Downball Australia started out as Noah’s year-9 project.
But when Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns forced schools into home learning, his plans were scrapped — and you couldn’t exactly play downball via video call.
“I feel the pandemic really hurt a lot of people, especially [those] who love getting physical, getting outside and into community sport,” Noah says.
More recently, Noah started up Downball Australia again, running incursions for local schools and even a big tournament in his community.
“I love it. I play recess and lunch,” he says.
“It’s competitive, it’s social and fun. I just love the atmosphere about it … the kids [go] nuts.”
What is downball?
Downball, also known as handball or four-square, has been a staple of Aussie school lunch breaks for decades.
“I started playing when I was in primary school out in Sunbury [in Melbourne],” Noah’s Dad Andrew says.
“When I saw my kids…
