The Ireland women's national spikeball team will make their debut at the World Roundnet Championship in Paris, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country. The team's formation and participation were spurred by a desire to create a women's contingent for a sport typically played by both genders.
Anna O'Flanagan, manager of the new team, initiated the effort after learning that no women's team from Ireland was registered for the championship. She quickly assembled a squad, including her daughters and niece, and registered for the event. The team has rapidly expanded from an initial six players to the full 12-player roster required for international competition. They will be joined by two experienced players: Melaine Hu, a French resident in Dublin who played on the Irish men's team, and Ashling Hinchely, a U.S.-born Irish citizen who recently relocated to Ireland.
"This was back at the end of June, so it has been a bit of a whirlwind, to be honest," O'Flanagan stated. She described the team's journey as being "like Cool Runnings meets Dodgeball meets Bend It Like Beckham," highlighting their rapid development from novices to world championship competitors.
The team has been training intensively, preparing for the tournament which begins in the French capital. Roundnet, also known as Spikeball, is a 2-on-2 volleyball game invented by Jeff Knurek in 1989. Players stand on opposite sides of a small, trampoline-like net and have three hits to bounce a miniature volleyball off the net to the opposing team.
Sport's Resurgence and Global Reach
The sport experienced a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with communities forming across Ireland, including in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Belfast, and Galway. However, the game saw a decline in activity in recent years before being revived by Ben Marnell. Marnell, who is part of the Irish men's team competing in Paris, became involved after meeting the president of the International Roundnet Federation while in Australia.
"To be honest, at the moment, our playing base is just in Dublin, but we are hoping to spread the word and get the community growing again around the country," Marnell said. Currently, there are approximately 80 active players and 140 community members in Ireland. The men's team aims to finish at the top of their seeding bracket among 33 other nations.
Globally, roundnet is a major sport in countries like the U.S., Canada, and Germany, where tournaments can draw over 1,000 players. The sport has achieved professional status in nine countries.
Inclusivity and Future Growth
The sport has also gained attention for its inclusivity. Last year, British tennis player Emma Raducanu mentioned using roundnet to improve her movement during injury recovery. Volleyball Ireland has also used the game as an introductory activity for students.
O'Flanagan emphasized the welcoming nature of the roundnet community. "The community has been very welcoming to us and our players," she said. "They want to grow the sport, that is their goal, so any new players, any new members, they have been very encouraging and helping us along. It really has been an inclusive environment."
The World Roundnet Championship will be livestreamed by the International Roundnet Federation, with updates also available on their social media channels. For the Irish teams, the goal in Paris extends beyond competition, focusing on fostering a sense of community and promoting the sport's inclusive spirit worldwide.