Black British man launches 'sold-out' dodgeball event 'disrupting' the scene and breaking social barriers
The Source Exclusive: Quason Matthews, 32, from Leyton, East London, was one out of five Black people in his dodgeball league and felt the sport wasn't accessible to Black people
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The Source Exclusive: Black British man launches 'sold-out' dodgeball event 'disrupting' the scene and breaking social barriers
Quason Matthews launched The Dodge Club which is in such high demand, people say it’s like getting tickets to see Beyonce.
STORY BY ARIKE IDRIS
MAY 28, 2025
A Black British man has launched his own ‘sold-out’ UK dodgeball event after feeling the sport wasn’t accessible to Black people.
Quason Matthews, 32, from Leyton, East London, who was one of five Black people in his league says he first played dodgeball in his teens at a summer camp but fell back in love with the sport in his 20s.
After competing socially for seven years, in September 2024 he decided to create The Dodge Club following a successful concept trial with friends.
Now he says the club is “disrupting” the scene and has soared with fast-selling tickets, six sold-out monthly events, and a social community with approximately 450 members “breaking down social barriers.”
Quason said: “From my experience [playing in the league] there weren’t many Black people playing dodgeball. I was one out of five people in that league. Maybe it wasn’t accessible and presented in a way that we could be part of it.
“So, because I presented it in a way that seems cool and fun, people can see themselves playing.
“This has kind of disrupted the space a bit and you got people all over with different backgrounds in unison for this thing.
“It ticks a lot of boxes, but the most beautiful thing is it's bringing people together.”
The Dodge Club is currently held in east London and provides an experience with a live DJ, food, and commentators.
Quason says his brand has also now been recognised by British Dodgeball and will be affiliated with them in June for their upcoming event.
With guests raving about the event's high-energy atmosphere, the founder’s greatest achievement is that it has broken down social barriers as teams are randomised, which encourages people to work together.
The 32-year-old said: “A lot of us focus on our differences so much we don’t realise how much we have in common.
“I don’t know how, but this silly game has broken down so many walls for people.
“And when they leave, they are not only leaving with a good workout but new relationships, and a bit of joy in their hearts that would fuel them for the rest of the month.
“I feel privileged to create that space and gift it to people. I feel like I got this massive cake and get to share it.”
Quason who also offers winners an opportunity to battle him one-on-one says that tickets sold out within ten minutes of a release in April and another date had to be added due to high demand.
Within 24 hours, he had sold over 300 tickets for both dates he says.
He said: “We had people in the WhatsApp going ‘oh my God, these are like getting Beyonce tickets, trying to get into Wireless, what’s going on.’ So, it was just funny watching people commenting.”
The future of The Dodge Club is looking to expand as attendees have asked for more events across the UK while Quason says the event has given him a “broader purpose.”
The 32-year-old said: “I think it has given me a broader purpose now, in the sense of ‘this is it, you can’t stop this, this is bigger than you’ because of how many people it's serving. So, for me, it’s not about me anymore, it's beyond me.
“Some people would start a charity and volunteer and that’s how they help. I feel like this is my way of doing that where I’m giving the people that isn’t necessarily tangible, but they know I am giving them a bit of something. To find that in life and to enjoy it is priceless.”
For more information about The Dodge Club, click here.
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