Kiwi chances his arm at dodgeball glory

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VICTOR: Scott Wilkin in dodgeball action at the Wellington Sevens, where he was handpicked for the Black Keas.

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Scott Wilkin could be New Zealand's top dodgeballer and is off to Las Vegas to test his skills against the world's best.

"I'm buzzing on it. I can't wait to go," he said.

He was headhunted after playing dodgeball at this year's NZI Sevens tournament in Wellington.

Dodgeball, far from a mainstream sport in New Zealand, enjoys widespread popularity in the United States.

Mr Wilkin's six teammates in the Black Keas will be selected during the Speight's Summit National Dodgeball Series which will tour from Auckland to Dunedin, stopping in six locations.

The team will fly to Las Vegas in August to compete in the seventh annual Dodgeball World Championships.

On his chances of winning the Las Vegas tournament, Mr Wilkin said: "To be honest, I wouldn't know. I don't know what we are up against."

His passion for the sport began at the 2008 Sevens in Wellington, where a dodgeball court was set up. "It's heaps of fun. It's just wicked when you get out there and start playing." He said the sport was similar to that played in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, a comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller.

The Summit National Dodgeball Series will be held at Chicago Sports Cafe at Queens Wharf on March 28.

If he can make his mark, Mr Wilkin hopes to be asked to join the US professional dodgeball circuit.

WHAT IS DODGEBALL?

Two teams of four line up on either side of the dodgeball court and throw balls at each other.

Each player starts with a ball, meaning there are eight balls on the court.

If a player is hit by a ball and does not catch it they become "out" and wait off court.

However, if a member of their team manages to catch a ball, a player off court can resume playing and the opposing team member who threw the ball has to leave the court.

Players holding a ball can use it to deflect other balls.

The game ends when all the players on one team are eliminated.

- © Fairfax NZ News