Enthusiasts of the outdoor game are looking to make Plymouth and the West Country the hub of the sport in the UK, and can be played by anyone from 5-80 year-olds. Frescobol is one of the most favourite outdoor activities in Brazil, and a great way to keep fit say local beachgoers of the game.

40-year-old Katie Furge, of Brazil Groove & Frescobol Sport for All, said: “The Brazilian sport is already a popular game in some local schools in Plymouth, and I run regular classes about the sport at Brickfields where children and adults are learning how to play the game.”

“There is no such thing as an adversary in this game, and there are no winners or losers, because the other side is a partner-and not an opponent. The games are practiced by teams of two or three participants respectively. Using a rubber ball and rackets especially designed for the sport, groups compete with each other and the best display wins. Frescobol is a sport of pure demonstration.”

Kevin Kelway, South West Media Coordinator for A4e, said: “Katie is being given help and support by our European Social Fund programme Plymouth Works Plus.   We are especially looking to help in developing community links, business plans, and cultural links with the Brazilian Embassy to foster international sporting links that could benefit both countries.”

The rules of Frescobol include; a 5 minute round, where the game is interrupted when the ball touches the ground, hits a player, or moves outside the playing area. The fewer number of turns and the greater time the ball is in the air, the higher score for the group of players. The ideal maximum score in a game is when there is one continuous sequence during playing.

Katie, added: “We have recently created a website to promote the sport in the UK and looking to make Plymouth and the South West the hub of the game. We have also made a song around the sport that is being played by local DJs in London.”

Frescobol was invented in Copacabana, Rio-de-Janeiro in 1945, has a racket game for English Officers.

Anyone looking for more information can contact: www.brazilgroove.co.uk