For many years, Lionel Beyer has been a familiar face on the international Teqball circuit, proudly representing France at some of the sport’s biggest events. While his achievements on the court have earned him recognition among the world’s top players, his focus today extends far beyond his own competitive ambitions.

In 2021, Lionel founded his own Teqball academy in Mulhouse, France with a clear objective: to develop the next generation of French Teqball talent. Through patience, dedication, and a long-term vision, he is helping young athletes build not only the technical skills required to succeed but also the mindset and values needed to thrive both on and off the table.

In this interview, Lionel reflects on his journey in Teqball, the challenges of youth development, his dream of one day competing alongside his son, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind for French Teqball.

 

 
For those who may not know you yet, could you introduce yourself and tell us how your journey with Teqball began?

My name is Lionel Beyer (FRA), I am 42 years old, and I represent France on the international Teqball circuit since 2020.

I played football at a high level, and at the age of 35, I decided to end my career. It was during a conversation with a friend that I first heard about Teqball. I was fortunate enough to have a club created just a few kilometers from where I live. I decided to give it a try, and since then, I have never been able to stop.

 

You have been part of the international Teqball scene for many years. Looking back, what are the biggest changes you have witnessed in the sport since you started?

When I started competing in 2020, the sport was growing rapidly, and I could feel a real excitement surrounding it.

Today, I believe the level of play has improved tremendously. Every aspect of the game—attacking, defending, serving, and more—is now mastered by many players. The challenge is that the enthusiasm around the sport is no longer quite the same. However, I believe it will come back, and I sincerely hope it does.

 

What has been the proudest moment of your Teqball career so far?

I have experienced many unforgettable emotions since the beginning of my Teqball journey.

One of my greatest memories with the French National Team was our quarterfinal victory at the World Teqball Championships in Thailand in 2023, where we defeated the Adrian Duszak / Marek Pokwap (POL) duo in the men's doubles category.

The semifinal I played alongside Rui Leitao (POR) in Santarém was also an incredibly emotional moment.

I have also enjoyed some remarkable experiences in men's singles, including several victories against Top 10 world-ranked players and reaching the final in Belgium in 2024? after an incredible run through the qualifying stages.

 

Teqball Academy

 

In 2021, you founded your own Teqball academy. What inspired you to start this project?

When I founded my academy in 2021, the objective was simple: to help build the future of French Teqball and introduce this new sport to the younger generation.

I wanted to take a long-term approach so that when I am eventually too old to represent my club, the next generation will already be prepared to take over.

Today, the academy's core group consists of four talented young athletes: Farell Beyer (FRA, 12 years old), Mael Wachbar (FRA, 13 years old), Andres Allue (FRA, 14 years old) and Xan Davila (FRA, 15 years old). They are at the heart of a long-term project aimed at preparing the next generation of French players for international competition.

 

What have been the biggest lessons you have learned during this journey?

From the very beginning, I quickly realized that learning Teqball requires a great deal of patience and resilience. Some young players had the talent, but not yet the mental strength needed to succeed.

I knew that every year I would lose one or two youngsters along the way due to a lack of perseverance or commitment.

 

How important are commitment, discipline and mental strength in identifying future elite players?

My training sessions require a high level of dedication. Working today with four committed and motivated young athletes is a real pleasure.

They understand that talent alone is not enough to reach the highest level. Their greatest asset will be their mindset.

They have already accomplished the hardest part by developing the essential foundations: balance, posture and technical control. Now, they need to continue growing, becoming physically stronger, and gaining experience in order to reach the next stages of their development.

 

What qualities do you look for most when working with young athletes?

Above all, I look for children with strong values and determination.

For them, Teqball is not only a sport, it's a journey that helps them grow as people. That is why I place great emphasis on team spirit and group cohesion.

Of course, talent is important, but these young players represent the future of French Teqball, and I want them to become a united team, as close as the fingers of the hand.

 

How do you balance developing technical skills while also preparing young players mentally for the challenges of high-level competition?

Each child has their own unique qualities. At the moment, they all know how to attack and smash effectively.

Now, I spend a great deal of time during training sessions working on their defensive skills.

To become strong defenders, they must learn how to anticipate the game and, above all, be strong on their feet with excellent balance and movement.

One of my biggest goals is to turn them into complete players.

 

Developing the Next Generation

 

How valuable is it for your young athletes to train alongside elite players?

I believe that my specific development work will soon come to an end. For some time now, I have been integrating the children into our elite training sessions.

The goal is to raise their level of play and allow them to learn from and be inspired by the players around them.

During these training sessions, we treat them as adult players, which enables them to improve after every practice.

 

What do you hope they learn from attending competitions?

I have already taken them to several competitions so they could meet other players and support me at tournaments in Paris, Lisbon and Brussels.

Beyond Teqball itself, they are always very happy to spend time together and share these experiences.

Recently, I entered Farell and Xan in the men's singles event at the tournament in Karlsruhe, Germany. They performed very well and even advanced beyond the group stage.

At the same tournament, I partnered with Andres in the men's doubles competition. He was outstanding. We reached the semifinals, and he earned the first medal of his career.

Seeing the joy on his face when we won match point was an incredible moment and a source of immense happiness for me.

 

How do you see the future of Teqball development in France?

There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am fortunate to see passionate people contributing to the growth of the sport.

One of them is Samir Fadeli, who is doing an excellent job with young players in Paris. His dedication and commitment to youth development are helping to create opportunities for the next generation of French athletes.

I believe that if more people follow this path and continue investing in young talent, the future of French Teqball can be very promising.

 

Dreams for the Future

 

One of your dreams is to one day compete alongside your son. Can you tell us more about that dream?

My son Farell is now 12 years old and has been training for a few years.

He's a really great player for his age.

My goal as I approach the end of my career is to play alongside him in men's doubles and represent France at the World Championships.

That would be fantastic!

 

What would mean more to you: seeing one of your academy athletes become a World Teqball Champion or one day represent France at the Olympic Games?

I had the privilege of competing at the 2023 European Games in Kraków. Representing your country on such a prestigious stage is, to me, one of the greatest honours imaginable.

Yet, seeing them become champions would be something truly special and a huge source of pride, having watched them from the very beginning when they couldn't even juggle a ball.

 

Building a Legacy

 

Lionel Beyer's story is about far more than results and rankings. While he continues to compete on the international stage, his greatest achievement may ultimately be the impact he has on the next generation of French Teqball players.

Through his academy, he is helping young athletes develop not only as competitors, but also as individuals. His dream of one day sharing the court with his son reflects the passion that continues to drive him, while his commitment to nurturing future champions demonstrates his belief in the long-term growth of the sport.

Whether his athletes go on to become World Champions, Olympians, or simply ambassadors for Teqball in their communities, Lionel's influence is already shaping the future of French Teqball—one player at a time.