Saltfleet’s gym yesterday hosted school- and national-calibre games of floorball, a fast-growing sport that promises to improve skills of students in the HWDSB Hockey Canada Skills Academies as well as student experience as an inter-board sport.By ROB FAULKNER, HWDSB Staff

Billy Green students Taylor Mullen and Michael Ciavarella [...]]]> By ROB FAULKNER, HWDSB Staff repostHWDSB media desk

Saltfleet’s gym yesterday hosted school- and national-calibre games of floorball, a fast-growing sport that promises to improve skills of students in the HWDSB Hockey Canada Skills Academies as well as student experience as an inter-board sport.By ROB FAULKNER, HWDSB Staff

Billy Green students Taylor Mullen and Michael Ciavarella admit the game is fast, the ball-handling tricky and the learning curve steep in the little-known sport of floorball.

“It’s a lot like hockey,” Ciavarella said inside Saltfleet secondary’s gym yesterday, where Highview won the HWDSB elementary championship in a sport that bills itself as “the world’s most popular indoor hockey.”

Yesterday, Saltfleet’s gym was transformed, with packed bleaches and knee-level sideboards, for this fast-growing sport, one that promises to improve skills of students in HWDSB Hockey Canada Skills Academies, and add to student experience as it flourishes as an inter-board sport.

Floorball is a low-cost type of indoor hockey easy to confuse with floor or ball hockey. But the sticks are extremely light; the ball is like a whiffle ball; and the rink, usually 40 by 20 metres, fits well in community centres and school gyms.

“In Europe, floorball was designed to improve your on-ice skills, off-ice. Obviously it’s more economical to improve your skills off the ice and it’s great for conditioning as well,” explained Rob Blunsdon, special assignment teacher for Programs of Choice, which include the Hockey Canada Skills Academies at Sherwood, Churchill, Ancaster and Waterdown.

“We’ve been supportive of this, and four of our students have been on the national team: two current students and two former students,” he explained. Current Sherwood students on Team Canada include forwards Joel Inouye and Andrew Radjenovic.

After the Highview win, national teams began warming up for game one of a Canada-U.S. series that will determine who goes to the worlds in Finland in December. The game, born in Scandinavia, is tough to win in Europe, said Floorball Canada vice-president Paul Charbonneau. Finland is the team to beat. “We would struggle to keep them under 10 points,” he admits.

But Hamilton is becoming a hub for the sport that draws crowds of 20,000 in Europe. This year’s tournament saw 32 HWDSB elementary teams, up from 20 last year. The finals saw broad representation of schools from across the city, with east Hamilton’s Adelaide Hoodless, the east Mountain’s Highview, Stoney Creek’s Billy Green and Ancaster Senior competing.

“Floorball will be worked into our Hockey Skills Academies because, while they are on the ice twice a week, the stick-handling of floorball has been proven to improve their skills on-ice,” Blunsdon said. “It’s a safe sport, it builds sportsmanship and kids who may not embrace other sports easily get the hang of it.”

In addition, Charbonneau said Floorball Ontario is working with Durham educators to develop a curriculum package to help teachers lead a two-week floorball unit. He said floorball is being played in 150 Ontario schools, and three Toronto youth leagues.

Tomorrow, Feb. 6, Saltfleet will host a morning skills clinic with HWDSB students, before game two of the Canada-U.S. series.

Hockey academy teacher Anthony Herrington brought floorball to Sherwood after discussing training with Sweden’s Bjorn Kinding, who was heavily involved in floorball. Kinding created a skills manual and Herrington order the proper sticks for his class.

“From there, it grew and grew and grew.”

mika karusaari- floorball player extraordinaire

Most Monday evenings, Vancouver’s local Floorball community gathers in downtown Yaletown’s Roundhouse Community Centre.  Mondays have always been a nice mix of new and veteran Floorballers.   We have also been privileged that visiting European students have commonly found their way to the Roundhouse to participate.  The attendance at [...]]]>  

mika karusaari- floorball player extraordinaire

Most Monday evenings, Vancouver’s local Floorball community gathers in downtown Yaletown’s Roundhouse Community Centre.  Mondays have always been a nice mix of new and veteran Floorballers.   We have also been privileged that visiting European students have commonly found their way to the Roundhouse to participate.  The attendance at Yaletown’s Roundhouse has always been steady, but since the New Year, we have really noticed a boost in numbers.  Monday night Floorball has always had a steady influx of new visiting European players and recently, we have been blessed with 3 special Finnish visitors.

Frequenting our Floorball evenings have been Mika, Timo, and Tuomas.  From there very first time playing Floorball in Vancouver, it was clear how much talent and experience the 3 of them possessed.  The increased intensity and speed of play on Monday and Thursday were instantly evident.  Recognizing Mika, Timo, and Tuomas‘ passion and enthusiasm for the game, BC Floorball executives and players (Greg Beaudin and Blair Zimmerman) approached our Finnish friends to help coach Floorball to our beginner and intermediate players.  The 3 of them have helped to run and coach our West Vancouver youth and adult programs.  We have greatly appreciated their dedication to growing and teaching Floorball in Vancouver.

Mika has played elite Floorball back home in Finland, as high as the second division.  He has coached Floorball to children aged 5-8 years old for the past two years and coaches an adult team in Finland.  Timo is also an active Floorball player.  His career has mostly been in cross-country skiing but as we have seen, he is also a gifted Floorball player.  Tuomas spent the last year working hard to join his 2 friends in Vancouver.  He has played high-level Floorball for 9 years.  All 3 of our Finnish friends have chosen to visit Vancouver to experience the Olympic games.  They are students of Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences, studying Sport and Leisure, and majoring in Coaching.

Kiitos to our new Finnish friends for taking their own free time to help build our Floorball programs here in Vancouver.  Please join our Finnish friends, regular players, and newcomers for some exciting Floorball on Monday (Roundhouse) and Thursday evenings (West Vancouver Community Centre).  Regular schedules to resume after the Olympics.  Please see the website for further details.

Stephanie Allam and Jonathan Koo

Chickadee magazine, a terrific Canadian magazine for kids, puts its focus on various types of Hockey in its current issue.

In their image above, Floorball is compared to other forms of indoor off-ice hockey…and it even made the bonus question: “in which game do [...]]]>  Repost from www.tartooful.com

Chickadee magazine, a terrific Canadian magazine for kids, puts its focus on various types of Hockey in its current issue.

In their image above, Floorball is compared to other forms of indoor off-ice hockey…and it even made the bonus question: “in which game do the goalies not have to use a stick?”.  I’m so glad that Chickadee noticed this great game!  Our only quibble?  They show florball players wearing helmets, which aren’t necessary at all.  Floorball rules and equipment make it so safe that even little kids can play in no fear of injury.

Check out the article in the current issue of Chickadee Magazine: http://owlkids.com  and for more information on floorball for kids in our community, go to www.bcfloorball.com

Teams will be made up based on community in which you reside. [...]]]> Dear All,
We are putting together a Vancouver FLOORBALL LEAGUE to start at the end of January.  The league will consist of a minimum of 4 teams to start.  Teams will play roughly once a month and more regularly once we have full teams set.

Teams will be made up based on community in which you reside.  Please contact the following GMs to play:

North Vancouver:  Greg Beaudin  greg.beaudin@bcfloorball.com

• Capilano Coho Floorball Club

Vancouver:  Johan Hoglund  johan@hoglund.ca
West Vancouver:  Karl Marits  kmarits@telus.net
Everyone else:  Michael Lindgren  pitea@shaw.ca

Venue, dates and fine details to be announced shortly.  Cost will be between $7-$10/game.  Please contact your GM to sign up or for more info.

Best wishes,
BCFF

Canada’s Men’s U19 National Floorball Team is recruiting volunteers to fill the following staff positions:

1.    General Manager 2.    Assistant General Manager 3.    Assistant Coach 4.    Trainer/Athletic Therapist 5.    Equipment Manager

The team will compete at the Men’s U19 World Floorball Championships in Norway, May, 2011.  Please note this is a volunteer position and all staff members are responsible [...]]]>

Canada’s Men’s U19 National Floorball Team is recruiting volunteers to
fill the following staff positions:

1.    General Manager
2.    Assistant General Manager
3.    Assistant Coach
4.    Trainer/Athletic Therapist
5.    Equipment Manager

The team will compete at the Men’s U19 World Floorball Championships
in Norway, May, 2011.  Please note this is a volunteer position and
all staff members are responsible for covering the cost of their
transportation, accommodation and all other expenses in Norway.  Costs
are estimated at $2400.  Collective team efforts will be made to
fundraise to reduce this cost.  All applicants must have a valid
passport, to expire on or after November 11, 2011.

We are looking for passionate, dedicated individuals with strong
leadership qualities that are serious about being part of a winning
team.  All members are expected to play significant roles to not only
the team but also the development of the team starting as early as
February 1st., 2010 and ending on May 31st, 2011.

For a more complete list of expectations and duties, please contact
Blair Zimmerman, U19 National Team Committee member at
zim@teamcanadafloorball.com.  To apply, please send cover letter and
resume to Blair Zimmerman at zim@teamcanadafloorball.com no later than
JANUARY 25th.

Although this trip was not without organizational and logistic difficulties, it is often easier to focus on what went wrong, versus the positive aspects of the trip.  It is true that Floorball is still a young sport in Canada, and there remains much more that Canadians and Floorball Canada can do to grow this game. [...]]]>

Although this trip was not without organizational and logistic difficulties, it is often easier to focus on what went wrong, versus the positive aspects of the trip.  It is true that Floorball is still a young sport in Canada, and there remains much more that Canadians and Floorball Canada can do to grow this game.  What is clear to me is how fun, fast, and addictive this game can be.  I hope that the growth of Floorball continues in Canada, with the help of the regional/provincial organizations, as well as Floorball Canada.

There were various suggestions made by players and staff after this tournament, and I am confident that the collective group in Canada will take the suggestions seriously.  I wish to remain involved with Floorball, both as a player, ambassador, advocate, and fan of the game.  I will miss Vasteras, Sweden, especially the new relationships that I have made with the staff, players, and our local Swedish friends.And to those of you not involved with Floorball, my wish is that after reading these WFC blogs, talking to the players, and watching the games online that you will come away with a new appreciation of this game, and enthusiastically help to grow the game.  Let’s make Canada a stronger nation on the international front.  With continued perseverance by Floorball Canada, the regional provincial clubs, and the national team players, I expect Canada to have a stronger showing in 2 years.  We should take inspiration from the Australian team, who like Canada 2 years prior, finished with a similar record in Denmark 2007.  This WFC, the Australians won the Group B division, and have guaranteed their place at the next WFC in 2011 alongside the Floorball powerhouses of the world in Group A.

I wish all the best to the wonderful new friends that I have made and to our Swedish hosts.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Koo

Floorball Canada

After completing a fun-filled fall season of youth and adult floorball at the West Vancouver Gym, we wanted to announce that Floorball Hockey (Floorhockey) will be back for more indoor hockey action, starting January 7th.  This is a popular program where sign-up is required in advance, if spots are still remaining, drop-in play will [...]]]> Hi Everyone,

After completing a fun-filled fall season of youth and adult floorball at the West Vancouver Gym, we wanted to announce that Floorball Hockey (Floorhockey) will be back for more indoor hockey action, starting January 7th.  This is a popular program where sign-up is required in advance, if spots are still remaining, drop-in play will be encouraged.

Floorball is a new type of indoor ball hockey, that has really cool sticks and a modified whiffle ball.  It’s fast, safe, affordable hockey for all ages.  In fact, 3 of the Top 5 current NHL scorers, Sedin, Gaborik and Backstrom played this type of hockey when they were kids and still do in the off-season for conditioning.  to get a feel for what Floorball is, see live Floorball games at the Top level here http://www.xfloor.tv

If you think your local school should have Floorball, send them this link: http://www.campusfloorball.com

To Register, visit http://webreg.westvancouver.net/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp?ProcessWait=N&aid=83986

BCFF

BC Floorball Players Stephanie Allam and Louise Clarke, and Dr. Jonathan Koo are in on the action representing TEAM CANADA

facebook page

Floorball Canada Blog

WFC2009.SE

The week started with a flurry of warm welcome and formal introductions in a packed auditorium of University Sports [...]]]> Greg Beaudin, President of BC Floorball and Director - Floorball Canada was recently invited to conduct a 4 Day workshop for students in a Sport and Recreation Leadership program a the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Hong Kong Floorball

The week started with a flurry of warm welcome and formal introductions in a packed auditorium of University Sports Professors and visiting delegates from both the Chinese and Hong Kong Special Olympics.

As Floorball has been awarded official sport status with the Special Olympics it is key on the agenda for participating countries to learn the game of Floorball and the differences between the long-standing Special Olympic sport of Floor Hockey.

The Workshop was organized in to 3 Parts; 1. Skills and Drills 2. Rules. 3. Tournament.

The Students were awesome. They were totally engaged in learning Floorball and helping to shape the workshop too. The hospitality was tremendous and the whole experience was amazing. Special thanks to Miss Hay Wood Ip!

Floorball in Hong Kong is officially launched, and their is now a strategic plan to grow the game in China too, as a result of this workshop and the key connections that were made.

Floorball is an excellent Team Sport for both the Able Bodied, Intellectually Disabled and Physically Disabled.  The future of Floorball is glowing for it’s universal appeal, accessibility, affordability and health benefits.

If you are not playing Floorball yet, take a look around the web and see what you are missing. It’s fast, fun, simple and pure.

BCFF