NHBL Registers With FARTT

The National HyperBall League's (NHBL) application for registration as a form of Rebound Table Tennis competing in Australia has been formally accepted by Federation d'Australian Rebound Table Tennis (FARTT).

FARTT accepted NHBL's application unaltered, including all rule variations, which currently stand as follows (these can be altered by further approval) -

- Extending the distance between the net and back-board from ARTTSL's standard 20cm to 30cm.

- If in travelling the ball strikes or bounces off any other object, such as a wall, shelf, roof or workbench, and otherwise strikes the backboard then the table, then it will be deemed a legal shot.

- Awarding two points for a clean winner (ie: when the opponent does not make any bat contact with the ball before it strikes the floor or the table a second time).

- Extend the matches from first to 11 to first to 13, must win by 2, with teams serving three serves consecutively instead of five.

- Allow players unlimited freedom to establish corporate deals with private organisations without any need for approval.

- Remove the salary cap of $4 million.

The acceptance of registration means HyperBall players are eligible for selection in the Australian team to compete in the World Rebound Table Tennis Cup later this year. It also means players and staff at NHBL receive a free voucher book and are eligible to join the Australian Rebound Table Tennis Staff and Players Union (ARTTSPU).

Sources claim ARTTSL President Bernard Elksteine met privately with FARTT to try to persuade them to refuse selection of NHBL players in the Australian team on the basis that it was a "bastardised" form of the game, but this was apparently flatly rejected. It is apparent that FARTT unreservedly support and welcome HyperBall as a new form of Rebound Table Tennis and the efficiencies it will generate through more competition.

Currenly only once NHBL club, Goulburn, has been confirmed, however more are expected to be announced within the coming days, along with the nature and format of the NHBL season, which is expected to take place later this year.

First National Hyperball League Team Launched in Goulburn

The first side to compete in this year's National Hyperball League, Goulburn, has been launched in a surprise press conference and presentation at the Lilac City Theatre in the Southern Tablelands city.

While surprised to be hosting a team in a national competition, locals were assured Goulburn was a good choice due to its proximity to Canberra (50 minutes drive away up the Hume Highway), allowing the side to compete with ARTTSL's Canberra side for fans, while maintaining its own unique identity.

The side will compete in the upcoming National Hyperball League competition to be played later this year. No other teams have as yet been announced.

Goulburn will play home matches both indoors at the Lilac City Theatre and outdoors at the Goulburn Workers Arena, both of which are to undergo significant seating capacity upgrades. There are suggestions the side may replicate ARTTSL side Perth's transpart-backed table to allow 360-degree seating at one or both sites.