Northern Ireland football legend Gerry Armstrong has helped launch a new social enterprise project launched by Street Soccer NI.
The Teqball Centre will give people the opportunity to try a sport they may have only seen on TV or the internet.
Played on a curved table, combining elements of football and table tennis, Teqball sees players hit a football back and forth with any part of the body except arms and hands.
Speaking at the launch at Skainos, Street Soccer NI CEO Justin McMinn commented: “We are delighted to open the first Teqball Centre in Northern Ireland.
"It is an exciting development for the new sport, suitable for professional footballers and amateur enthusiasts. It’s already popular with our Street Soccer players and I know others will enjoy the game.’’
First invented in 2012 in Hungary, the creative idea came from Gábor Borsányi, who used to play football on a table tennis table.
By 2014 the curved table was developed to help the ball bounce to players and in 2016 Teqball was officially presented by ambassador, Brazilian ex-football player Ronaldinho.
Former Northern Ireland international striker Armstrong said: “It is great to see this new sport begin to take off in Northern Ireland.
"It’s a new innovation that can only help with skill and technique, It’s all positive.’’
Street Soccer NI is a registered charity which uses football as a hook to engage people with services surrounding homelessness, addiction, unemployment, mental health and social marginalisation.
The charity supports regular players with the issues they face, giving them support with housing and helping them to maintain their tenancy, getting them into work or education, creating pathways for them to gain qualifications in coaching and become a volunteer with the charity.
This social enterprise aims to generate funds for Street Soccer so they can continue deliver their work across Northern Ireland and impact more lives.
Due to Covid it’s even more challenging to fundraise for the charity so they were forced to be more creative in how they bring in funding.
The new equipment is available to individuals and clubs alike. To book, please contact Justin on 077 0490 4714.
