The cornerstone of Floorball development in BC is based on the Floorball Demo, a fun-filled session we call the “Floorball Challenge” Because Floorball is such a new sport option in Canada, it is both fun and necessary to get as many people exposed to Floorball so that players, parents, coaches and teachers can understand the different rules of Floorball, the similarities to Floorhockey and Ballhockey as well as the improvements in the equipment, the safety, and the skills development techniques.

Floorball is the newest form of Hockey to hit the streets and gyms across Canada.  Similar to Ballhockey but safer, Similar to Floorhockey but better. The only way to see the difference for yourself is to take the Floorball Challenge!

If you would like to take the Floorball Challenge, here is what your group will receive:

• We bring the sticks, the balls and the Goalie Gear…all you have to do is rent the Gym
• BCFF will provide a DVD with all the information that you will require to set up a Floorball Club
• Introduction to Floorball
  • History
  • Rules
  • Opportunities
• Floorball Instruction
  • learn from Team Canada Players, Local Hockey Talent and European Stars
  • learn how to airhook, the sweep shot and the art of the 360 toedrag move
• Floorball Handouts and 1pagers to help You promote the sport!
• Discounts on Starter Packages

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE FLOORBALL CHALLENGE, CONTACT US TODAY!

email us at: info@bcfloorball.com

or call us directly: 778.385.7825

This years Montreal Open netted the exact same results, for me, as last year - made it to the Finals, lost to Red Phoenix of Montreal.

As was the case last year, the competition was truly about second place. There were great teams from Montreal to beat- The Patriots and the Outsiders, New York had a great team as always, the Ottawa teams were solid, the Toronto Vikings had a shot and yet everyone figured that Red Phoenix would take the Gold.  I teamed up the Floorball Club of Toronto, and we reached the Finals.  The FCT game plan was more about containment,  we missed some early scoring chances and we could have given them a run, but in the end, they blanked us 5-0.

Red Phoenix is a formidable Floorball team that consists of Ball-Hockey standouts like Simon Leblanc, Patrice Pare, Stephane Laporte and Patrick Duscharme.  These guys are the core athletes of two winning teams in two different sports; Ball Hockey and Floorball.  Red Phoenix truly exemplifies that which is the essence of competitive hockey. Their playing style is a fused version of Ice Hockey, Ball Hockey and Floorball.  Floorball is a new’ish’ brand of hockey for Canadians and we are feeling our way around the tactics, the speed, the skill, and the finesse plays that are encouraged through the enhanced rules of non-contact play.  This is not to say that Floorball is “soft”, it isn’t.  Floorball is gruelling and physical, especially at the elite level, and due to the fact that no protective equipment is required to play, it only makes sense to limit the body checking, the hacking, and the hooking and grabbing.  We see the this methodology in the “New NHL” and the reason to limit interference is to encourage goal scoring, offensive highlights and speed.  Off-Ice, Floorball is the fastest growing team game in the International hockey landscape.

Floorball is on track to becoming an Olympic Sport and when one views the game live or online it is apparent that Floorball has the makings of being a Top Ten Team Sport- Globally. It’s very important that Floorball Canada, the new membership and each tournament organizing committee makes sure that we protect the integrity of the International game of Floorball and not bring Floorball in to the gutter, so to speak, with malicious stickwork and fighting.

The Montreal Open had its moments of thuggery amongst some of the players, however, I am happy to report that these incidents were few and far between and that they were a result of heated competition rather than a few loose cannons popping off in the the thick of the battle. Overall, the solid officiating combined with the sportsmanship of elite Floorballers made the tournament a pleasure to play in.

To me, Floorball is to Ball Hockey, what the New NHL is to the 90’s NHL.   Red Phoenix understands this and the early adopters within Hockey Canada Skills Academies, from coast to coast, understand this too. It’s for these reasons that I am charged up about the future of Floorball in Canada.  Red Phoenix represents the best-of-the-new-breed of hockey player in Canada, they play a beautiful team concept and can adjust their game to play Ball Hockey style or Floorball style with relative ease.  Of course, you can see that they are Ice Hockey players through and through and even if Simon Leblanc was not a Bobby Orr  on the ice, he sure controls the floor like the great number 4.

The Montreal Open also gave me a chance to promote the Canadian National Floorball Championships, in B.C. ,at the Richmond Olympic Oval to the other Provinces and their players. The Nationals are shaping up to be a huge marketing opportunity for both BC Floorball and Floorball Canada. I hope you can all be there and if You think you can help out in any way, please contact us at info@bcfloorball.com

kind regards,

Greg Beaudin- President/BC Floorball Federation

Floorball Canada is currently seeking volunteers interested in sitting on one ofo four newly established working committees:

· National Championships
· Women’s 2009 National Team
· Men’s 2010 National Team
· Corporate Sponsorship

Each Committee requires several capable volunteers who will contribute to setting goals, creating policies and procedures and ensuring that Canada is presented in a positive manner within the national and international floorball communities and beyond. Each Committee will work closely with Floorball Canada board members to ensure tasks are completed within the appropriate timelines and with the best interest of the floorball community in mind. Securing representation from all active provinces will be a priority to ensure the cross-regional priorities are effectively balanced.

1. National Championships Committee

National Championships Details:
· Dates: April 18-19, 2009
· Location: Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond, BC
· Currently in discussions with the IFF to host a Development seminar around this event

Responsibilities:
· Consistent contribution of effort (up to 2-3 hours per week) from now until March 2009
· Determine what criteria will be used to launch each championship and select a host: frequency of event, provincial requirements, financial
requirements, field of play requirements, summit format, relationship to the National Team Program
· To establish the process for the selection of the provincial federation that will host each National Championship
· To develop guidelines to which the host province must adhere
· To create an effecting marketing campaign that targets potential sponsors and attracts media attention

2. Women’s National Team Committee

Women’s World Floorball Championships Details:
· Dates: December 5-13, 2009
· Location: Sweden
· This will be Canada’s second appearance at this event, finishing 7th in the B Division in 2007.

Responsibilities:
· Consistent contribution of effort (upto 2-3 hours per week) from now until November 2009
· Build on current selection process policies
· Assist in team staff selection, player scouting, tyout requirements
· Set a budget and explore fudraising opportunities

3. Men’s National Team Committee

Men’s World Floorball Championships Details:
· Dates: December 4-12, 2010
· Location: Finland
· Team Canada will have to qualify for the tournament by securing a number one ranking among all registered countries within the Americas (US, Brazil,
Argentina, Canada). Qualifications to be held between October 2009 and February 2010. Canada hopes to host this qualification tournament.

Responsibilities:
· Consistent contribution of effort from January 2009 until the end of the Qualification Tournament. Time requirements will vary based on Canada’s
hosting of the Qualifications.
· Build from current selection process policies
· Assist in team staff selection, player scouting, tyout requirements
· Set a budget and explore fudraising opportunities

4. Corporate Sponsorship Committee

Responsibilities:
· Developing a sponsorship package and other marketing collateral related to sponsorship promotions
· Promoting Floorball Canada and its properties to potential sponsors (National Championships, National Teams, Website, etc.)
· Creating an effective marketing campaign targeting interested sponsors as well as attracting and securing new sponsors
· Negotiating with prospective sponsors and customizing opportunities to suit their interests
Please contact your Provincial Representative if you are interested in helping out on one or more of these committees.

Paul Charbonneau - Ontario
paul@floorballcanada.ca
David Clement - Quebec
david.clement@floorballcanada.ca
James Stasiewich- Alberta
james@anchormanufacturing.ca
Greg Beaudin - British Columbia
greg@floorballcanada.ca