APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Wisconsin Foosball tournament has returned to Appleton for the fifth time. Players of all ages are competing for prizes totaling over $11,000.
Foosball might just look like a fun bar game. But for some, it means much more.
“I put in a lot of hours because I’m really dedicating a lot because it’s part of my income actually — like the prize money,” foosball player Kenneth Dale said. “So, I have to win.”
Dale is the 42nd-ranked player in the world by the International Table Soccer Federation. He’s from Peru but plays all over the world.
“I travel to so many tournaments that I spend a lot of time in the states because I’m pretty much very dedicated.”
On Thursday, he found himself in Appleton, facing off against some of Wisconsin’s best.
“It’s very analytical,” tournament organizer Brett Nooyen said. “We like to treat it like chess meets video games — hand-eye coordination, all that. So, a lot’s been put into it.”
Nooyen said foosball is a bigger deal than most people realize. Newcomers, though, are always welcome.
The growth of the annual Wisconsin tournament is largely attributed to the increase in rookie and beginner level players.
“Our numbers have been growing by 20 to 30 players every year,” Nooyen said. “Last year, we had 220. We’re hoping to maybe hit 250 this year.”
There are elements of foosball besides just the prizes and competition that have people coming back year after year.
“It’s not just a game if you really get into it,” Dale said. “You’ll see that there are so many levels of strategy, execution, even teamwork when you play doubles. For anybody who wants to learn something new and keep learning, it just never stops. I never stop learning.”
“Everyone here knows one another,” Nooyen said. “Second generation, third generation — it’s just a family. You can kind of travel the world really, and you might not meet this people any other place except for on these tournaments. It’s kind of like every month can be a high school reunion.”
Those who place in the Wisconsin tournament will have points added to their yearly running total.
The tournament runs through Sunday. Anyone is welcome to go and watch at The Mad Apple in Appleton.
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