Innisfil Broomball to start

The Innisfil Junior Broomball Association will be starting their season again this fall. The season starts Oct. 7th and goes into March.

Broomball for people that are not aware what the non-contact sport is all about, involves a stick that resembles the shape of a broom and an 8 inch diameter ball. The rules are similar to ball hockey except that the players wear broomball shoes on an ice surface. They also wear helmets, shin pads, and gloves for protection.

The young players practice throughout the season every Sunday morning at the Lefroy arena in Innisfil. This is the only junior broomball program offered in Simcoe County. It involves players from 5 to 15 years old. Every Sunday, the kids perform different types of drills that will test and/or enhance their skills and increase their endurance. Most of the drills are fun games that include break away show-downs, keep away, red rover, and sliding on the ice on different parts of the body to name a few.

Afterwards, there are scrimmages that provide team play and fun. In February, the kids are separated into teams and are entered into the Ontario Junior Broomball Provincial Tournament. This year's Provincials will be held at the new Recreational Center in Innisfil.

Last year in Lefroy, Stroud, and Thornton, teams from all over Ontario came to compete in Innisfil that brought over a thousand people to the area.

Last year, Innisfil entered two peewee co-ed teams who were not only cute to watch but were competitive. Co-ed Bantam and midget teams from Innisfil also played. This year, we hope to enter these teams plus a midget girls' team if we get the numbers. Peewee players range from 5 to 11 years old as of Dec. 31st, whereas bantam players range from 12 to 13 years old. Midget players range from 14 to 15 years old. Older kids either play with the co-ed adult league or combine with other teams to play. We have kids from all over Simcoe County and Barrie play on Sundays.

Last year, the league of kids had a lot of fun that involved not only a few tournament games throughout the year but a pot luck meal/toboggan party and games against their parents. The league focuses on fun, team cooperation, and everybody gets to play. The league has many assorted size shoes for most kids with a limited number of brooms.

If anyone is interested in trying the sport out a few Sundays, we would love to have you. Please contact Mike and Deb Dohohan at 705-424-5332 or Paul Baker at 431-1817 or e-mail us at minorbroomballinnisfil@hotmail.com