US National Teams Host Open Training Weekend at World Games Venue

The United States Fistball Association (USFA) Men’s and Women’s programs are gearing up for what will be a historic weekend in the location of the 2022 edition of The World Games. On February 26th and 27th, US National Team hopefuls will travel to Pelham Recreation Center in Birmingham, Alabama for a preparatory clinic and training with The World Games organization.

Men's Head Coach Theo Theodorakoglu gives instructions to his players at training. Photo Cred: VicencioPhoto

The USFA will also be welcoming local residents to watch and try their hand at the sport. Over the weekend, there will be opportunities to come join in on the action with some of the best in the country and the world. Individuals that show exemplary progress in technique and strategy of the game will have the opportunity to compete for the National Team. There will be clinics, exhibitions, and small group training exercises led by the National Team Coaches and players as well as two National Team hopefuls from Germany. Germany has been a powerhouse in the world of Fistball over the last decade and the addition of the athletes’ Patrick and brother Sebastian Thomas for the weekend are a huge benefit for the US Fistball programs as well as for the local World Games attraction.

This will be the first time ever that Fistball has been played in any capacity in the state of Alabama. Birmingham, the host city of the 2022 World Games competition, is also home to US Men's National Team Head Coach Theo Theodorakoglu.

I am super excited to bring Fistball for the first time ever to Alabama. BHM is a sports city, and I have high hopes that this fast-paced athletic ball sport will find a fan base here! -Theo Theodorakoglu, US Men's Head Coach

The Thomas brothers will be in attendance to not only check out the venue for the first time, but also to lead training sessions for the US contingency. This will be the first time that Patrick and Sebastian will have played in the US, and also the first time collaborating with the US national team programs.

Patrick Thomas celebrates championship point at the 2019 Fistball Men's World Championship in Winterthur, Switzerland. Photo Cred: Petra den Dulk

"We are really looking forward to the clinic in Birmingham. My brother and I were excited about the idea to combine the volunteers-training, the training camp for the US men team and the open training for the US women team." -Patrick Thomas

While the Thomas brothers are no strangers to the big stage, this will be the first time ever that the US Fistball Association will bring a Men's or Women's team to The World Games. They have each earned an automatic bid as the host nation. The last edition of The World Games occurred in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. Germany won gold in exciting fashion over Switzerland 4 sets to 3 (4:3). Austria took the bronze medal 3:2 over Brazil.

“The United States Fistball Association is excited to play against the best teams in the world. Our international play is very limited so this is a great opportunity to help us grow our sport and showcase it here in the US.” -Ron Jesswein, USFA President

For more information on the World Games competition, go to twg2022.com. If you are an athlete interested in participating in this open training weekend, please go to usfistball.com/contact-us. Open Training will begin at noon on February 26 and 9:30am on February 27 at the Pelham Recreation Renter. The address is 2020 Ballpark Drive Pelham, AL 35124 and all are encouraged to participate.