Competitors from Wymondham represented the United Kingdom in the first European Shuffleboard Championship held in Germany.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Nine Wymondham Shufflers represented the UK in the first European Shuffleboard Championship, held in Germany. Picture: SOUTH NORFOLK COUNCILNine Wymondham Shufflers represented the UK in the first European Shuffleboard Championship, held in Germany. Picture: SOUTH NORFOLK COUNCIL (Image: South Norfolk Council.)

The sport is similar in tactics to bowls and curling.

It is proving popular in Wymondham since South Norfolk Council helped the club get off the ground with a £3,700 grant.

The shuffleboard team founders used the windfall to buy new equipment, including four roll-out rubber courts and cue sticks, as well as promote their sport to attract new members.

The Wymondham Shufflers took part in the contest between March 3 and 4.

After two days of hard-fought competition, Wymondham Shuffler Trevor Seaman took 11th place and Martin Wanger came 12th out of 24, while Catherine Seaman took 11th place for the ladies' team, again out of 24 competitors.

Mr Wanger, who is club secretary, said: 'Owning our own equipment has helped us enormously in getting where we are and our level of skill has greatly increased.

'The game is great fun and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

'Everyone plays on an equal basis as long as they can push the cue, which is like a broom. It's very easy to pick up the basic skills but it also presents a challenge for those with a competitive edge.

'Competing in Germany was a fantastic experience and a great result for us, considering we've only been playing since 2014 and our German competitors have been playing for over 15 years.'

South Norfolk councillor Clayton Hudson, cabinet member for stronger communities and leisure said: 'It's fantastic to see the club doing so well. Keeping our residents active and healthy is one of our key priorities and it's great to be able to support a club that is embracing something different.'

If you know of any community groups that may benefit from funding, please visit www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/community-grants

The Wymondham Shufflers meet every other Friday afternoon at Central Hall, Wymondham.

Everybody is welcome. For further information, call Mr Wanger on 07884 963733.

Are you organising a community activity in South Norfolk? Contact Andrew Papworth, editor for South and West Norfolk, at andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk