LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - William Alger has a new favourite sport.

Ivor Cli-Norwegian, 13, practises catching the ball and dropping it back to the ice during a broomball clinic held in Fort Simpson from Jan. 10 to 14. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Alger, 12, was one of the students from Thomas Simpson School who were introduced to broomball during a five-day clinic in Fort Simpson from Jan. 10 to 14. For Alger, who'd never played broomball before, the sport's highlights include being in the rink but avoiding some of the difficulties of hockey.

"It's a little safer than hockey," Alger said.

Wearing specially designed shoes makes it easier to stop on the ice than with skates and players don't get pushed against the boards, he said. Instructors Conrad Morneau and Georgina Reynolds were eager to expound these and many other benefits of broomball.

Broomball, along with ringette, lacrosse, five-pin bowling and wheelchair curling, was developed in Canada and has been named a Canadian heritage sport.

The sport's popularity peaked in the 1970s with approximately 100,000 players across the country, Morneau said.

Using funding from the federal government the Canadian Broomball Federation is working to revive the sport. The clinic in the village was an initiative between the federation, NWT Broomball and the Mackenzie Recreation Association.

Broomball's attractions include the fact that it's relatively inexpensive and is inclusive. Anyone from children to seniors, even people with disabilities, can play broomball as long as they can run or walk on the ice, Reynolds said.

"Broomball, it's a lifetime sport," she said.

Broomball also provides a good cardiovascular workout. The sport uses the same ice surface size as hockey but unlike skates broomball shoes don't slide.

"If you don't move your feet you don't go anywhere," Reynolds said.

It's also easy to learn how to play the winter sport. People can learn how to play broomball in half an hour but you can't do that with hockey if you've never skated before, Morneau said.

For broomball you just need to learn the basic rules and how to run on the ice, he said.

During the week Morneau and Reynolds worked with both junior and senior high students during their physical education period.

Students learned broomball basics and played a few games.

Ariel and Leanna Sanguez, who played broomball before in Jean Marie River, said they enjoyed the chance to try the sport again.

"It's really fun," Leanna said.

Morneau and Reynolds left behind resources so the sport can continue in the village.

Thirty pairs of shoes, 30 sticks and a number of balls used in the clinic will remain at the recreation centre.

The instructors also led a Broomball for Fun coach's clinic to teach interested adults the basic necessities needed to coach youths in the sport.

"It's a good start," said Deborah Stipdonk, the executive director of the Mackenzie Recreation Association.

Stipdonk would like to see Fort Simpson become a regional centre for broomball so the sport can gradually be expanded to other Deh Cho communities.

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