Dubbed as “drag racing for dogs”, flyball is swiftly gaining popularity among local families and dog lovers.
President of Greenbank-based flyball club, Game On Flyball Racing, Peter Samuels said the sport was essentially a “glorified form of fetch”.
Flyball consists of two competing teams, comprised of four dogs each, that relay race each other over a line of hurdles to a box that spring-releases a tennis ball for the dogs to catch and return to their handler.
It’s fast and it’s fun, said Mr Samuels.
“When you race, the teams are divided up into different divisions, so fast teams race other fast teams and slow teams race other slow teams – that’s why it’s suitable for all breeds of dogs,” he said.
“You’ll get the fast teams with border collies, kelpies and the speedsters, and slow teams with cocker spaniels and toy poodles, but we have both.”
“Effectively any breed of dog that can run down, fetch a ball and come back can compete.”
He said the game suited handlers of all ages because the dogs do all the running.
Game On’s handlers’ range in age from 12 all the way to 80.
“Flyball is all-inclusive because any breed of dog that can fetch a ball and any handler who can actually hold onto their dog can compete,” he said.
The club was started by Mr Samuels and his family in 2018 and now boasts close to 30 members across Greenbank, Regents Park, Logan Village, Tamborine, and beyond.
“We stood on an oval one Sunday morning and wondered if anybody would turn up,” he said.
“They did, and the club has just grown from there.”
While Game On embraces its competitive side, Mr Samuels said the club’s success was not solely measured by victories.
“We’re not in the fastest divisions because we open our teams up to all breeds of dogs,” he said.
“But everybody has a great time because it’s about spending time with your dog and people just like you.”
The club’s “greatest success” was on the national stage in 2019, where their team placed first.
“So, can we win? Yes, we can – but it’s not all about.
“As with any sport, we try hard, and we compete hard.”
But at the end of the day, he said, it is about the camaraderie people can build with their dogs and fellow handlers.
