Norfolk teenager a star at Dodgeball

UK dodgeball has grown from strength to strength over the past five years, from being played at local level to its development at club, county, national and now international competitions.

The sport has many similarities to the 2004 film Dodgeball starring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn, and the main objective is to eliminate all members of the opposite team.

This can be done either by hitting them with thrown balls, catching a ball thrown by a member of the opposition, or forcing them to move outside of the court boundaries when a ball is thrown at them.

Former Reepham High School pupil Ed Skinner started playing dodgeball at school when his PE teacher, Katie Lake, introduced the sport into the curriculum and as an extra-curricular activity.

Since then he became the second youngest player to be selected to play for the England Red Lions and he also holds the record for the UK's fastest dodgeball throw at 66mph. He also competed at the first European Dodgeball tournament in London last month.

The teenager, who lives in Reepham and is now studying at Easton College, said: 'I feel very excited to be representing my country in this developing sport and very pleased that I have the UK record for the fastest throw.

'The tournament was great fun and the atmosphere was really amazing.'

Mrs Lake said there were now 300 pupils at the school playing the sport within curriculum time or as an extra-curricular activity.

She said: 'That's the beauty of the game. It is accessible to everyone; all ages, sexes and sporting ability and it is simple to learn and everyone has the ability to get involved as part of a team.'

She refereed at the European tournament and is also in charge of UK women's and girl's dodgeball.

She added: 'I am extremely proud of the amazing progress and achievement that Ed has made since starting the sport.

'He has an astonishing throw that has definitely been helped by his years of javelin training but his knowledge of the rules and tactics keeps growing from strength to strength. Watching him receive his official England shirt and cap before the tournament was a very special moment for both of us.'

Mrs Lake and her star performer run the Reepham Raiders Dodgeball Club, an over-16 club held at Reepham High School on Wednesdays from 6.30-7.30pm.

For more information, email Katie Lake on katie.lake@ukdba.org or visit the UK Dodgeball website at www.ukdba.org.

Do you know someone making huge strides at their sport? Ring reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.