Councils updated on 2012 World Broomball Championships

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Tara Gesner

EMC Sports - This fall the best broomballers in the world will showcase their talent at arenas in Almonte, Arnprior, Beckwith, Carleton Place and Pakenham - during the World Broomball Championships.

"We present these championships with great pride," said John Dalgity, speaking to Mississippi Mills councillors during the Jan. 9 Recreation and Culture Committee meeting.

Dalgity is a member of the host committee. George Brown (chair), Al Reid, Ruth Brown, Jamie Dewar, Kevin Kealey, Todd Munro, Katy Naylor, Rob Munro and Ken and Pam Naylor join him, along with community liaisons Glen Arthur (Arnprior), Cassandra McGregor (Beckwith), Joanne Henderson (Carleton Place) and Paul Watters (Mississippi Mills).

"All of us are very experienced in broomball," said Dalgity. "George has been hosting tournaments in the valley for over 35 years. He is also the VP tech of Broomball Canada."

The International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA) organizes the championships every even-numbered year. They were held in Innsbruck, Austria in 2010, and Tomakomai, Japan is the destination in 2014.

While in Austria, local representatives (including Dalgity) met at Olympia World to bid on the 2012 championships.

"We were successful," exclaimed Dalgity. "This is a big deal for the Ottawa Valley. They usually give it to bigger cities."

Canada has consistently produced some of the top broomball teams in the world, he continued, "and it's been played in the Ottawa Valley since the mid 1950s."

During the 2012 championships, Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, host venues will include the Almonte and District Community Centre, Nick Smith Centre in Arnprior, Beckwith Recreation Complex, Neelin Street Community Centre and Stewart Community Centre.

"Beckwith's facility has one ice surface and an indoor soccer field, which will be used for the banquet and other events," said Dalgity. "The final games will be held in Arnprior because they can hold more people."

He expects 64 teams to participate - from 14 countries (Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland and United States).

"Each team averages 18 players, with four coaching staff," explained Dalgity.

"There will be one official for every two teams, along with 100 volunteers. That's a total of 1,540 direct participants. Our local businesses will have access to a broad target audience."

"We have 400 rooms blocked off at six hotels in Kanata," he added.

"There's also accommodations in Arnprior and Carleton Place."

The event is expected to bring in around $3.5 million in economic spin-off to the area.

Dalgity gave details of the range of sponsorship packages:

- WBC Booster Club ($20 plus),

- Program Advertising (printing contracts),

- 5 Star Program ($100 plus),

- Friends of the World Broomball Championships ($1,000 of goods or services),

- Bronze ($3,000),

-Silver ($5,000),

- Gold ($7,500),

- Promotional Partners.

There will be no shortage of events between Oct. 29 and Nov. 3.

"We will have an opening ceremony, formal ball drops in every community, a civic reception, theme night (Halloween), grand banquet, local school involvement, and a marketing event with Japan representatives," said Dalgity.

"Good job," said Coun. Denzil Ferguson.

"I think it's fantastic for the community," said Coun. Bernard Cameron. "A tremendous economic boost."

"Keep up the good work," said Coun. Rick Minnille.

In a game of broomball there are two teams, each consisting of six players: a goaltender and five others. Players hit a small ball around the ice with a stick called a broom, and players wear special rubber-soled shoes instead of skates.

Organizers held an introductory press conference on Nov. 30 at the Best Western in Bells Corners. For more information, visit www.2012worldbroomball.ca.