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The only outdoor three-wall wallball court in the UK has quickly become the envy of players across the world as Nelson is set to host more major tournaments.

Formed in 2022, the Welsh Wallball Association in Nelson has grown to support more than 60 members, aged from as young as five all the way through to over-60s.

Wallball, also known as one-wall handball, is a sport that involves two people hitting a small rubber ball against a wall with their hands.

Michelle Hooper, who is both secretary and player at the club, told Caerphilly Observer: “Since we started the club we’ve been to events in Belgium, the Netherlands twice, London, and even hosted the European tour, which we’ve managed to secure again this year.

“It’s been a very successful period, especially the European event which saw players from all over Europe come to Nelson. They told us it had been a bucket list venue for them.”

Thanks to money provided by the council’s Community Empowerment Fund, the group has managed to buy kits for the players, and recently had the court resurfaced ready for more tournaments.

It’s allowed the club to grow the game, with more than 25 youth members alone coached by Paul Rogers. He said: “It’s been mental really, we have built a court in Trelewis Community Centre and as soon as the kids get home from school they’re straight on it.

“We have a job to drag them off at night, they’re there whenever they get a chance.”

The growth and enthusiasm from within the community has led to success for the club, which has picked-up gold and silver medals at recent tournaments.

Paul himself landed Wales a gold in France in December, and more recently Ceri John Ivins won gold in the junior boys group in London.

Michelle continued: “Over in Ireland, we’ve had a lot of articles written about us and our success, as well as talking about the court itself. It has been great to see.

“Wallball Worldwide even has the Welsh flag incorporated into their logo now which proves how much we’ve grown.”

Due to their growth, Michelle, Paul, and coach Leigh Tiley have been visiting schools across Caerphilly County Borough, and getting more children involved in wallball.

Michelle said: “We’ve just come from Ty’n y Wern Primary, who are studying sports from the Victorian era. They absolutely loved learning about and playing wallball. Even in the rain they were all out playing.”

Paul explained how getting out and about in the community will attract more players, something the club is keen to do ahead of the European tour in June. which attracted more than 200 spectators last year.

Unfortunately, like many sports in Wales, there is no funding to support travel and accommodation costs, meaning the club has had to rely on donations or community fundraising efforts.

“The Co-op has been great in Nelson in supporting us, and people have donated generously via the GoFundMe page. But we’re always needing more”, Michelle said.

She added: “The sport itself is really accessible which is the beauty of it, all you need is a ball which they currently sell in a corner shop in Nelson.”

When speaking to Caerphilly Observer, the three had high praise for Caerphilly Council leader Sean Morgan, who represents the Nelson ward. Michelle said: “Without Sean providing grants for kits and resurfacing we wouldn’t have been able to host any of these tournaments.

“We see him around often and he’s been a real champion for us and the sport.”

As well as summer tournaments in Nelson, the club are preparing for the world championships, which are being held in Limerick, Ireland, between August 18 and 23.

To help support with costs, you can email the club on: welshwallball@gmail.com