Although the roots of Tambourelli go back to Libya in the 1950s, the current game was developed at Castle Stewart in Galloway, Scotland in the 1970s.

Tambourelli is played on a court measuring 9.45m x 4.1m, with a 1.75m high net in singles or doubles matches.  Play is preceded by a bow.  Service is from the back line, with two possible serves for each point (in case the first service fails).  Scoring is a cross between tennis and ping-pong:  each player serves for five points, after which service goes to the opposite side for the next five points.  The first player – or players in doubles – to reach 21 by two clear points wins the game (20 – 20 or deuce necessitates a change of service, followed by an ‘advantage’ point).  Matches are usually won by the first side to win 2 games.

Tambourelli is most developed in Galloway (under the aegis of Scottish Tambourelli –It is also played regularly in Devon and London, as well as in Dresden, Germany and Coromandel, New Zealand.  It is a highly adaptable game and has been played in ballrooms and barns, as well as the backstreets of Tokyo! (see:  www.tamjapan.org).  World Championships are held each year, in Scotland and most recently in Devon, England.  Tournaments have also been held in Japan, Australia, Germany and New Zealand.

Tambourelli is simple in conception, but combines a powerful mix of qualities that catalyze participants’ involvement and free expression.