The Racketlon Federation Austria (RFA) is preparing intensely for the home FIR World Championships from August 19-28 in Graz and Vienna. We are delighted to announce that they are the first country to have entered teams in all 12 categories at the tournament.
With Racketlon being officially recognised by Sport Austria, the National Federation, RFA, is in charge of all elite and junior national teams. A total of 24 elite players have been nominated by head coach Edi Stepanek at the beginning of the year. All 24 now have the possibility of qualifying for Team Austria I and Team Austria II. Both will compete at Racketsport Center Graz from August 25-26.
“We want to qualify for the World Cup final”
“With our best team, we want to qualify for the World Cup final. The goal for Team Austria II is a medal in the FIR Nations Cup at the home World Championships”, says RFA President Marcel Weigl.
Another 24 junior players have been called to represent Austria at the FIR World Championships Juniors from August 19-20. Head Coach Philipp Patzelt is selecting the Junior Teams, with the tournament due to take place at Racketworld Vienna. At least one team – or even more – will participate in all age classes. These are U21, U18, U16, U13 and U11.
“Medals are possible and the goal in all classes”
“Our oldest players (Juniors U21) have the biggest chances for gold. Medals are possible and the goal in all classes”, says RFA General Secretary Michael Steiner. All Juniors are training hard and meet on a weekly basis.
Furthermore, a total of six National Team Camp Weekends are being held in Innsbruck, Graz and Vienna before the World Championships. The next one is this weekend (March 25-27) at the RFA Headquarters and training centre, Europahalle, in Vienna.
Apart from the elite and juniors, Austrian amateur and senior teams are also being formed. The Racketlon Federation Styria will nominate players for the Amateur Team Austria III, competing in the FIR Challenge Cup. The Seniors +40 Team is being formed by Racketlon Federation Vienna, while players have been found as captains for Seniors +45, +55 and +65.
The Schedule and Registration for the World Teams Championships are available here.
More information about the World Teams Championships is available here.
Marcel Weigl & Sam Barker
Image Credit / Rene Zwald
