Australian Broomballers came together on the New South Wales Central Coast to celebrate the 2016 Broomball Australia Nationals ‘Aussie’ style with the sun, surf, BBQ’s and broomball all on the agenda for many of those playing over the length of the tournament.
Previously.
It seems that the March – April time of the year is the preferred time for all member associations to play their respective nationals. Broomball Australia already limited with resources, suffered a set back when just weeks prior to hosts in Adelaide, South Australia getting ready to welcome the best from across Australia suddenly found themselves without ice due to a major technical issue at their chosen (and only large sheet of ice) rink. With no means to run the tournament and any planned fix at the rink not at that time anticipated in the short term the decision was made to delay the 2016 Broomball Australia Nationals.
New location found
Several weeks of negotiation with other centres around Australia finally found enough ice time to get the tournament back on track with a new date of June 10th – June 13th. at the Erina rink in Gosford New South Wales. Teams now had to alter travel plans from around the country to the new destination. The nationals in Australia are traditionally used as a guide for the team that will attend the IFBA worlds so successfully running their nationals is a very important event to Broomball Australia. Around 20 team members from NSW as well as the ACT made the trip to South Australia anyway with some using the trip as a holiday while others met with the local league there and played a fast 4 style game on the small sheet of ice (no goalies and 4 on 4) on the regular broomball night in the South Australian capitol.
Australian Nationals – done and dusted.
The long weekend of June 10th to June 13th in Australia saw the running of the 2016 Broomball Australia 2016 Nationals. With ice secured at the Erina rink near Gosford, New South Wales the 2016 tournament was played out to successful conclusion. Divisions included men’s, women’s and mixed (co-ed).
MIXED INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
The Mixed Intermediate final was between NSW 1 and NSW 3 with NSW 1 the winners. In this division the top points female was Anke Vermulon, MVP Female was also Anke Vermulen Top points male was Matt Hellyer and the MVP Male Jarrad Ferrara.
MIXED ELITE DIVISION
In the Elite Mixed division the final was again an all NSW battle with NSW 1 vrs NSW 2. NSW 2 outlasted the top rated team to win. Top points female was a tie with Bec Davis and Dominique Glazier taking the honours. MVP Female was Christine Filsell. Top points going to Tim Brown and the divisions MVP Kim Shapley.
MEN’S INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
In the Men’s Intermediate division the final was played out between NSW 3 and the team from South Australia, with the South Australian’s overcoming their opposition to win. Top Points, the MVP award and the best player in the final award went to Kim Shapley.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
In the Women’s division the final was played out between NSW and the ACT with NSW overcoming a very spirited team from the nations capitol. Top points went to Kirsty Martin. MVP went to Ceitlin Walker and the best player in the final award went to Sara Roffey
MEN’S DIVISION
Men’s division is always a hotly contested division with the teams that have dominated this division for many years again doing battle for the top prize. NSW 1 and the ACT put on a game that demonstrated the best of Australian Broomball with the team from the ACT taking out the final game of the tournament. Top points, MVP and best player in the final all went to Joe Kealey.
The Doug Nixon Fairplay Impact Player Award
Fairplay ‘impact’ player award is a new award that is presented honoring Doug Nixon the IFBA Referee in Chief who for many years has been coming to Australia to officiate at the Nationals and has become a friend and favourite to all. Mr Nixon normally presents a similar award to those he sees as being that impact player who plays in the spirit of the game and is not necessarily a star or key player. As the first recipient to this for 2016 Carla Franson from SA was the worthy winner (nb: Mr Nixon was unable to make the trip this year but promises to be back in 2017) All Stars – Decided in combination with the two senior officials for the tournament Mr Cory Skilton and Mr Alan Jabs the following are the all stars for 2016.
MIXED ALL STARS
Goalie – Chirstine Filsell, Defence – Kim Shapley, Defence – Josh Burton, Forward – Bec Davis, Forward – Elilie Terry, Centre – Saxon Hooper.
WOMEN’S ALL STARS
Goalie-Kate Livingston Thomas, Defence – Ceitlin Walker, Defence – Mel Lloyd, Forward – Lauren Yabsley, Forward – Alicia Martin, Centre – Kirsty Martin.
MEN’S ALL STARS
Goalie – James Kristoff, Defence – Tim Brown, Defence – Chris Lucas, Forward – Daniel Wong, Forward – Shane Martin, Centre – Joe Kealey.
Hall of Fame Award
One last and new award rounded out the presentation dinner. Broomball Australia has commenced a recognition award of persons, players and teams into the newly formed Hall of Fame. In recognition of long standing services to the sport of broomball in Australia at a local, national and international level this year the Broomball Australia President Mr Alan Jabs was very please to announce that Mr Shane Martin from the ACT and Mr Kim Shapley from South Australia as the very first to be inducted.
