walk to school for as long as an hour, and although they get exercise, some principals don't see the need to introduce new sports," she adds.

A trial game was held in front of Bangzhai's school principal, who was deeply moved by the enthusiasm and joy he saw on the children's faces. The young players used their sticks to chase a small plastic ball, transforming the earthen school grounds into a makeshift court, with two flowerpots serving as goalposts.

Bangzhai became the first primary school of its kind to embrace floorball in rural China. In 2016, Chen made a bold decision to depart from the Shanghai International Studies University after 16 years and started the Vikings Floorball Club, with a focus on training youths and coaches in the basics of the sport.

"Many thought I was crazy for leaving a stable teaching job," she says. "But I wanted to do more."

"We've been exploring ways to engage children in physical activity, especially within limited spaces. Floorball fits the bill as it's suitable for all ages and can be played anywhere, including rural China."

Fu Chuguo, a floorball coach at the Kangshengzhuang Center Primary School in Linqing, East China's Shandong province, says,"Floorball is interesting, fast-paced with less physical confrontation, and requires minimal equipment, making it very suitable for pupils as preparation to ice hockey."