Fistball taught to Roxbury gym classes

ROXBURY A popular European sport that will have its first U.S.-hosted international championship this summer recently made its debut at Roxbury High School.

Members of the United States Fistball Association brought the game to physical education classes at Roxbury’s middle school and high school last Thursday and Friday.

USFA President Bob Feid taught the sport to the classes while Congressman Leonard Lance, Assemblymen Anthony Bucco, and township and school officials stopped by to show their support for the emerging sport.

Roxbury Athletic Director Stuart Mason said Fistball was an interesting exercise for students and an opportunity to learn something new.

“You can’t ask for better instruction than coaches from the national team,” Mason said. “Students took to the game and had fun. It was a good, unique experience and they were coached at the highest level.”

Firstball is closest in similarity to volleyball, but is played with five players per team on a large grass field, and the ball is typically hit with a closed fist. The ball can also hit the ground once before a point is scored. Three hits are allowed before the ball must cross the net.

Mason said the physical education curriculum already has a game that evolved from Fistball in the curriculum, which will continue to be taught and played.

“It’s called Nitro Ball,” Mason said. “We were already playing it and didn’t realize the connection. Fistball and Nitro Ball have a lot of what we look for in physical education activities, teamwork, strategy, and hand-eye coordination.”

The Flanders Swim and Sport Club of Roxbury will host the area’s first Fistball tournament later this month. The club will play the Pennyslvaina-based Phoenix Sports Club on June 27.

The match will help the team prepare for the Pan-American Fistball Games. The four-day games will be held during the final week of August and feature teams from the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. Competing U.S. teams will come from Flanders, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The tournament, running Aug. 27 through 30, includes the Pan-American Championship for national teams and Pan-American Cup for club teams. Both men’s and women’s teams will compete.

Township Manager Chris Raths said a host committee has been formed for the games to ensure all athletes and spectators have a great experience at the Roxbury-hosted event.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting the first Pan-American games in the country,” Raths said. “And the Fistball Association has been doing a great job of bringing the sport to the community through demonstrations. It’s an exciting, fast-paced game that people are going to love.”

Mason said there was some talk about students going to the Swim and Sport Club this summer to play more Fistball.

“That’s the focus of physical education,” Mason said. “Getting students to continue lifelong physical fitness.”

For more information about Fistball, go to www.usfistball.com, and check Roxbury.org for opportunities to volunteer for the Pan-American Games.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com