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| Team captains CHANTEL HUNTER, CHARLIE CHARMER, GEMMA SMITH, SALMA BI AND NATASHA PERRY |
DATE: February 16, 2013
LOCATION: Birmingham International Futsal Arena
EVENT: World Dodgeball Championship 2013
ORGANISERS: Believe in MAD (Making a Difference) Foundation (Salma Bi); Sporting Pathways (Gemma Smith)
PROLIFIC fund-raisers Salma Bi and Gemma Smith spread their wings when they staged their latest sporting event.
Without much funding Sporting Pathways still managed to deliver a success through a sport which is not played much at all in the United Kingdom.
The sport was DODGEBALL.
The WORLD DODGEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP was held at Birmingham International Futsal Arena on February 16. The event was supposed to happen a month earlier, but the bad weather caused a postponement.
Five teams of six ladies took part and the whole day was a resounding success.
TY GOBAITH/HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN'S HOSPICE was the chosen charity to benefit from the fourth event organised by Salma and Gemma.
Based in the Conwy Valley, North Wales, Hope House provides specialist nursing care and support to life-limited children, young people and young adults.
Its support extends to the whole family from diagnosis, throughout the lifetime of the child and beyond.
Salma decided to support Hope House on the recommendation of her friend and PR agent Dave Jones, a North Wales based sports journalist.
The proceeds of the event were handed to Hope House at their office on Tuesday and the hospice was thoroughly delighted with an official letter of thanks on its way to Salma.
Salma and Gemma run two sporting charity organisations.
Award-winning cricketer Salma co-ordinates the charity Believe in MAD (Making a Difference) and Gemma, technical manager at the Birmingham Futsal Arena, is founder of the organisation Sporting Pathways which provides widespread sporting opportunities in the community.
Having already delivered three successful fund-raisers in 2012, the 10 AND 20 HOUR FUTSAL MARATHONS and the T10 INDOOR CRICKET WORLD CUP, MAD Productions and Sporting Pathways were ready to go that one bigger and better to start 2013.
World Dodge Ball 2013 was announced with six teams – six continents all set to go on January 19th but the weather got better of things making it risky for teams who were travelling and organiser had no choice but to postpone the date.
All that was left for now was to enjoy was the Dodgeball movie on January 18 on SKY MOVIES.
A 10 Day Countdown which hypes up the event BRAWL4ALL was routinely done but Salma and Gemma had to post up the 10 days again only to leave the final day this time before the new date, February 16.
Highlights included:
Gemma Smith #World DodgeBall Brawl4All Countdown# so the snow has got the better of us, even with the option of a mini bus, shame but it’s better to do it another day, I’ll get another date there will be no delay, for now sit tight in your seat, I know very soon we will meet. #westillgotgame
Salma Bi - Day 9-Not Long now, before we Meet. Forget History this is a New Sheet. Sit back tight in Ur Seat.You are Prey, It’s what the Cobras Eat.
Ready to raise the roof, organisers brought in a Bouncy Castle too! The promotions kicked off with the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Players arrived on the day by 2pm approx. but some players pulled out last minute which left 5 teams to participate instead of 6.
A neutral decision was made by combining two teams together and then selecting the captain.
Teams Announced:
American Coyotes: Chantel Hunter, Ily Oulkadi, Shareen Bi, Aman Kaur, Tina Daley Lakeru, Simi Panesar.
European Mammoths: Natasha Perry, Saphri Lines, Lucy Harper, Kayleigh Sage, Jo Rawlinson, Kirsty Lawie.
African Meerkats: Gemma Smith, Gemma Goode, Tami Young, Naiomi Melbourne, Sarah Tucker, Treena Greeves.
Arctic Whales: Charlie Charmer, Nicky Preston, Sophie Molyneux, Melissa Pace, Sam Taylor, Beth Poppleton.
Asian Cobras: Salma Bi, Aisha Bi, Dilara Begum, Vicky Roe, Saddi Shan, Indy Bharaj.
Guest players at previous events had travelled from Manchester, London, Wales and Yorkshire and this time the European Mammoths Team journeyed all the way from Brighton.
European Mammoths: Natasha Perry, Saphri Lines, Lucy Harper, Kayleigh Sage, Jo Rawlinson, Kirsty Lawie.
African Meerkats: Gemma Smith, Gemma Goode, Tami Young, Naiomi Melbourne, Sarah Tucker, Treena Greeves.
Arctic Whales: Charlie Charmer, Nicky Preston, Sophie Molyneux, Melissa Pace, Sam Taylor, Beth Poppleton.
Asian Cobras: Salma Bi, Aisha Bi, Dilara Begum, Vicky Roe, Saddi Shan, Indy Bharaj.
Guest players at previous events had travelled from Manchester, London, Wales and Yorkshire and this time the European Mammoths Team journeyed all the way from Brighton.
The Australian Kangaroos didn’t make it to the event but the show must go on!
THE EVENT
Team Captains in gear, referees in the know about rules, camera crew present, captains, team photos and Dodge Balls on the Centre Line, whistle at the ready and teams ready for the rush!
The games kicked off, each game lasting for 10 minutes and each team to play a team twice with leader board updates, Food, drinks provided...and action footage all recorded.
Matches were very intense and heart racing, Spectators looked on as teams Ducked, Danced, Dived, Dodged, and a few matrix and 007 Rolls around the Court.
No Head Shots counted but that didn’t stop the opponents from behaving like Animals.
Teams were lashing out on each other in the hope to wipe out full six players for elimination or just to survive for a draw if they had more players still live on the court.
Each team produced some great talent!
American Coyotes were the survivors of the Jungle who held onto the Dodge Balls.
European Mammoths looked like a well prepared Professional Dodge Ball Team.
African Meerkats chose to split up in two packs that sneaked upon the opponents.
Asian Cobras were busy shuffling, attempting a Slam Dunk that went wrong.
Arctic Whales mixed up players who sent out bait to the centre line and attacked from behind.
A Player of the Event Performance came from African Meerkats Naiomi Melbourne who was last man standing against the Asian Cobras, a 4 vs 1 match where she tackled her way through and managed to eliminate the opposing team!
A mixture of tactics, fun and arm breaking throws with superb efforts of surviving to qualify for the Semi Finals.
RESULTS after Each Team playing 8 Games
ASIAN COBRAS 90 4THPLACEARCTIC WHALES 320 2NDPLACE
AMERICAN CAYOTES 55 5TH PLACE
AFRICAN MEERKATS 270 3RD PLACE
EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 350 1ST PLACE
It was the end of the trail for American Coyotes standing in 5th Place who wasn’t last, just not strong enough for the bigger beasts.
Captains were offered a Three-Man Elimination Match or 10 Minute Clockdown Match.
Referees agreed to stick with 10 Minutes which was then declared by points attained each game.
Semi-Final 1 European Mammoths v African Meerkats
A very Intense game. The African Meerkats showed true determination with a whole team effort but The European Mammoths were in full control of their land, Dodging Balls and taking catches forcing the Meerkats into Elimination.
Semi-Final 2 Arctic Whales v Asian Cobras
A match that was vital for both teams.
Guaranteed place into the final, all it took was a bite out the opponent. Nobody would have thought this but in the 10 Minute Match Arctic Whales were eliminated only to make a comeback and eliminate the Asian Cobras with two seconds to spare!
Referees offered captains for a Sudden Death or another 10 Minute Match and both agreed on another gritty gruelling 10 minute match.
All for glory both teams attacked when possible, The Arctic Whales looked strong with five minutes still remaining and now in a 2 vs. 1 player situation.
Aisha fought her way through trying her best to survive the electrifying blows from Nicky and Sophie. Chances were slim as the Cobras chanting take a catch for help began by doing the Mexican Wave in the hope of inspiration.
With still a minute remaining The Cobras were no size for the destruction of the Whales as Sophie landed a full blown throw to the final Cobra still standing.
Final European Mammoths v Arctic Whales
The showdown that depends on the World Dodge Ball Trophy Championship, a game for Survival of the Fittest and it was still anyone’s match with two hard hitting teams who both earlier in the rounds did beat each other once each.
The time ticked away and both teams began battle, with three minutes remaining only two players each side were out but soon the European Mammoths attacked their prey and came out on top.
Arctic Whales held on long enough but not enough to win, a mammoth of a battle which ended with First Ever Women’s World Dodge Ball 2013 Crowned Winners - EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS!
Natasha Perry, leading the team to victory, deserved the title for all day they showed charisma and team work.
PRESENTATION
Salma said:
"Another event complete! A big thank you to all S&S Group for assisting with footage, Sue with catering, Aisha and Supernova setting up, Trophy Shop for the Trophies and Medals, Referees for their commitment and My Side Kick Jules for supporting me from start to finish!"
AMERICAN COYOTES FIFTH PLACE BRONZE MEDALIST
Prize SIMI PANESAR – Best arm in the Team, Most Players Eliminated.
ASIAN COBRAS FOURTH PLACE SILVER MEDALIST
Prize AISHA BI – taking on a 2 vs. 1 Battle in the Semi-Final
AFRICAN MEERKATS THIRD PLACE SILVER MEDALIST
Prize NAIOMI MELBOURNE – Eliminating a Team on her own on a 4 vs. 1 Battle
ARCTIC WHALES SECOND PLACE SILVER MEDALIST RUNNERS UP
Prize BETH POPPLETON – For a consistent performance leading her team into the Finals
EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS – WORLD DODGEBALL 2013 GOLD MEDALIST CHAMPIONS!
Prize SAPHRI LINES – Player of the Day and the Force behind the team!
The day finished with the best result that was possible, raising money for a good cause, encouraging girls/women to participate in national sporting events and setting a new record by hosting a sport no one has yet attempted!
World Dodge Ball is now a sport that will be played by more groups in the UK and give Sporting Pathways something more proud of.
Tribute Video Launching soon
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