Tuesday, May 10, 2016
World Championships-2016
The Canadian Women's Team
The World Under 19 Women’s Floorball Championships
concluded last Sunday in Belleville Germany
Trailing 5-3 in
the final period, the Canadians tied the score in the dying minutes of the
game. And then the Germans scored to nail down the victory, on a somewhat
contentious goal. In the “A” Division, Sweden Finland
As a spectator at several of the Games, the rules, and
the application of those rules, proved to be somewhat confusing, at times. Even
though the game appears to be cloned from hockey, there are variations that are
certainly derived from soccer. There is contact, and it is supposed to be
incidental. On a couple of occasions, players were sent sprawling over the
boards, with no call. And yet, moments later, players were sent to the penalty
box for virtually no reason.
Brett Davis oversaw the games as the President of the
Canadian contingent. When I asked him about the rules of the game, he replied,
“Once you get it figured, it becomes a chess match!”
Brett Davis, with Rosi Oulette
The boards are only about 40 centimeters high, and the
ball often flies out of bounds. The ball is awarded to the team not responsible
for shooting the ball over the boards. As in soccer. Goalies have no sticks,
and rely on instinct and reflexes to stop shots. As in soccer.
But the players do carry sticks, and are adept with them
in pushing around a whiffle ball about the size of a hardball.
It was truly a great international event for the area.
Flags of the participating nations adorned the Sports Centre. Players, coaches,
administrators, and friends from 15 nations interacted in the name of sport.
Never a bad idea. Fans came from many European nations to cheer for their
teams, in their own manner. That is, an incessant banging of drums, and tooting
of horns. Win, lose, or draw: the same noise, constantly. They just don’t quit!
The organizers were thrilled with the turnout for the
Games. There were more than 3 000 fans at the first Canadian game against the
Japanese. It was great to see so many fans at the Yardmen Arena. Although the
games between the European teams were not as well attended, overall attendance
was outstanding!
This was the first time that the games had been held
outside Europe . The success of these games
bodes well for the future of the sport in North America .
Organizers are constantly promoting the game, hoping to see it as an Olympic
sport in 2024.
Special recognition is in order for the Trenton Prince
Edward Island Alberta
Congratulations to Marc Crawford on his appointment as an
assistance coach of the Ottawa
And now? A little time for the Raptors, the Blue Jays,
the World Hockey Championships. And yes, time to garden as well!
James Hurst
# posted by James Hurst @ 5:00 AM 
