International Federation of Broomball Associations

The International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA), formally established in 1998,[1] is the world governing body for the sport of broomball.

"IFBA" redirects here. For another use, see Federal Institute of Bahia.
International Federation of Broomball Associations logo

Based in Canada, the IFBA is responsible for promoting the sport globally, organising the biennial World Broomball Championships. It also administers the sport's official rulebook and coaching and officiating programs.

History of the IFBA

The International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA) was founded by Rick Przybysz after a visit to his home by a team from Australia, who were travelling across Canada playing games in various locations back in 1988 (They actually camped on his front lawn) where discussions chanced the possibility of getting Broomball into the winter olympics amongst other ideas for the sport. Mr.Przybysz became the IFBA's first President holding that position until 2014. The very first Secretary General was an Australian and at that meeting, thereby giving the then newly established organisation its true international flavour right from its inception.

Board of directors

The day-to-day operations of the IFBA are run by the Board, a body of volunteer individuals elected by the sport's member associations.

The current Board of Directors is:

  • President - Marc Desparios (Canada)
  • Vice-President (Operations): currently vacant (acting in vacant position) Marc Desparois (Canada)
  • Vice-President (Technical): Conrad Morneau (Canada)
  • General Secretary: Alan Jabs (Australia)
  • Treasurer - Robert Horvat (Canada)
  • Referee-in-Chief: Doug Nixon (Canada)
  • Technical Director: Chris Pilon (Canada)

Additionally there is a Board of Governors which meets on a timely basis. The Board of Governors is made up of representatives from each officially recognised member country of the IFBA and it is these Governors who from instruction from their respective member associations vote in the IFBA Board of Directors in accordance to the registered not for profit constitution. The IFBA was registered as a Not for Profit Organisation in 2013 after a major update of its documentation to comply with recent changes to Canadian association law. The IFBA is registered as an entity in Canada.

Member Associations of IFBA

The following countries have broomball programs recognised by IFBA, though they may not necessarily be members of the international body.

Americas

Europe

Asia & Oceania
  • Australia - Broomball Australia
  • Japan - Japan Broomball Association
  • India - Broomball Association (India) - BAI

Expansion countries

In addition there are a number of countries that the IFBA is looking to take the game to, including:

World championships

The IFBA is responsible for facilitating the World Broomball Championships, held biennially (every two years) in international locations using the skills and expertise of various host cities and member associations . As the vast majority of broomball players and teams are based in Canada or The USA, most of the championships to date have been held in this part of the world. The 1998 World Broomball Championship was held in Bolzano, Italy, and the 2010 version was held in Innsbruck and Telfs, Austria were organised and run directly by the Board of the IFBA.

Most recently the 2016 World Broomball Championships were held in Regina, Saskatchewan,USA hosted by The Saskatchewan Broomball Association a member association of Broomball Canada.

Traditionally World Championships see teams enter from Canada, United States, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, France and Australia. Teams representing Austria, Slovenia and Germany, have also taken part but due to limited player numbers and broomball programs these nations are not able to attend each World Championship. Australia, Japan and Canada have sent teams to every World Championship.

The next IFBA World Broomball Championship is to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

World championships - historically
Main article: World Broomball Championships

The first World Championships (then known as the Challenge Cup) was held in Victoria, British Columbia in 1991, and was attended by over 800 athletes and 44 teams.[2] The most recent event, held in Tomakomai, Japan], was the eleventh edition of the championships. Most events now have a minimum of 48 teams and well over 1100 athletes attend.

The World Championships are primarily held between member association national teams but club teams are also accepted. There are different divisions, Men's - 2 divisions (full contact), Women's (non contact), Mixed (co-ed - non contact) and Masters (non contact). The largest number of teams ever registered for the championships was at the Ottawa event in 2012.

European Championships

As part of growing and developing the sport of Broomball the IFBA has encourage the European-based member associations to hold European Nationals in the odd numbered years. The formation of the European Broomball Association oversaw the most recent European Nationals in late 2017 in the northern Italian region of Egna/Neumarkt Past events have also been held in Slovenia and Italy.

Pacific Rim Tournament

The growth of the sport of Broomball across the globe led to member association Broomball Australia running the IFBA sanctioned satellite event "The Pacific Rim" tournament. Mostly attended by teams from across Australia there has also been some interest shown by teams from Canada and Japan.

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References
  1. "History". IFBA. 27 January 2006. Archived from the original on 16 October 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 October 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  • Alan Jabs - General Secretary, International Federation of Broomball Associations. (January 2016)
  • Alan Jabs - General Secretary, International Federation of Broomball Associations. (Aug 2018)
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