National Sports Center to host World Broomball Championships at Schwan Super Rink, October 30-November 4
NEWS RELEASE
NSC Contact: Barclay Kruse, 763.785.5634
Tournament Director: Al Stauffacher, 763.792.7306
Blaine, Minn. (October 19, 2006) – The 2006 World Broomball Championship will be held at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, October 30-November 4, 2006. The Schwan Super Rink is located on the campus of the National Sports Center.
This marks the seventh time the World Broomball Championship has been held. The Schwan Super Rink hosted the World Championships once previously, in 2002. In addition to the National Sports Center, the event has been held three times in Victoria, B.C., Canada, and once each in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland, Canada, and Bolzano, Italy. The International Federation of Broomball Associations sanctions the tournament, and the tournament is held every two years.
Teams will be attending from five different countries – U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia and Italy.
Three divisions will be contested: men’s, with 12 teams; women’s, with six entrants; and mixed, with ten teams.
In addition to playing games, teams will be entertained with several social events, including a Timberwolves basketball game; a Halloween-night outing to Anoka, the “Halloween Capital of the World;” opening ceremonies; and a championship banquet.
Here is the tournament schedule:
Monday, October 30: Opening ceremonies.
Tuesday, October 31-Thursday, November 2: Preliminary round games.
Friday, November 3: Playoff games.
Saturday, November 4: Championship games and banquet.
When determined, a full game schedule and results will be available at http://www.2006worldbroomball.com/
A full-week tournament pass will be available for $25. Daily tickets are priced at $5 for Monday’s opening ceremonies and for preliminary-round games on Tuesday through Thursday. Daily tickets for playoff games on Friday and Saturday are priced at $7. Children 12 and under are half-price. Tickets will be available at the door.
ABOUT BROOMBALL: Broomball is a popular recreational ice sport often thought to have originated in Canada. It is played on a hockey rink either indoors or outdoors, depending on climate and location.
Players hit a small ball around the ice with a stick known as a 'broom'. The broom may have a wooden or aluminium shaft and has a rubber-molded triangular head similar in shape to that of a regular broom. Originally, straw brooms, with the straw dipped in wax were used; now almost all the broom heads are made of molded rubber as it is much more durable. Additionally, players wear special rubber-soled shoes instead of skates.
Each team has six players – a goaltender plus five outfielders. The object of the game is to score more goals than your opponent. Goals are scored by putting the ball into your opponent's net using your broom. Tactics and plays are similar to those used in sports such as ice hockey.