Speedball
In the spring of 2010, Racquet Network and the Oakridge Community Association will introduce the Egyptian sport of Speedball to Canada.
Earlier this year, the International Speedball Federation (located in Cairo, Egypt) donated some racquets and equipment to the Oakridge community centre. Meanwhile, a local welder constructed a base and pole on which the speed ball apparatus will soon be mounted.
Experimentation with this new sport will begin in the spring of 2010 on the grassy area adjacent to the outdoor tennis courts. If OCA members enjoy playing speed ball, new speedball courts will be added the following year.
At this point it appears as though speed ball might be an excellent fit with the community centre’s current racquet sports program. It requires much less space and equipment than other racquet sports and will be a good fit spatially.
As for fitness, speedball appears to provide a vigorous workout that will enhance overall core strength. And since the sport was originally designed as a tool for improving eye-hand coordination in young tennis players, it seems that speed ball will contribute to racquet sports training and development as well.
