You can read the 2013 President’s (Daniel Grant) report below, and you can download the full newsletter here:
[button color=”blue” size=”medium” link=”https://ukwb.burrowsca.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/02/Fives_Newsletter_Spring_2013.pdf” target=”blank” ]2013 Newsletter[/button]
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UK Wallball President’s Report
Since the last newsletter we’ve had some great news, but let’s start with the big one: the World Championships.
Over 2000 people competed and, for Fives players, it was stunning to see so many like-minded ball-hitters together. 1-Wall was the showcase event, and as the IOC looked on approvingly, people from 8 to 80 competed in the giant purpose-built arena. Ireland’s 4-Wall game has surged in popularity since the event and I hope to emulate this in the UK, swelling the ranks of Fives players.
Team GB did itself proud. Both Kerry White & Daniel Grant made Open Quarter-Finals, and several players reached the semis of their grades. Best of all were our youngsters. Tessa Mills won an epic clash in her opening round, but it was Luke Thomson who undoubtedly put the icing on the cake. After coming through a titanic draw he finished 2012 as the world’s second best U23 player!
After Ireland, Luke and Dan headed to Belgium to support their premier ‘KillShot’ club, and several Europeans will be at Merchant Taylors’ for the UK Singles Open in February.
Off-court, things are beginning to take shape. We have a new centre opening at the brand new UCL Academy in Swiss Cottage, where not only will we have a club night and team training, we will also run outreach programmes to the local communities. We’ll follow this by working with Camden Council, StreetGames and University College London to expand the sport further and give the North London populace a sporting opportunity which is free to access and open to all.
Finally, we’ve been rebranding, and as well as creating Twitter, Vimeo and Facebook accounts, we’ve revamped our website (www.ukwb.burrowsca.com) and are just putting finishing touches on a professional promo video which will be on the Mayor of London’s desk before Easter. There’ll be much to update you on in the next newsletter, but as we gain momentum we’re looking forward to working as part of the Fives Federation to stabilise, bolster and continually improve all codes of Fives, no matter where you play or how many walls you have.
Daniel Grant