In 1987, while playing JB with friends behind the service station where he worked, Gilles Paniez was inspired to transform his favourite pastime into a recognized sport. His 1990 meeting with partner Pierfrancesco Iazeolla was the structural turning point for JB.
   They received full patent protection for their innovation and, with few years of sound marketing, JB became a network of over 100 clubs in four European countries. JB soon started to attract media interest, and various sports professionals tried JB out for themselves and liked it. The World Soccer Organization Committees in Italy and France invited JB to participate as an exhibition sport, and JB is now featured on many TV shows and covered by the world press.
   Initially, JB Clubs were established in existing gyms and fitness facilities to complement more popular activities. Due to the increased demand for moderately competitive, male fitness activities, JB Stand-Alone Clubs were recently created and exclusively dedicated to two-on-two soccer.

Why Jorkyball®?

   In modern societies to play and /or to follow a sport has become one of the principle instruments of collective identification and is to many an important source of identity. In the future this phenomenon is expected to increase.
   Even though traditional sports will probably always have the lion’s share of devotees, we believe there is a progressive and significant trend towards innovation. In view of this JB has all the characteristics of a sport/game which may "explode" and become one of those collective manias we call fashion.
   The success of a sport depends on its ability to create fun, tension, sensation, sociability, competition and antagonism. Those who "tried" Jorkyball® have no doubt that it has all this ingredients"

G. Paniez
President of FIJA