ELLESMERE Port’s Rob Kearns was an award winner at the Euro Dodgeball Championships.
The 25-year-old, who played at the tournament in Chester for Ireland Celts, won the Sporting Spirit Award for his excellent sportsmanship.
At the end of every match, the captain from the opposing team would nominate the player they thought played the game in the right way – and Kearns came out on top.
The England Lions were the overall competition winners and, despite his team losing out to the champions in the quarter-finals, Kearns was ecstatic with his achievement.
He said: “I’m made up I’ve managed to win this award.
“I felt I played really well so on a personal level its great to be recognised for that and to know I was obviously doing something right.
“But I was so surprised with the support we got.
“My throat is a little sore at the moment as I had to shout so loud on the court to get instructions to the team because of how great the support was.
“It just made the whole tournament that little bit better.”
Dodgeball – made famous by the 2004 Ben Stiller film of the same name – is a six-a-side team sport featuring six balls which are thrown across a court. If you are hit, then you are eliminated.
Kearns, who qualified to represent at the Celts at the weekend because of his Irish heritage, plays for the Ellesmere Port Pirates in the National League.
He praised the efforts of fellow Pirates Kayleigh Parry, who won the silver medal with the Wales Dragons women’s team, and David Dyke, who played for Ireland.
“I have to give a special mention to those two,” Kearns added.
“It was fantastic for Kayleigh to get the silver medal.
“Its great that we are able to have the likes of Kayleigh and David playing for the Pirates and hopefully with that talent the club can grow.”
The Pirates have an open door policy, allowing anyone to join at any time. For further information visit www.ellesmereportpirates.co.uk .
