HISTORY OF BROOMBALL

Broomball is a recreational ice sport originating in Canada and played around the world. The sport is played in a hockey rink, and there are two teams consisting of six players (a goaltender and 5 others) on the ice at a time. The object of the game is to score more goals than your opponent, where tactics, play and rules are similar to those of hockey. Players hit a small ball around the ice with a stick called a "broom". The game consists of three 16 minute periods each of running time. There are two officials for each game that call penalties, offsides, goals, and such.

USA Broomball is the American Organization governing broomball. The International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA) is the world governing body of broomball. Every 2 years the IFBA runs the World Broomball Championships, an international event where teams from around the globe enter. The IFBA is now talking of taking the sport to the winter Olympics.

Recent research indicates that a sport known as knattleikr was played in Iceland in the 10th century that was similar to broomball. The sport was almost considered warfare, with the occasional death not uncommon, and games could involve whole villages and lasted up to fourteen days. Writer Hord Grimkellson reported that in a game between Strand and Botn, that "before dusk, six of the Strand players lay dead, though none on the Botn side".

CENTRAL VERMONT WOMEN'S LEAGUE HISTORY

Check back soon for an update in this section!!

EQUIPMENT USED

The broom may have a wooden or aluminum shaft and has a rubber-molded triangular head.

Players wear special rubber-soled shoes instead of skates.

A broomball is spherical with a circumference of between 17.6" and 19.2" made of hard blue leather.

Goal cages are used at each end of the rink that measure 6 feet by 8 feet.

Players can also wear helmets, knee pads, shin pads, elbow pads and gloves for added protection.