artsalem

Court soccer, a mix of soccer and racquetball, is coming to Salem.

BY REID ENGLISH

Statesman Journal

A new sport hits Salem this weekend that combines the skills of soccer and racquetball.

International Court Soccer, started by a former Portland resident, is a sport that requires the leg skills of a soccer player and the quickness and court presence of a racquetball player.

"It gives you a great leg and cardiovascular workout," said Donny Zavala, assistant manager at Lancaster Courthouse Athletic Club. "And it helps build your skills for soccer."

Zavala and some club members have been playing court soccer in the past 18 months since learning about it at clinics with John Birks, who introduced the sport. Birks, who now lives in Seattle, is a big influence for having the North American Championship in Salem.

Zavala, the club champion, anticipates 40-50 participants in the event Saturday and Sunday at th! e Lancaster Courthouse.

"We'll have players from Portland, Eugene, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.," Zavala said. "We've had a huge response. It's neat to have it here."

Zavala, 25, doesn't have a soccer background like many court soccer players do. He played football for McKay High School in the mid 1990s. He said he is an example how the sport is bringing out a new dimension of players.

"I had never juggled a ball before," he said. "It's a lot of fun and it's a healthy sport. We're seeing that racquetball is not as strong as it once was. This allows for those with soccer abilities to participate."

Zavala, who started two club soccer leagues last fall, said there are many women and minorities among the participants. Karey Jansen, a soccer player at Oregon State from 1993-96, began playing racquetball in 2000. Now, she is hooked on court soccer.

"I had heard Donny talking about it," she said. "I tried it and loved it. It's fun to play. I can k! ick the ball around and don't need 11 other people to play with. And i t keeps my soccer skills fresh."

Jansen said the sport is more similar to racquetball because of the venue, similar to a racquetball court.

"It's important to have good position on the court and see how the ball reacts off the walls," she said. "You want to get a good touch on the ball."

Andres Silva said he tries to keep the ball away from his opponent.

"I try to volley the ball up or get it in the corners," he said. "It's exciting to volley back and forth."

Paul Sedoruk, 58, said he tries to make his opponent vulnerable.

"It's a sport where you can be aggressive and competitive without hurting yourself or your opponent," he said.

Silva often scored against Sedoruk by controlling the ball from the back with his body before making a strong kick. Receiving players can hit the ball three times with any part of the body except hands or arms.

Sedoruk scored with low volleys or corner shots that were difficult to defend.
Reid English can be reached at (503) 399-6702 or renglish@ StatesmanJournal.com