Cinnaminson Grad To Compete At International Fistball Tournament

Another local resident will soon venture abroad to compete in a world-class tournament.

On the heels of Delran High School graduate in the Women’s Soccer World Cup tournament, grad Kris Graham will be heading to Austria this month to compete in the Fistball World Championship tournament.

"I’m 28 and I might not have another chance to do this," Graham said. "I just want to give myself the best chance to play and do the best that I can.”

Tryouts were held last year and the coaches voted on the players, Graham said. The Cinnaminson native is living in Wisconsin right now, practicing with the team.

While lesser known in America, fistball, or faustball as it is known in Europe, is a sport very similar to volleyball. The main difference is the ball is allowed to bounce one time between each touch by a player, as well as when it’s sent over the net. Matches are played in best of five sets and each game is to 11 points.

“The game was never really described to me,” Graham said. “I learned about it by showing up at a tournament and I was able to see it first-hand. I started playing when I was about 13. It’s like volleyball, maybe not as difficult since we’re allowed a bounce.”

With just three clubs across the country that boast fistball squads, competition is hard to find. But when the clubs get together, play is very friendly—a huge contrast to what the U.S. team will find when they travel to Wien, Austria for the Fistball World Championship.

Held just every four years, the Fistball World Championship is home to the top competition across the world. Host country Austria won the most the recent title in 2007, with Brazil and Germany finishing in second and third, respectively.

“The tournaments here are competitive, but friendly,” Graham said. “You want to win, but it’s more like a family type of environment. We’re far behind (the level of talent) that there is in South America and Europe. The teams there are close to each other and they’re able to travel and practice against each other.

“We don’t have the competition here yet to take the program to the next level. We really have to wait until we get to Europe before we can play the best competition. It’s a little bit of a downer, but this is all about growing the sport for the future, no matter what happens when we go over there.”

Graham and his teammates may have their work cut out for them. But a solid showing could benefit the sport—and that seems to be the only goal he is concerned with.

“I think (building the sport) all starts with us going over there and making a splash,” he said. “Letting the top teams know that we aren’t bad. Even if it just means winning a set against a top-four team in the world. We want to make them work for their wins and gain respect for us.

“We’ll be there to play, have fun and hopefully gain some recognition.”

For more information on fistball, visit www.phoenixsportclub.com.

Stay with Patch for updates on Graham.