United States Earns 5th Place at U18 Fistball World Championships

Roxbury, NJ - August 4, 2016 - As the first U18 development team for the United States Fistball Association (USFA), the U18 Women’s Fistball team achieved all of their goals competing in the recently held U18 World Championships in Nuremberg, Germany. Facing teams from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil and India the US team played well especially considering that many of their opponents have played competitive fistball for several years.

As part of the U18 Youth World Championships, all of the teams were invited to a special reception held by the city of Nuremberg. Welcomed by 3rd Mayor of the city of Nuremberg, 3. Bürgermeister Dr. Klemens Gsell, responsible for Sport, they were lauded and celebrated by the city. At the conclusion of the tournament, Dr. Gsell and International Fistball Association President Karl Weiss presented all of the teams with their trophies and medals.

The US Team was formed through the perseverance of USFA President Bob Feid. In the past year, he sought out young athletes with experience playing competitive volleyball at local area High Schools. The search yielded 9 highly competitive high school students willing to learn the sport of Fistball, from which Volleyball was created.

The preparations for the Youth World Fistball Championships started in January 2016 with indoor practices held at Roxbury High School. Under the direction of coaches Amy Miller, Steve Groeber, and USFA Northeast Director Werner Adam the girls learned the fundamentals of the sport as well as technique and strategy. They were also assisted by Lara Goetz, a native of Germany and experienced Fistball player who is currently living in the United States. With only a few months of practice the team earned the respect of the very seasoned international teams.

“Our girls have played great and have made me proud. I have heard nothing but compliments about our level of play with so little time.” - Bob Feid USFA President

The athletes will be playing in their next tournament with the Eastern Fistball Association at Phoenix Sportpark in Feasterville, PA to finish out their season. Looking forward to the future, 7 of the team members will remain eligible for the next U18 World Championship in 2018.

“We are hoping that this team continues to play and build their skills as well as recruit additional athletes so that we can return to the International arena stronger and more competitive” - Coach Miller

“We are so proud of the accomplishments these girls have made in such a short period of time. The heart and determination they have shown to learn the sport of Fistball and compete on the world’s stage is truly inspiring” – Werner Adam, USFA Director, Northeast Region

Photos:

1) U18 Team and Coaches at Awards Ceremony with Bürgermeister Dr. Klemens Gsell (L) and IFA President Mr. Karl Weiss (R)

2) Team USA ready to Compete - Standing: Coaches Amy Miller and Lara Goetz, Kayley Moran, Kate Tagliareni, Kelli Vogel, Valerie Houghton, Olivia Woodruff, Coach Steve Groeber, USFA President, Bob Feid. Kneeling: Christine Connelly, Alexx Berdej, Kumali Schoen, Bayleigh Takacs

3) #7 Bayleigh Takacs - Sparta, NJ and #5 Kelli Vogel - Sparta, NJ celebrating a score

4) Team USA at the Opening Ceremony

5) #10 Kate Tagliarieni - Hackettstown, NJ Ready to take a shot

Team Roster:
#1 Valerie Houghton - Maplewood, NJ
#2 Olivia Woodruff - Maplewood, NJ
#3 Christine Connelly (capt.) - Rockaway, NJ
#4 Kayley Moran - Hackettstown, NJ
#5 Kelli Vogel - Sparta, NJ
#7 Bayleigh Takacs - Sparta, NJ
#8 Kumali Schoen - Menlo Park, Ca.
#9 Alexx Berdej - Roxbury, NJ
#10 Kate Tagliareni - Hackettstown, NJ

Information about the US National Team, please contact Bob Feid, President, USFA - bobf2@optonline.net

CLICK HERE to learn more about Fistball - http://usfistball.com/

CLICK HERE for more information on the Youth World Fistball Championships - http://u18wm2016.de/en/

#USFistball #U18Worlds #Fistball

About the United States Fistball Association

The United States Fistball Association (USFA) is the National Governing body for the sport of Fistball in the United States, as recognized by the International Fistball Association (IFA).

Media Contact:

Name: Bob Feid
Title President, USFA
Email address:bobf2@optonline.net