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The Nelson-based Welsh Wallball Association has secured six gold medals and two silvers on the international stage – marking the club’s most successful tournament yet.

Six players from the association travelled to Toulouse, France, earlier this month for the 1Wall World tour, which was held between Friday December 5 and Sunday December 7.

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.

On the first night, four of the association’s members represented Wales for the mixed doubles group, which saw two Welsh teams and three French sides battle it out for the title.

There was an-all Welsh final, with Michelle Hooper and Leigh Tiley winning gold, while Steven Meaney and Ellie Cherrett clinched silver.

The singles tournament was then held on the Saturday. Cherrett, in her first tournament outside Wales, reached the semi-final of the Women’s B group, while Hooper missed out on a place by just one point.

Meanwhile, Joshua Thomas – who was competing in his first-ever tournament – impressed in the Men’s group C plate, where he reached the semi-finals.

There was also the men’s over-40s singles, where Meaney won gold, having seen off the challenge of Tiley in the semis. The pair joined forces the following day for the men’s over-40s doubles.

They came up against a French and Irish duo, who proved stern opponents, but the Welsh competitors prevailed to win the gold medal after an impressive display.

There was another victory for Meaney when he paired up with Irishman James Dempsey. Together, they won their two matches to secure another gold.

Formed in 2022, the Welsh Wallball Association has grown to support more than 60 members of all ages, and has welcomed some of the world’s best players to the “bucket list venue” in Nelson – which is the only outdoor three-wall wallball court in the UK.

The group’s trip to southern France was supported by Nelson’s Co-Op store, through its community fund.

Their next competition will be held at Trelewis Community Centre and the club’s indoor court at the end of January, before the team heads to London the following month for the UK Open 1Wall Tour.