The following feature was provided by FITEQ and originally appeared on Soccerscene.com.au.
Teqball is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the world and its popularity internationally is starting to slowly make waves in the football culture amongst A-League clubs and state federations in Australia.
Its fast and exciting nature make it enjoyable to play and the sport combines elements from football and table tennis. Its versatility allows an opportunity for anyone to play, and it is suitable in various different settings.
The National Teqball Federation of Australia is the governing body for the sport of Teqball in Australia and was established as recently as 2022 with the headquarters based out of Melbourne, Victoria.
In the past fortnight they have expanded their portfolio of partners, adding Football South Australia and Western United to the A-League clubs such as Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar and the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Through these partnerships, the federation has hosted demonstration events to familiarise people with the basics, been involved in clubs matchday fan zones to increase exposure as well as offer many local clubs a free Teqball table to get more people playing.
Their mission is simply to promote and develop Teqball across the country, organise national competitions, identify and support talented players, and provide educational and training programs for players, coaches, and officials.
In deeper focus, the main goals for the Australian Teqball Federation include:
– Promotion and Development: Increasing awareness and encouraging participation in Teqball at all levels.
– Competitions: Organising national competitions and facilitating Australian players’ involvement in international Teqball events.
– Talent Identification: Supporting talented Teqball players and providing opportunities for them to excel both domestically and internationally.
– Education and Training: Offering training programs, coaching clinics, and workshops to enhance the skills and knowledge of all involved in the sport.
The Federation has a big ambition of being an Olympic sport at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and they have announced what the future will look like in order to try and achieve it:
– National Championships: Hosting annual national championships to determine the top Teqball players and teams in Australia.
– Local Tournaments: Supporting local clubs and communities in organising Teqball tournaments, fostering grassroots development of the sport.
– International Representation: Ensuring that Australian players have a presence in international Teqball competitions, such as the Teqball World Championships.
– Community Engagement: Engaging with the community through events, exhibitions, and partnerships to promote Teqball and a healthy, active lifestyle.
It’s clear that The Australian Teqball Federation is on the rise and A-League clubs and state federations are jumping on board to help it grow.
As the sport popularises overseas for its ability to hone skills on top of providing an engaging form of rehabilitation, Australian clubs are incorporating it in matchdays, training and events that they host, showing the potential for growth is huge for the sport.