The sport of broomball has recently been growing in popularity. Many, however, have never played while others have in fact only heard of the sport.
Having developed out of playing hockey without skates, the sport has been adapted and refined over the years becoming a highly intense, athletic game.
As a way to help spread awareness of the sport of broomball, a clinic was held at the Carlyle Sports Arena between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Organizers had planned to host a clinic for younger players between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., but the session following for 15-year-old to 19-years-old youth was absorbed into the younger player's session because there were no older youth who attended the clinic.
The eight youth participants thoroughly enjoyed their time on the ice, however, exclaiming how much fun they were having.
The clinic, sponsored by Impact Oilfield Management Team, was instructed by Estevan Raiderettes broom ball coach Dale Whitfield. During the clinic, youth were taught different skills associated with the game.
Youth first had to get used to the broom ball shoes, which saw them stepping onto the ice somewhat awkwardly to start. They quickly caught on and became engaged in the different skills Whitfield taught them.
From passing, to stick handling proficiency, to simply being able to move around on the ice Whitfield covered the necessary skills needed to play a game of broomball.
Youth had fun running around the ice on the special broom ball shoes and found the wind-up for a broom ball shot to be quite different from a hockey shot, although again they caught on quickly.
The sport is growing across Saskatchewan and more people are beginning to play, which is why it was important to Sonia Wilson, whose daughter, Katie, plays on Whitfield's team in Estevan to help show others in Carlyle the sport.
Overall though the turnout was somewhat disappointing, those who did attend had a lot of fun and were able to experience a new sport they had never tried before.
