MEDIA RELEASE FOR DODGEBALL FEDERATION AUSTRALIA
Dodgeball Federation Australia (DFA) is proud to announce it has received official recognition as a National Sporting Organisation by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
The DFA was established in 2014 and is an affiliate of the World Dodgeball Association (WDA). WDA is the official world governing body for dodgeball, working as a not for profit social enterprise across six continents in partnership with over 60 national federations delivering to over 70 million people worldwide.
DFA’s primary strategic objective is to grow participation of the sport nationally. Recognition by the ASC is a critical milestone for the DFA and the sport globally to achieve this objective. Over the years, we have seen dodgeball develop across our communities, nationally and on the international stage with our national teams, the Chemist Warehouse Australian Dodgeroos.
Recognition by the ASC will provide the impetuous to take that next step in the sport’s development across Australia and globally. Working with the ASC, we have plans to develop further pathways for the sport and its growth with a focus on grass-roots and school participation, affiliate groups and high performance development.
‘The ASC is delighted to welcome Dodgeball Federation Australia as a recognised national sporting organisation. We wish everybody involved the very best as they continue to grow the sport’ comments Andrew Larratt, General Manager, Sport Business and Strategic Partnerships, Australian Sports Commission.
DFA President, Robert Di Fabio is thrilled to have dodgeball recognised by the ASC.
‘Recognition from the Australian Sports Commission is pivotal to dodgeball’s continual growth and development across Australia. Dodgeball Federation Australia has been working towards achieving this goal, with the aim at promoting the sport to a wider audience, including but not limited to juniors in our school system, recreational activity and competitions and high performance athletes’. 
Recognition from the ASC will provide greater credibility for dodgeball on a national platform. DFA aims to take the sport to a new level of professionalism in growing awareness, participation in regional and metropolitan areas in Australia across all age groups. A strategic priority for DFA is to promote inclusion and importantly, aid our athletes in performance on the domestic and international stage with the Australian Dodgeroos.
World Dodgeball Association President, Tom Hickson is fully supportive of the DFA’s ambition, and welcomes the support of the ASC.
‘The World Dodgeball Association is fully supportive of Dodgeball Federation Australia and its relationship with the Australian Sports Commission. The WDA successfully achieved GAISF Observer Status in 2017.
This was a momentous achievement for the sport and the people that represent dodgeball across the world. Reaching this milestone enables support for greater growth of participation across our National Federations. Our blueprint as a world governing body is to support our national governing bodies, so they too can adhere to our plans and vision for the sport’s growth and progression. Recognition from the ASC is a significant milestone for the DFA and WDA.’
Christopher White, General Secretary of Asian Dodgeball Federation is in full support of ASC recognition.
‘The Asian Dodgeball Federation is extremely proud of Dodgeball Federation Australia’s efforts to gain recognition from the Australian Sports Commission. With this step forward Australia are providing the perfect example for other Asia-Pacific nations to follow.’
ASC recognition is timely, with the launch of the 2018 Chemist Warehouse Australian Dodgeroos Squad who will be representing Australia in the Dodgeball World Cup, Madison Square Garden, New York on 3 – 4 August 2018. The Women’s Dodgeroos will be defending their title as world champions and men’s and mixed teams have also qualified to compete at the Dodgeball World Cup in New York. Fourteen nations have qualified for the 2018 Dodgeball World Cup across four continental regions, from a pool of over 60 WDA affiliate national federations.
The DFA would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support, founding partner Chemist Warehouse and all of the volunteers, coaches, team managers, players and supporters who have contributed to DFA reaching this milestone.
To further discuss this media release or to become an affiliate, contact DFA President Robert Di Fabio at info@dodgeballfederationaustralia.com.au or +61 431 052 148.