MEDIA RELEASE \u2013 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014<\/p>\n
by Steve Dettre – ATFA Vice President<\/p>\n
The Socceroos will not be the only ones in action this weekend in Belgium, with two Australians competing in the Table Football World Cup in the Belgian town of Rochefort.<\/p>\n
Peter Thomas from Canberra, and Robert Green from Sydney, will compete in the Open and Veteran categories at the 18th Federation of International Sports Table Football (FISTF) World Cup.<\/p>\n
Thomas has previously played in three world cups, as an Under 16 in 1996, then Under 20 in 1998 and 2002 in the Open category, representing his native England, before migrating to Australia in 2009 and becoming a citizen in 2013.<\/p>\n
His biggest challenge could be coming up against his \u2018big brother\u2019 Chris, who will represent England at the tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cChris is currently ranked 17th in the world rankings in the Open category and is regularly in the top 10, and unfortunately he has the edge on me in recent meetings, but you never know what could happen at the World Cup,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n
For Thomas, and Green, a former Australian national champion who has lived and worked in Sweden for years, the main task is to revive Australia\u2019s presence in the table football community, after being foundation members of FISTF in 1993.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we want to do is showcase our sport, show the skill and excitement of the game, and highlight how competition can add to enjoyment of the game,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n
The Australian Table Football Federation was revived this year after a lapse of a decade, and has grand plans to organise an Asian Table Football Cup in January 2015. Already players from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong have committed to taking part in the tournament, which will coincide with the AFC Asian Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re gradually building clubs back up around the country, with players \u2013 young and old \u2013 learning the rules, picking up the skills, and having some great fun,\u201d said Thomas, who is also the president of the national body.<\/p>\n
\u201cMelbourne and Sydney are the strongest growth points of the game, with tremendously energetic clubs in both cities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hoping we can get some credible results in Rochefort, and encourage others to aim to take part in international competitions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For more information, please contact:
\nSteve Dettre on 0408420234 or steve.dettre@globalmediaservices.com.au
\nhttp:\/\/subbuteoaustralia.com\/<\/p>\n