In preparation of the World Games 2021 in Birmingham, IFA was part of The World Games Media Workshop in Madrid at the Olympic Channel (OC) headquarters. We got a first glimpse of the production plan for TWG21 in the US and held fruitful talks with our partners including OC and Sportradar concerning our future development for Social media, broadcasting and data science were held. During the two day event we also had the opportunity to visit the La Liga headquarters, as they opened up a department for Non-Soccer sports some years ago.
30 years ago the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the UN.
On today´s World Children’s Day IFA President Jörn Verleger said, “IFA is focusing very much on children. We as a sports organization have the obligation to act in the best interests of the children. Especially in the area of manufacturing sports equipment, it is our duty to protect children from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.”
To protect and support children IFA has
1. established in 2016 an athletes safeguarding policy especially for minors under the age of eighteen years,
2. put the requirement on its sports equipment manufacturers to ban child work in the production process of its sports equipment and reduce the weight of balls for kids to increase the positive effects of playing Fistball,
3. founded in 2017 a Fistball Academy to support the education of young fistball players on and outside the court.
“To strengthen the rights of children I will suggest the next Board of Directors meeting on Saturday 23 November in Linz to elect an Under18 representative as member of the IFA Youth and Sports Commission”, said Verleger.
“Every child should have a right to practice sport and to play Fistball”, added Uwe Schneider, chair of the IFA Youth and Sports Commission.
Currently 25 percent of the 65.000 Fistball players worldwide in 61 countries are under 25 and half of this group are minors under 18.
More information: https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx
The International Fistball Association (IFA), Federacion Chilena de Faustball (FChF) and the local organizing team of Club Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue have the honor to invite all IFA members around the world to participate in the IFA 2020 Fistball Women´s World Championship Chile which will take place in Llanquihue, Los Lagos, Chile, from 2 – 7 November 2020.
The team registration deadline is 8 December 2019.
IFA has now published the 20WWC Bulletin 0 with all information for its members.
The IFA Fistball World Tour Final will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, USA from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July 2020. The winners of the continental club competitions and the best two teams in the World Tour Ranking will meet in the city where The World Games will be held a year later in a women’s and a men’s competition.
Exactly one year before The World Games 2021 in Birmingham are opened, the best fistball club teams are already guests in the “Magic City” Birmingham and are fighting for the highest title at club level.
The World Tour Final is also an ideal test for the framework conditions at The World Games just one year later. As early as 2020, the athletes will experience the same conditions as the best national fistball teams in 2021. Many of the players who participate in the World Tour Final with their clubs also play in the national teams.
Birmingham has an excellent infrastructure to host the final event with its venue at the campus of Birmingham Southern College. Athletes will be accommodated directly on the campus, just 100 meters from the Center Court. With the generous support of The World Games organizing team, the participating teams can look forward to a great final.
“The World Tour Finals 2020 is a great opportunity for us to put our plans into practice before The World Games 2021. Both events are very similar in terms of the number of athletes and the procedures. In addition, we want to use the World Tour Finals to further raise the profile of fistball in North America. We are looking forward to great matches from the best fistball teams in the world and a high class event,” said Steve Mistrot, Vice President of Sports for The World Games 2021 Organizing Committee.
“We will see the best eight women’s and men’s teams that have qualified as continental champions or via the World Tour. Each of the nearly 115 teams that took part in the World Tour had the chance to qualify for the final. Our fistball sport is growing worldwide and is constantly opening up new regions, and our still young World Tour is also constantly evolving,” says Winfried Kronsteiner, Chairman of the IFA Sports Commission and initiator of the World Tour.
With the Swim and Sports Club from New Jersey the North American champion will also participate in the men’s event and compete with the best teams in the world. The defending champions TSV Pfungstadt (Men, Germany) and TSV Dennach (Women, Germany) will also take part.
The current IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Ranking presented by CINT leads both the men with the Tigers Vöcklabruck and the women with Union Nussbach an Austrian team.
A total of 115 women’s and men’s teams from 10 countries and five continents will take part in the IFA Fistball World Tour 2019. 29 tournaments on five continents are part of the 2019 season.
The International Fistball Association (IFA) in cooperation with Faustball Austria (ÖFBB) and UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting today invited all 61 IFA member federations around the world to participate in the IFA 2020 Fistball U18 Men’s and Women´s World Championship Austria which will take place in Grieskirchen, Upper Austria, Austria, from 23 – 26 July 2020. The team registration deadline is 30 November 2019.
IFA has now published the U18WC Bulletin 0 with all information for its members.
Second meeting of the IFA Board of Directors via Skype with participants from Oceania, Europe, North and South America. The board confirmed several commission members and officers for the new term 2019 – 2023. 40 % of the today´s confirmed proposals are female. Further commissions will be approved in the next board meeting on 23 November.
IFA is still finalizing the composition of the new Youth Commission under the chair of Uwe Schneider and the Entourage Commission. Interested? Apply under office@ifa-fistball.com
IFA Referees Commission: Alwin Oberkersch (GER), Gastao Englert (BRA) and Wolfgang Weiss (AUT).
IFA Sports for All Commission: Peter Hinterholzer (AUT) and José Luís Eltz (BRA)
IFA Women in Sport Commission: Wioleta Franczyk (POL) and Eva Krämer (GER)
IFA Medical and Anti-Doping Commission: Dr. Giana Daniela Hexsel (BRA), Dr. Klaus Langer (GER) and Dr. Reinhard Achleitner (AUT)
IFA Development Director Roger Willen (SUI)
IFA Olympic Education Director Gastao Englert (BRA)
IFA Harassment Director Theresa Eidenhammer (AUT) and Vikki Buston (NZL)
IFA Data Protection Officer Fritz Unger (GER)
IFA Anti-Doping Administrator Theresa Eidenhammer (AUT)
The IFA Athletes´ Commission is now composed by Ines Mayer (AUT), Katharina Lackinger (AUT), Hinrike Seitz (GER), Celina Traxler (SUI), Eric Kindler (USA), Nick Trinemeier (GER), Malik Müller (SUI) and Cristóbal Mödinger Kappes (CHI).
SALZBURG. The German teams were unstoppable at this year’s Faustball World Tour Final at Sportzentrum Nord in Salzburg. TSV Pfungstadt triumphed for the men and TSV Dennach for the women.
Dennach defeats SOGIPA Porto Alegre in the final
In the Women’s Bronze Medal Match, the South American champion of Duque de Caxias (BRA) showed the Swiss team of TSV Jona their limits and won clearly 3-0. The Gold Medal Match between Dennach (GER) and SOGIPA (BRA) was a very exciting affair. The Germans convinced with a powerful attacking game and went quickly with 2-0 in front. But Porto Alegre fought back and was able to shorten to 1-2 in sets. In a high-level game it was Dennach with the larger routine that could secure the title.
Gold Medal Match TSV Dennach (GER) vs SOGIPA Porto Alegre (BRA) – 15 Sep 2019 at the IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Final in Salzburg, Austria, Photo by Valentin Weber / IFA
Pfungstadt impressive to gold
The fans in Salzburg experienced a real thriller in the match for third place between the Local Heroes from Vöcklabruck and Duque de Caxias (BRA). A 1-2 setback did not bring Vöcklabruck from the rest and with the local fans behind the Austrians won the first medal in an international competition. The Men’s Gold Medal Match between European Champions Cup winner TSV Pfungstadt (GER) and defending champion Novo Hamburgo (BRA) was easy game for the Germans. The Brazilians comitted numerous attacking mistakes and had to give the strongly playing Team from Pfungstadt as they lost 0-3.
Gold Medal Match TSV Pfungstadt (GER) vs Novo Hamburgo (BRA) – 15 Sep 2019 at the IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Final in Salzburg, Austria, Photo by Valentin Weber / IFA
Final event in Salzburg a great success
From the organizers point of view, the IFA is very satisfied with the final in Salzburg. In fantastic weather, the fistball world elite attracted more than 2,000 spectators to Sportzentrum Nord on three days. More than 5.000 fans followed the livestream and ORF showed the final day live on Austrian sports television.
Bronze Medal Match Women’s:
Duque de Caxias (BRA) – TSV Jona (SUI) | 3:0 (11:09, 11:04, 11:08)
Bronze Medal Match Men’s:
Union Tigers Vöcklabruck (AUT) – Duque der Caxias (BRA) | 3:2 (08:11, 13:11, 09:11, 11:08, 11:06)
Gold Medal Match Women’s:
SOGIPA Porto Alegre (BRA) – TSV Dennach (GER) | 1:3 (08:11, 09:11, 11:08, 09:11)
Gold Medal Match Men’s:
SG Novo Hamburgo (BRA) – TSV Pfungstadt (GER) | 0:3 (09:11, 04:11, 03:11)
Final Ranking Women’s:
TSV Dennach (GER)
2. SOGIPA Porto Alegre (BRA)
3. Clube Duque de Caxias (BRA)
4. TSV Jona (SUI)
5. SG Novo Hamburgo (BRA)
5. TSV Calw (GER)
7. Union Nußbach (AUT)
7. SVD Diepoldsau (SUI)
Victory Ceremony – 15 Sep 2019 at the IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Final in Salzburg, Austria, Photo by Valentin Weber / IFA
Final Ranking Men’s:
TSV Pfungstadt (GER)
2. SG Novo Hamburgo (BRA)
3. Tigers Vöcklabruck (AUT)
4. Clube Duque de Caxias (BRA)
5. CCAA Rosario (ARG)
5. STV Wigoltingen (SUI)
7. TV Vaihingen (GER)
7. FG Elgg-Ettenhausen (SUI)
Victory Ceremony – 15 Sep 2019 at the IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Final in Salzburg, Austria, Photo by Valentin Weber / IFA
SALZBURG. At the Fistball World Tour Final in Salzburg the matchups for the Medal games are determined. The home team from Vöcklabruck narrowly missed the Gold Medal match losing to defending champion Novo Hamburgo (BRA).
Pure excitement in the Brazil derby – Upset win for SOGIPA female team
The big favorite and defending champion Duque de Caxias (BRA) was put to the test in the semi-final against second Brazilian team SOGIPA Porto Alegre. The young team from Porto Alegre showed their best fistball skills and returned the favor for the semi-final defeat last year with an emotional 3-1 victory. In the second semifinal European Champions Cup winner Dennach from Germany made short work with the Swiss representative from TSV Jona. Thus, the Gold Medal Match is played SOGIPA Porto Alegre against TSV Dennach.
Semi-Final Match TSV Dennach (GER) vs. TSV Jona (SUI) – 14 Sep 2019 at the IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Final in Salzburg, Austria, Photo by Valentin Weber / IFA
Novo Hamburgo preserves title chance after thriller
In the first men’s semi-final Vöcklabruck challanged the defending champion Novo Hamburgo from Brazil where both teams showed a strong performance. Fueled by the numerous fans, the Austrians were able to defend no less than four match balls. However, Novo Hamburgo kept their nerves up in a match on the highest level and entered the Gold Medal Match with much cheers. There they meet the German champion TSV Pfungstadt, who impressively showed their class and defeated Duque de Caxias 3-0.
Semi-Final Match SG Novo Hamburgo (BRA) vs. Union Tigers Voecklabruck (AUT) – 14 Sep 2019 at the IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Final in Salzburg, Austria, Photo by Valentin Weber / IFA
Results Semi-Finals Women‘s:
Duque de Caxias (BRA) – SOGIPA Porto Alegre (BRA)
1:3 (10:12, 11:08, 09:11, 10:12)
SALZBURG. On the first day of the Fistball World Tour Finals, the favorites prevailed. In the Men’s competition Pfungstadt and Novo Hamburgo showed a power demonstration and advance to the semifinals. In the women’s tournament Dennach and Duque de Caxias were unstoppable.
Pfungstadt and Novo Hamburgo invincible
Last year’s winner Novo Hamburgo from Brazil was able to win new edition of the Gold Medal Match from 2018 against Wigoltingen surprisingly clear. In the South American derby between Novo Hamburgo and Duque de Caxias, the reigning champion continued the run of success and enters the semi-finals without losing a single set. Also Pfungstadt (GER) marches into the semi-finals with two 3-0 wins against Vaihingen / Enz and Vöcklabruck. Elgg-Ettenhausen and Vaihingen / Enz already lost twice today, therefore the tournament is already over for them.
Duque on the best way to defend title
Duque de Caxias proved the supremacy in the international women’s fistball once again. Both Nußbach and Calw were overrun by the South Americans 3-0. The second semi-finalists are confirmed with the European Champions Cup winner TSV Dennach (GER). Surprisingly, the World Tour ranking leaders from Nußbach (AUT) are out for the rest of the tournament and so is Diepoldsau (SUI).
State of Salzburg supports the top event
Salzburg Councilor for sport Stefan Schnöll visited the venue to day and witnessed matchup of the world’s best fistball teams. “The sport of fistball has increasingly gaining popularity, and as Salzburg’s Sport Councilor I am delighted to welcome the top teams in our state this weekend. The World Tour Finals provide an important additional boost to the variety of sport in Austria,” said Schnöll.
Christoph Oberlehner (IFA Sercretary General), Karl Weiss (Honory President IFA), Stefan Schnoell (Sport Councilor – State of Salzburg), Joern Verleger (President – IFA) at the IFA 2019 Fistball World Tour Finals in Salzburg, Austria on 2019-09-13 – Photo by Patrick Hummel
Preview for Saturday
The second matchday is all about the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Below is the program for Saturday 14.9.
The newly elected IFA Presidency under the leadership of IFA President Jörn Verleger unanimously adopted the IFA Strategic Plan 2019 – 2023 in its first meeting after the elections. The meeting took place immediately after the elections in Winterthur.
The strategic aims are:
1. High quality IFA events
2. Governance structures according to good governance principles
3. IFA serves as service-oriented organisation for its member federations providing real stake-holder value
4. Use of international platforms and participation in international Multisport events serves as showcase for Fistball
5. Increase youth appeal of Fistball
Our vision for the year 2023:
– IFA is an International Federation recognised by the IOC
– A success at the IWGA World Games 2021 has secured a men´s and women´s event on the programme of the IWGA World Games Chengdu 2025
– IFA is a member of the International Masters Games Association and applies for a place on the programme of the European Masters Games
– 30 teams participate at the IFA 2023 Fistball Men`s World Championships Qualifiers
– IFA has 5 Continental Associations organising Championships
– 60 countries participating in Continental Championships
– IFA Youth development has led to a participation of 14 teams at the 2020 World Champi-onships Austria and the 2022 World Championships New Zealand
– Media development has secured an international TV-Broadcast contract
– Marketing development has secured an international Sponsorship contract
– IFA counts 65 70 Member Federations
– IFA has sold 12.000 tickets for the final day of the IFA 2023 Fistball Men´s World Champi-onship Germany
– IFA is IPC recognized
– IFA is part of the World Urban Games 2023
– IFA has developed a second discipline
– Fistball as official sport at the CSIT World Sport Games
– IFA has developed the Fistball Academy to an established format for the promotion of Fistball.
The draft of the Strategic Plan had been discussed by the Board of Directors since the beginning of the year and was presented in detail to the member federations during the IFA Membership Gathering on 12 August.
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