TCHOUKBALL TO KICK START SUMMER MEDAL HOPES
Date: 04 July 2008
Three British tchoukball squads will defend their titles in the 2008 European
Tchoukball Championships in the Czech Republic next week.
The teams will be aiming to kick start a summer of British sporting success,
one month ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, by reclaiming
two trophies won in 2006 – and bagging a third.
Tchoukball may be an unusual and little-known sport in this country, but it is one that Great Britain excels at. We won gold in the men’s and U18 European Championships in 2006 and silver in the women’s competition.
The squads will take on opposition from Italy, Austria, Poland, Czech
Republic, Poland and historic rivals Switzerland.
There is an additional incentive to do well in the competition this year as
the top three teams automatically qualify for the 2009 World Games in Taiwan -
the first time tchoukball has been part of this high-profile international
multi-sport event.
This year’s 31-strong Team GB is an exciting mix of experience and youth.
Norfolk-born Jack Buck, who will turn eighteen on the first day of the
competition, is hoping for a double gold performance to celebrate as he is set
to compete in both the U18 and men’s competitions.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Buck said:
“I’m excited about this year’s championships, especially as we’re
going back to defend our titles. I feel honoured to be wearing a GB tchoukball
shirt for two squads.
“We’ve been training harder than ever over the last four months and I’m
confident our effort will pay off. The best birthday present I could get this
year would be two gold medals.”
Aiming to coach the women’s squad to the top of this year’s podium, Robert Starkings said:
“GB tchoukball has always been played with an ‘every point matters’ attitude. Fitness and strength are key to winning in a dynamic sport like tchoukball. We have worked tirelessly to increase the versatility of our squads and their belief that they can win.
“We have some excellent new and more experienced squad members this year
and we are aiming to bring home all three trophies.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1) Tchoukball, a cross between handball and volleyball, is a fast-paced team
sport that can be played all year round - indoors, on grass or on the beach.
Teams compete against each other by rebounding the ball off a tightly-sprung
trampette at either end of the court. Defenders try to catch the ball before it
hits the floor and if they don't, a point is scored. Tchoukball is unique
because both sides can score at either end of the court. Tchoukball is a
non-contact sport.
2) The 2008 European Tchoukball Championships will be held in Ústí nad
Labem (90km North of Prague) in the Czech Republic from Thursday 10 July –
Sunday 13 July 2008. The top three teams from the competition will automatically
qualify for the 2009 World Games in Taiwan. The European Tchoukball
Championships is an International Tchoukball Federation (FITB)-hosted event.
3) Photographs included for offer: tchoukball action shot – player scoring
a point
4) For more information about British tchoukball, visit www.tagb.org.uk
5) For more information about the 2008 European Tchoukball Championships,
visit www.czechtchoukball.eu
6) The World Games For more information about the 2009 World Games, visit http://www.worldgames2009.tw
7) Press contact:
Andrew St Ledger 07779 322630 andrew.stledger@tagb.org.uk
Amy Starkings 07793 863281 amy.starkings@tagb.org.uk
Interviews and photos can be arranged.
Pictures:
