By Matt Miller matt@dmcityview.com

Slip, shoot and score

Broomball sweeps central Iowans off their feet

Broomball is a sport that is often misunderstood, as are the athletes who play. But if you’re looking for a sport that will sweep you off your feet, this is it.

“Broomball is quite similar to hockey, but instead of skating, you move around on the ice with shoes,” said Mandy Keller, Des Moines broomball board member. “I’ve played a lot of sports in my career, but broomball is the most addictive one I’ve played.”

That same addiction has caught fire throughout the Midwest, including Illinois, Michigan and Nebraska. Locally, the sport has been organized in Des Moines for more than 10 years. Approximately 90 athletes make up this year’s winter broomball league, which runs from Dec. 7 to Feb. 22 at Brenton Plaza.

“Numbers continue to grow for this sport because it’s one that isn’t very well known,” she said. “But people invite other people to try it, and word gets out about how fun it can be.”

Like hockey, the rules and positions are fairly similar. But instead of skates, players wear shoes. Instead of a puck, a small, synthetic leather ball is used. Gameplay also has two goal cages, one at each end, where teams attempt to score. And, what about the sport’s name? Broomball gets its name from the equipment used to play — a stick, which resembles a broom with a rubber mallet on the end to hit the ball into the goal. Although a modern-day 21st century sport, the origins of broomball date back to the early 1900s when it first appeared in Canada in the province of Saskatchewan. Facts are vague, but one tale claims that streetcar drivers used to hit the small ball about the ice during their lunch break. Another says the sport originated when women became interested in the male-dominated sport. Either fact or fiction, chasing a ball and slipping about the ice has appeal.

“People really get into it because it something that they really aren’t used to playing,” Keller said. “Add in the aspect of wiping out makes it all the more exciting.”

Last year, the Des Moines league had five full-ice and seven half-ice teams. This year, numbers are about the same, and Keller says the sport is healthful.

“Broomball players are going to get a good workout — both cardio and muscular,” she said. “It’s fun, competitive and you’ll feel it the next day.”

Globally, broomball is also played in Canada, Japan, Germany and Finland. In the United States, Minnesota is considered the broomball capital of the world. USA Broomball oversees the annual USA Broomball National Championships, bringing in teams from Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota and Iowa. Last year’s championship was held in Blain, Minn., and this year’s will be held in Fargo, N.D.

For those who cannot get enough broomball during the winter, Des Moines offers a spring league with 12 teams that begins in March at the Metro Ice Sports Facility in Urbandale.

“Broomball is a great sport that many ages can play,” Keller said. “You don’t have to have any experience to play, and it’s still fun.” CV

Locker Room note: The 24th annual Skywalk Open Golf Tournament will take place Saturday, Feb. 7 in Des Moines’ downtown skywalk system. Registration is available at www.skywalkgolf.com for the three divisions: singles, doubles and foursomes. Cost is $25 per golfer through Jan. 23, 2009, and $30 per golfer from Jan. 24 to Feb. 4, 2009. Tee times are available from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call Kris Rives at 286-4904.

If you are involved with a traditional or non-traditional sport and would like to be featured, contact Matt Miller at matt@dmcityview.com or call 953-4822 ext. 320. CV

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