The Rural Voice, 1980-01, Page 371
team now, which is ranked about fifth best
in the province. Elgin Dearing said the best
broomball teams come from the
Ottawa -Cornwall area in eastern Ontario,
and that "Quebec is even better yet."
Teams from French -
Canada have held the national
championship for the past two years.
The Seaforth team, which plays from
October until sometime in April,
depending how far they go in final
tournaments, has played in competitions
in Windsor, Detroit and all around
southwestern Ontario. The rewards are
growing as the sport becomes more
popular -first prize in tournaments now is
often $250-5300 and the Belle River
Tournament later this season will offer a
51500 prize.
But team member Jim Henderson of RR
SSeaforth points out the game would still
be a losing proposition if you figured the
expenses of getting to and from
tournaments against the prizes. He
believes the social part of the game is just
as important as the rewards of winning.
Now broomball certainly isn't a sport
reserved only for males. Women's teams
are also growing in leaps and bounds -there
are eight in the Seaforth Broomball
League. While Elgin Dearing said the pace
of women's games is generally "slower",
Neil Murray adds "they're usually
rougher" than the mens' games.
In case anyone assumes the reason
broomball is so popular is because it's
tamer than hockey, Jim Henderson is quick
to point out there's lots of body contact and
there are injuries. The players said that the
local chiropracter in town showed up at
their last game to hand out cards
advertising his services.
What makes a good broomball player?
Well, you should be reasonably healthy
and in good shape. Anyone who has played
minor hockey as a kid also has an
advantage, according to Coach Dearing.
He said he knows one woman broomball
player who has had several years of
women's hockey, and she stands out as one
of the better players on her team.
Now although broomball has become
increasingly popular with participants, the
general public still hasn't taken to the sport
quite as wholeheartedly. The team
members said 50 people in an audience is
still considered a good turnout for a game
and "most are other players rather than
interested townspeople."
Broomball is still a sport for amateurs,
but as Neil Murray points out, "in the last
few years it's really started to come into
it's own it's really getting a union to it."
Wan all the professional hockey players
going into firming in the off-season,
maybe it's time for farmers to consider
going into professional broomball league
during their off-season.
FAMILY PARADISE
PICNIC AND CAMP GROUNDS
We wish to extend a most sincere
"best wishes" for a Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year to our many new
friends and patrons.
SUNDAY JANUARY 27, 1980
We have been fortunate enough to be
chosen"Host House" for the Whipper Billy
Watson Snowarama for Crippled Children.
With your support we are planning to
make this the best run ever for Snowarama
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10, 1980
Family Paradise Snowmobile Club will
host its rally and extends an invitation to
all to join in for the fun.
The above events will include many prizes,
hot food and indoor refreshments.
ANY QUESTIONS CALL 527-0629.
Thank you
John and Judy George
R.R. 4 Walton 527-0629
for cleaner, more economical,
trouble-free miles
coo P REGULAR GASOLINE
For all your petroleum supplies,
come to
LUCKNOW
District Co-operative 529-7953
THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1980 PG. 35