# VX (sport)

VX, originally Rock-It-Ball, is a ball sport from the UK. It evolved in North Yorkshire (Great Britain) and was launched in February 2006 at the Youth Sport Trust's Sports Colleges Conference. The sport was continually developed by the International Federation and in 2012 the Federation approved a move by the worldwide membership to rename the sport VX to cater for its international development.
VX has continued to be popular in schools in the UK and is now being adopted by universities, colleges, youth organisations, Street Games and the military. It is also attracting interest from the Prison Service and Primary Care Trusts. It now has a foothold in 25 countries of which 15 have National Governing Bodies(NGBs).
VX is a gender-neutral sport. Males and females play on a totally equal footing in all disciplines and at all levels. It is also accessible to players of all abilities. It is not an adaptation of any single sport however there are elements of several sports including dodgeball, lacrosse, basque pelota and hockey.

## History

The sport, originally known as Rock-It-Ball, is a ball sport which originated from the British Isles. It evolved in North Yorkshire (Great Britain) and was officially launched at the Youth Sport Trust's Sports Colleges Conference in February 2006.
Rock-It-Ball spread through schools in the UK. It featured on four of the Youth Sport Trust's programmes, began to be played regularly in 17 countries, and saw the establishment of an international federation and eleven national governing bodies
Over time the international administrative body had taken the original game and further developed and extended it, setting up a full sports infrastructure. In 2012, in order to cater for the international growth, the sport was rebranded by the international community to VX. All the clubs and NGBs followed suit and now all leagues, tournaments and international competitions are under the VX banner.
In August 2017 VX gained international recognition as a sport at the General Assembly of the Sport Recognised Association.

## Rules

VX is played by two teams of five players. The court is roughly the size of a sports hall with four badminton courts. In the US, basketball courts are used. Each player uses a VstiX. This is made up of a control bar and a thrower/catcher at each end. Players are not restricted to a certain area but can go anywhere on court. They must dribble by rock-ing the ball between the two ends, or by using one end of the VstiX to bounce the ball on the floor. Five balls are in play. One point is scored by hitting an opponent with the ball between the shoulders and the feet. Three points are scored by catching an opponent's thrown ball. When a player is hit (s)he must stand still, raise a hand and look to the referee. The referee records the point and tells the player to play on. The referee is assisted by two umpires positioned on the opposite side of the court. The role of the umpires is simply to look for infringements. All infringements incur a three-point penalty. Violence results in ejection from the game and disciplinary action. Examples of infringements are:
* A player fails to acknowledge a strike.
* Fishing (this refers to picking up a ball while waiting to play on after being hit)
* Travelling, i.e. not dribbling. A player can take two steps and then must dribble.
* Striking. A player is not allowed to strike either the ball or another player with the VstiX.
* Illegal bodily contact - for example deliberately barging into an opponent.
* Knocking the ball out of an opponent's VstiX.
* Swearing
Formal matches consists of four quarters each of which lasts four minutes.

## Versions

As part of the development of VX, the International Federation introduced Singles (V2), a 1v1v1 (V3) version and Doubles (V4)
* V2 is played by two players on a squash court with three balls. This version is possibly the most intense of the official versions. A game lasts for two halves of four minutes each.
* V3 is also a singles version played on a squash court, however it is played by three players using four balls. V3 is played on the basis of ‘every man for himself.’ The winner is the player who concedes the fewest points. A game lasts for two halves of four minutes each.
* V4 is also played on a squash court and is played 2v2 with four balls. A game lasts for two halves of four minutes each.
The new versions were created by the International Federation to develop the sport and provide individuals with an opportunity to set up clubs more easily.

### Current v2 World Rankings (senior)

* Tom Hildreth (England)
* Chan Ka Lok (Hong Kong)
* Paul Hildreth (England)
* Mukaga John Brian (Uganda)
* Law Kai Jun (Hong Kong)
* Lam Pak Yin (Hong Kong)
* Ma Tsz Hin (Hong Kong)
* Ng Chi Hung (Hong Kong)
* Kwok Tik Hei(Hong Kong)
* Law Wing Kan (Hong Kong)
* Lai Ka Wan (Hong Kong)
* Chan Hiu Tung (Hong Kong)
* Tang Chi Ching (Hong Kong)
* Cheung Hin Ching (Hong Kong)
* Mui Mei Lai (Hong Kong)
* Lai Ka Tung (Hong Kong)
* Tse Ho Kan (Hong Kong)
* Wong Fai Yeung (Hong Kong)
* Cheung Lok Yui (Hong Kong)

## Federation

The International Federation was established in December 2006 but changed its name to Global VX when the sport was rebranded in 2012. Global VX administers the sport on a global basis, assists with the establishment and running of NGBs and organises international competition. Global VX also runs the annual rules committee which takes place every January.
Global VX also has an awards programme. The annual 'Executive' Awards recognise the work of volunteers in the sport. 'The Person of the Year' Award is awarded to an outstanding volunteer who has done exceptional work to promote and develop the sport. The 'Person of the Year' and the Executive Awards are announced annually on Dec 31st
2010: Person of the Year: Conrad Broughton (England)
2011: Person of the Year: Matti Chasan Bergstein (Denmark)
2012: The first Person of the Year since the sport was rebranded: VX Uganda. Unusually, the award did not go to one individual but was presented to VX Uganda as a body to recognise the work and effort that had been made by several people to grow the sport in Africa
2013: Person of the Year: Eric Clark (Ripon Lions) & John Sheepy (Boroughbridge Lions)
2014: Person of the Year: Tony Notarianni (USA) 2015: Person of the Year: Dr Suman Shankar Tiwari (India)
2016: Person of the Year: Matty Horsfield (England)
2017: Person of the Year: Alessandro Foglino (Italy)
2018: Person of the Year: Dr Suman Shankar Tiwari (India)
2019: Person of the Year: Osman Wong (Hong Kong)
2020: Person of the Year: No awards made due to Covid
2021: Person of the Year: Carl Alsop (England)
2022: Person of the Year: Dan Shuker (England)
2024: Person of the Year: Steph Kennedy (Outwood Academy, KIrkby, England)

## Hall of Fame

Any member affiliated to Global VX (e.g. player, coach, administrator) can nominate any other affiliated member who they consider to have made an outstanding contribution to the sport. Any nominee with three nominations passes to the next stage for voting by the committee. The Hall of Fame Awards generally takes place every two years. In 2010 the voting committee felt unable to differentiate between the 3 nominees who reached the voting stage and so, as an exception, voted to induct all three. In 2008 the founders of the original sport (Paul Hildreth, Tom Hildreth, Craig Buttery) were honoured by inducting them into the newly established Hall of Fame.
* 2008: Tom Hildreth, Craig Buttery, Paul Hildreth
* 2010: Carl Alsop, Graeme Wood, Ian Crosby
* 2015: Helen Mackenzie

## Legends

The 'Legends' Award and Gallery is reserved for players who have reached an outstanding level of achievement. This award was instigated in 2012 as a direct result of the achievements of Scotland's Scott MacMichael and is not intended to be an annual honour.
* 2012: Scott MacMichael (Scotland)
* 2013: Tom Hildreth (England)
* 2018: Scott Snowdon (England)
* 2022: Carl Alsop (England)

## External awards

As the sport has grown its impact has started to be recognised by external bodies:
* 2009: Global VX (in its previous incarnation) was the only organisation to be nominated in three categories at the Cleveland Fire Service Safer Community Awards
* 2011: Dan Raper shortlisted in the Ripon Rotary Youth Volunteer Awards
* 2011: Paul Hildreth runner-up in the Sports Category of the Minster FM Local Hero Awards
* 2012: Tom Hildreth and Helen Mackenzie Olympic Torchbearers
* 2012: Tom Hildreth shortlisted for the Ackrill Media Volunteer Oscars
* 2013: Easi-RockIts HellCats win Minster FM Team of the Year in the Minster FM Local Hero Awards
* 2013: Tom Hildreth shortlisted for the Ackrill Media Volunteer Oscars
* 2013: Tom Hildreth runner-up as Player of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2013: Paul Hildreth runner-up as Coach of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2013: Easi-RockIts runners-up as Club of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2014: Jack Brown runner-up as Student Sportsperson of the Year in the Active York Awards
* 2014: Carl Alsop finalist as Sportsperson of the Year in the York Community Pride Awards
* 2014: Tom Hildreth finalist as Sportsperson of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2014: Paul Hildreth finalist as Coach of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2014: Karen Bruin finalist as Coach of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2014: Hannah Smith runner-up as Junior Sportswoman of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2014: Tom Hildreth 'Highly Commended' Award at the Harrogate Volunteering Oscars, Unsung Hero category
* 2014: Tom Hildreth 'Highly Commended' Award at the Harrogate Volunteering Oscars, Sports Volunteer category
* 2015: Jack Brown shortlisted as Sportsman of the Year in the Active York Sports Awards
* 2015: Charlie Ford shortlisted as Student Sportsperson of the Year in the Active York Sports Awards
* 2015: Jack Brown runner-up as Sportsman of the Year in the York University Student Union Sports Awards
* 2016: Scott Snowdon shortlisted as Sportsman of the Year in the Active York Sports Awards
* 2016: Tom Hildreth 'Highly Commended' Award at the Harrogate Volunteering Oscars, Sports Volunteer category
* 2016: Matty Horsfield finalist as Coach of the Year in the Hambleton District Council Sports Awards
* 2017: Matty Carr, runner-up in the Sports Officials UK Awards
* 2017: Hambleton District Council Sports Awards. 5 Finalists - Tom Hildreth as Sportsperson of the Year; Matty Horsfield as Coach of the Year; Karen Bruin as Volunteer of the Year; Matthew Leyshon and Becca Fram as Young Sportsperson of the Year
* 2018: Hoops Heroes. Paul Hildreth named as the third 'Hoops Hero' by Hoops Connect.
* 2019: Orfi Heroes. Paul Hildreth named as the first 'Orfi Hero' by Orfi Active.
* 2021: VX International 'Sports Organisation of the Year' in the Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2021/2022
* 2022: VX International 'Sports Organisation of the Year' in the Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2022/2023

## Ambassadors and patrons

The role of Official VX Ambassador was originally taken by Olympic Diver Jack Laugher.
The latest Global VX Ambassador is Natalie Chan from Hong Kong.
VX's first patron is trail blade runner Phil Sheridan.
The patron of VX Kenya is Mr Cosmas Nabungolo
The patron of VX Uganda is Mr Isaac Ssekamwa

## UK clubs

* York VX Club: Teams - Phoenix, Raiders
* Easi-Rock-Its VX Club: Teams - Hellcats, HellFighters, HellDivers
* Scunthorpe VX Club - Jaguars
* Northallerton VX Club: Team - Vipers
* Ripon VX Club: Teams - Vanquish, VorteX
* Kirkbymoorside Bullz
* Helperby VX Club
* Stillington VX Club
* Worcester & West Midlands

## Denmark Clubs

* VX Naestved

## Uganda Clubs

* Canaanites, Lugazi

## Centres of Excellence and academies

Centres of Excellence and coaching academies are being established.
* English Regional Centre of vXcellence: Outwood College Kirkby, Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
* Ugandan National Centre of Excellence is to be the Lugazi Community High School
* Kenyan National Centre of Excellence is to be the St. Peter's Boys' School, Mumias

## Statistics

* 2005 Inaugural Championships: Team Chaos, Northallerton College
* 2007 World Cup: Scotland. Runners-up: England. Third: Pakistan
* 2007 Carnegie British Open: Loughborough University
* 2008 English National League, National Champions: Easi-RockIts HellCats
* 2008 Tees Valley Pairs Tournament: Callum Watt/Chris Durrant
* 2008 Youth World Cup: England
* 2009 v3 English Open: Emily Wilson (Tees Valley)
* 2009 Central and East Yorks ATC championship: 2487 (Easingwold) Typhoons
* 2009 English National League, National Champions: Easi-RockIts HellCats
* 2009 National Junior Pairs: Ben Pulleyn/Callum Forsyth (York)
* 2009 v3 European Open: Adam Rawcliffe (Easi-RockIts)
* 2010 v3 English Open: Carl Alsop (Raptors)
* 2010 English National League, National Champions: Raptors.
* 2010 English National League, National Finals Player of the Tournament: Marcus Exelby (HellCats).
* 2010 v2 World Champion: Carl Alsop.
* 2011 v2 Youth World Champion: Dan Raper.
* 2011 Scottish National League, National Champions: Falkirk Cannons.
* 2011 English National, National Champions: Raptors. Runners-up: Easi-RockIts HellCats
* 2011 English National League, National Finals Player of the Tournament: Callum Watt (HellCats).
* 2011 v2 World Champion: Scott MacMichael (Scotland).
* 2011 World Cup: Scotland. Runners-up: England, 3rd: Denmark. Fair Play Award: Denmark
* 2011 World Cup, Player of the Tournament: Matti Chasan Bergstein (Denmark).
* 2011 UK Club Champions: Falkirk Cannons.
2012 The Sport Becomes VX
* 2012 English Open Knockout: Easi-RockIts HellCats
* 2012 English National VX League, National Champions: Easi-RockIts HellCats. Runners-up: Ripon
* 2012 v2 World Champion: Tom Hildreth (England). Runner-up: Scott MacMichael (Scotland)
* 2012 v2 Youth World Champion: Meghan Plummer(Scotland). Runner-up: Aaron Perry (England).
* 2012 v2 African Nations Champion: Melingha Timothy (Uganda). Runner up: Didus Businge (Uganda)
* 2012 UK Club Champions: HellCats. Runners-Up: Ripon; 3rd Place: Scunthorpe
* 2013 English Open Knockout: York Phoenix
* 2013 English National VX League, National Champions: Scunthorpe Hawks
* 2013 V2 World Champion: Tom Hildreth (England). Runner-up: Scott Snowdon (England)
* 2013 V2 Youth World Champion: Tom Brown (England); Runner-up: Liam Leckenby (England)
* 2013 V2 African Nations Champion: Melingha Timothy (Uganda); Runner-up: Derek Wesana.
* 2013 UK Club Champions: York Phoenix; Runners-up: Scunthorpe Hawks
* 2014 English University V2 Champion: Jack Brown (University of York); Runner-Up: Ellery Lovett (University of Sheffield)
* 2014 English Open Knockout: York Phoenix
* 2014 English National VX League, National Champions: York Phoenix
* 2014 V2 World Champion: Jack Brown (England). Runner-Up: Carl Alsop (England)
* 2014 V2 Youth World Champion: Tom Brown (England). Runner-Up: Charlie Ford (England)
* 2014 V2 Masters World Champion: Paul Hildreth (England); Runner-up: Conrad Broughton (England)
* 2014 UK Club Champions: York Phoenix; Runners-up: Ripon Vanquish
* 2015 V2 National Champion (England): Jack Brown
* 2015 V2 Youth National Champion (England): Tom Brown
* 2015 V2 Junior National Champion (England): Hannah Smith
* 2015 English Open Knockout: York
* 2015 National Champions: Scunthorpe Hawks
* 2015 VX World Champions: England; Runners-up: India
* 2015 V2 World Champion: Scott Snowdon (England); Runner-up: Carl Alsop (England)
* 2015 V2 Youth World Champion: Tom Brown (England); Runner-up: Will Charters-Reid (England)
* 2015 V2 Masters World Champion: Paul Hildreth (England); Runner-up: Conrad Broughton (England)
* 2015 V2 Executive Cup Champion: Sahil Tiwari (India); Runner-up: Vijay Gupta (India)
* 2015 UK Club Champions: HellCats; Runners-Up: Scunthorpe Hawks
* 2016 Inaugural 365 Invitational Challenge Cup: winner Scott Snowdon; Runner-up Tom Hildreth. Cornerstones Award: Matty Horsfield
* 2016 V2 National Champion (England): Scott Snowdon
* 2016 V2 Youth National Champion (England): Matthew Leyshon
* 2016 V2 Junior National Champion (England): Oliver Stocks
* 2016 V2 Masters National Champion (England): Paul Hildreth
* 2016 English University V2 Champion: James Foster (University of Nottingham); Runner-Up: Aaron Perry (University of Nottingham)
* 2016 English Open Knockout: York
* 2016 First Test Match Series held: India and England. Winners England
* 2016 National Champions: York Phoenix. Player of the Tournament: Leah Drake (Ripon); Cornerstones Award: Tom Hildreth (Ripon)
* 2016 V2 World Champion: Scott Snowdon (England); Runner-up: Tom Hildreth (England)
* 2016 V2 Youth World Champion: Kane Duncan (England); Runner-up: Jess Porter (England) (Jess also winner of the Cornerstones Award)
* 2016 V2 Masters World Champion: Paul Hildreth (England); Runner-up: Andrew Foster (England)
* 2016 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy: Tom Burgess (England); Runner-up: Dan Shuker (England)
* 2016 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Youth: Ethan Eldridge (England); Runner-up: Jhapin Shahi (England)
* 2016 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Masters: Sewa Singh (India); Runner-up: Gurmukh Singh (India)
* 2016 European Champions: England. Runners-Up: Italy. Player of the Tournament: Diego Venturini (Italy); Cornerstones Award: Martel Martinez (Basque Country)
* 2016 V2 European Champion: Tom Hildreth (England). Runner-up: Scott Snowdon: England
* 2016 UK Club Champions: York Phoenix; Runners-Up: Ripon Vanquish. Player of the Tournament: Charlie Ford (Phoenix); Cornerstones Award: Paul Hildreth (HellFighters)
* 2017 V2 National Champion (England): Scott Snowdon. Runner-up Tom Hildreth. Cornerstones Award: Carl Alsop
* 2017 V2 Youth National Champion (England): Matthew Leyshon. Runner-up Jess Porter
* 2017 V2 Junior National Champion (England): Henry Pittham. Runner-up Oliver Stocks Cornerstones Award: Ewan Gilmore
* 2017 V2 Masters National Champion (England): Paul Hildreth. Runner-up Leigh Branton
* 2017 365 Invitational Challenge Cup: Winner Scott Snowdon. Runner-up Tom Hildreth. Cornerstones Award: Tom Hildreth
* 2017 English Open Knockout: York
* 2017 National Champions: York Phoenix. Player of the Tournament: Matty Horsfield (Northallerton); Cornerstones Award: Dave Snowdon (Northallerton)
* 2017 V2 World Champion: Scott Snowdon (England); Runner-up: Tom Hildreth (England)
* 2017 V2 Youth World Champion: Matthew Leyshon (England); Runner-up: Jess Porter (England) (Jess also winner of the Cornerstones Award)
* 2017 V2 Masters World Champion: Paul Hildreth (England); Runner-up: Leigh Branton(England)
* 2017 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy: Neil Young (England); Runner-up: Marco Marinetti (Italy)
* 2017 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Youth: Chris Town (England); Runner-up: Cain Branton (England)
* 2017 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Masters: Jill Stocks (England); Runner-up: Stefan Fischer (Switzerland)
* 2017 UK Club Champions: Ripon Vanquish
* 2017 Tri-Services V2 Championship: Lt Dan Raper RN; Runner-up SAC Philippa Fowles RAF; 3rd Cpl Darragh J T, AGC (RMP) Army
* 2018 V2 National Champion (England): Scott Snowdon. Runner-up Charlie Ford. Cornerstones Award: Chris Town
* 2018 V2 Youth National Champion (England): Joe Willis. Runner-up Andrew Davidson
* 2018 V2 Junior National Champion (England): Henry Pittham. Runner-up Matthew Ayre Cornerstones Award: Jamie Pritchard
* 2018 V2 Masters National Champion (England): Paul Hildreth. Runner-up Karen Bruin
* 2018 365 Invitational Challenge Cup: Winner Tom Hildreth. Runner-up Carl Alsop . Cornerstones Award: Chris Town
* 2018 English Open Knockout: York Phoenix
* 2018 English Junior Knockout: Ripon
* 2018 V2 World Champion: Tom Hildreth (England); Runner-up: Dan Raper (England)
* 2018 V2 Youth World Champion: Oliver Stocks (England); Runner-up: Parminder Singh (India)
* 2018 V2 Masters World Champion: Paul Hildreth (England); Runner-up: Sewa Singh (India) (Paul Hildreth then announces retirement from competitive V2)
* 2018 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy: Kunal Sharma (India); Runner-up: Adarsh Bhadoria (UAE)
* 2018 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Youth: Gurjot Kaur (India); Runner-up: Aryan (India)
* 2018 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Masters: Neelam Rani (India); Runner-up: Manjeet Singh (India)
* 2018 National Champions: York Phoenix. Player of the Tournament: Will Charters-Reid (York); Cornerstones Award: Patrick Cavanagh (Easi-RockIts)
* 2018 UK Club Champions: York Phoenix.
* 2019 V2 National Champion (England): Scott Snowdon. Runner-up Carl Alsop. Cornerstones Award: Matty Horsfield & Jill Stocks
* 2019 V2 Youth National Champion (England): Oliver Stocks. Runner-up Jak Foster
* 2019 V2 Junior National Champion (England): Jonathon Ward. Runner-up Toby Helfferich Cornerstones Award: Jamie Pritchard
* 2019 V2 Masters National Champion (England): Andrew Foster. Runner-up Leigh Branton
* 2019 National Champions: York Phoenix.
* 2019 UK Club Champions: York Phoenix.
* 2019 365 Invitational Challenge Cup: Winner Scott Snowdon. Runner-up Carl Alsop . Cornerstones Award: Carl Alsop
* 2019 VX World Champions: England
* 2019 VX Youth World Champions: England
* 2019 V2 World Champion: Scott Snowdon. Runner-up: Tom Hildreth
* 2019 V2 Youth World Champion: Becca Fram. Runner-up: Andrew Davidson
* 2019 V2 Masters World Champion: Leigh Branton. Runner-up: Karen Bruin
* 2019 V2 World Championships Cornerstones Award: Jhapin Shahi
* 2019 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy: Tom Burgess. Runner-up: Jess Porter
* 2019 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Youth: Henry Pittham. Runner-up: Patrick Cavanagh
* 2019 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy, Masters: Sewa Singh. Runner-up: Karen Evans
* 2020 & 2021 National Champions: Event cancelled due to Coronavirus Pandemic
* 2020 & 2021 UK Club Champions: Event cancelled due to Coronavirus Pandemic
* 2020 & 2021 English Open Knockout: Event cancelled due to Coronavirus Pandemic
* 2020 & 2021 English Junior Knockout: Event cancelled due to Coronavirus Pandemic
* 2020, 2021 & 2022 V2 World Championships cancelled due to Coronavirus Pandemic
* 2020 & 2021 European Championships cancelled due to Coronavirus Pandemic
* 2023 V2 World Champion: Tom Hildreth. Runner-up: Ka Lok
* 2023 V2 Craig Buttery Trophy: Kwok Tik Hei. Runner-up: Law Wing Kan
* 2023 V2 World Championships Cornerstones Award: Tom Hildreth