A squad comprised solely of South Canterbury players is set to represent New Zealand in a sport steadily gaining traction in the country.
This week 10 South Canterbury players were named in the New Zealand squad set to compete at the IFA U18 Fistball World Championships in Switzerland this July.
New Zealand men’s team coach and newly elected Fistball New Zealand president Rene Kempf said it was the first time New Zealand would be sending an under-18 team to the world championships.
‘‘In Europe they’re very excited to see that we’re actually sending a team there. They’re the future, we’ve got a few of the national team lads getting a bit older now, so we really want to push these young players and make sure we nurture our two main centres [Christchurch and Timaru].
‘‘The squad is mainly from Timaru Boys’ High but we’ve also got some from Roncalli [College], some home school students and some boys that are working. There’s a bit of a mix but they are all South Canterbury lads.
‘‘That has its advantages because they can just continue to train together over a longer period. Sam [Kempf] has been training and preparing them and they’re looking good.’’
Last year eight South Canterbury players also made up the nine-man New Zealand squad that competed for the first time at the World Games in China.
Mr Kempf said the sport was very reliant on self funding.
‘‘Unfortunately, as fistball is such a minor sport in New Zealand there is zero funding available for our sport, all the money is directed to a handful of what are regarded as the main sports. Every player must raise their own funds to play locally and attend tournaments.
‘‘For the national teams we have been fortunate to have the uniforms and some other clothing covered by sponsorship in the past but that has been the extent of it.’’
The team is also searching for a local business willing to be a shirt sponsor for the upcoming under-18 world champs.
He said he hoped the establishment of an under-18 squad would play a big part in helping to further grow the game in New Zealand.
‘‘Some of them will head off to university, which gives us the potential to then start growing in places like Dunedin,’’ Mr Kempf said.
‘‘It just happens to be that the next thing is the under-18 world champs.
‘‘It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to provide for some kids to go to an event like that,’’ he said.
‘‘Hopefully in the next couple of years we will also be able to send a women’s under-18 team. ‘‘It’s a little bit harder there but we certainly want to see some more growth in that area as well,’’ Mr Kempf said.
‘‘The future is kids, even primary school level, I’d love to see development there.
‘‘You want to start with the kids but it’s having the resources to go and do the coaching, it’s sort of doing what we can and taking steps along the journey.’’
Anyone wishing to provide sponsorship, learn more or get involved in the sport can do so by getting in touch via the Aoraki Fistball Association or New Zealand Fistball Association Facebook page.
