Colourful balls, energetic music and bizarre outfits created a lively scene at Saturday’s dodgeball tournament. Groups of eager participants and spectators gathered at Alec Mullins Hall at Rhodes to witness this hectic knock-out sport.
Colourful balls, energetic music and bizarre outfits created a lively scene at Saturday’s dodgeball tournament. Groups of eager participants and spectators gathered at Alec Mullins Hall at Rhodes to witness this hectic knock-out sport.
Pep talks and war cry’s resonated through the hall as the fast paced tournament kicked off. Weaker teams were eliminated within seconds, while the stronger sides fought frantically to the end, often with just one player holding the fort. Amid blazing balls the spectators were often forced to make a dash for safety.
According to the 2004 comedy Dodgeball, “If you’re going to become true dodgeballers, then you’ve got to learn the five d’s of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.” Centenary House competitor Robert Jardine excitedly relayed that his six-man team watched the movie in preparation for the event.
The National Amateur Dodgeball Association states that the game begins by placing six rubber-coated foam balls along the centre line. Players then take a position behind their end line and after a signal the teams may rush out to retrieve the balls. The game can be played indoors or outdoors on any rectangular court. The object is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them out. This may be done by hitting an opposing player with a ball below the shoulders.
The event was organised through Galela Amanzi, a Rhodes University student project, currently raising money for rainwater tanks. The tanks will be installed mainly at schools and community centres, said official organiser Nick Lutsich. “Each team had to pay R100 to participate and all the proceeds will go towards the project,” said Lutsich.
The bubbly atmosphere was aided by Red Bull, which sponsored the event. Some of the prizes included medals, Red Bull merchandise, drinks vouchers from The Juice Bar and Pirates Pizza as well as a game drive through a five star nature reserve. At 4pm the final battle ensued between the bandana sporting Smuts boys and the Cory House boys. For a few gruelling minutes the opposing teams dodged, ducked and dived their way to safety. It soon became apparent that the monstrous Jan Smuts team had the strongest side and wasted no time tactfully ganging up on and eliminating Corry.
“The day has been very successful,” said Lutsich impressed by the turnout. “The competition exceeded all expectations,” said Jardine. “It was fantastically fun, much better than inter-res sport, and all for a good cause.”
