| Beginner's guide to tchoukball | - Tchoukball was created by the Swiss in the 1960s
- Both teams have nine players
- The aim is to score a point by throwing the ball against an angled trampet ‘the frame’ and making it hit the floor before a member of the opposition catches it
- To successfully score a point, the ball must land on the floor outside the D
- The ball itself is small and hard (about half the size of a football) and a team can pass it a maximum of three times before they must shoot
- Players must not hold the ball for more than three seconds or take more than three steps whilst in possession
- The court is 40m by 20m and each game is divided into three 20 minute thirds
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The drama of the Olympics has placed sport at the forefront of people’s minds this summer, but one sport that didn't make games in Athens is tchoukball. Andrew St Ledger has just returned from the sport's world championships in Taiwan where thousands of fans turned out for the event. The 22-year-old from Norwich has been in the Great Britain side for nearly three years. He played a crucial role in helping the national team secure third place at the 2002 world championships in Loughborough. However, according to St Ledger, the conditions in the Asian city of Kaohsiung meant this event was a different challenge altogether. "It was very hot there. The air is so thin that it makes it very difficult, fitness wise, to keep up with the pace of the game," he said. "It was about 35C, but the humidity was around 90%. The sports hall was air-conditioned, but you just couldn't escape the heat. We had extra training sessions to help push our fitness levels up, but it was still very tough. "In the competition itself we earnt a place in the semi-finals against defending world champions Taiwan in both the men's and women's events, but we lost two very close matches. "The end result was a fourth place for both British teams, but in so many of the match we lost by just one or two points, in a game where the scoring is high, this is quite unusual.  | | Andrew St Ledger taking a shot. |
"I'm disappointed to have lost, it was so close. As a team we certainly felt we'd done our best and it's something for us to build upon in the future as we know we can do better," he added. New club planned for Norwich Although popular in Taiwan, tchoukball remains a minority sport in Great Britain. There is only one official club in Norfolk, based at Martham near Great Yarmouth, but St Ledger is keen to set up a club in Norwich. "It's important we set up a club in Norwich for all levels of player. We've the potential to get a lot of support and sponsorship. I've had a lot of interest already," he said. "The successful world championships should raise the profile of sport. The more people we get playing the better because within the next 10 years or so we are hoping to push for Olympic status. "There are currently several clubs around the country and an annually contested national league, but more clubs means more players and more players means more exposure, so we always welcome beginners. "Everyone I have introduced to the sport has really enjoyed it, so I’d encourage anyone to have a go," he added. Get in touch If you'd like to try tchoukball you can take part in a free event at the UEA Sportspark on Sunday 19 September, 2004. For more details send an e-mail to andrew.stledger@tchoukball.org.uk
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