History
The International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA), formally established in 1998, is the world governing body for the sport of broomball.
Based in Canada, the IFBA is responsible for promoting the sport globally, organizing the biennial World Broomball Championships. It also administers the sport’s official rule book and coaching and officiating programs.
The International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA) was founded by past president Rick Przybysz after a visit to his home by a team from Australia, who were traveling 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 organization its true international flavour right from its inception.
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 – currently vacant
- Vice-President (Operations): Marc Desparois (also acting President) (Canada)
- Vice-President (Technical): Conrad Morneau (Canada)
- General Secretary: Alan Jabs (Australia)
- Treasurer – currently vacant
- Referee-in-Chief: Doug Nixon (Canada)
- Board member Chris Pilon (Canada)
The following countries have broomball programs recognized by IFBA, though they may not necessarily be members of the international body.
Americas
- Canada – Canadian Broomball Federation
- United States of America – USA Broomball
Europe
- Austria
- France
- Germany
- Italy – Comitato Italiano Broomball
- Russia
- Slovenia – Association of Slovenian Broomball
- Switzerland – Association Suisse de Broomball
Asia & Oceania
- Australia – Broomball Australia
- Japan
Expansion countries
In addition there are a number of countries that the IFBA is looking to take the game to, including:
- Belgium
- China
- Finland
- Greenland
- Iceland
- India
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- South Korea
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
Countries with Broomball Programs:
The following countries have broomball programs recognized by IFBA, though they may not necessarily be members of the international body.
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 recognized 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 Organization 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.
Planning the International Broomball program began in 1988 in Canada, to host the first Challenge Cup World Broomball Championships international broomball tournament in 1991 hosted in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The first event incorporated 800 athletes representing 44 Men, Women and Coed teams from USA, Japan, Australia, Finland, Italy, Germany and Canada. The resounding success of this event prompted the next World event which was returned to Victoria in 1996 and set the stage to form an International Federation.
Challenge Cup 3 was hosted by the Italian Broomball Association in 1998 and the “International Federation of Broomball Associations” (IFBA), was officially formed accepting a Constitution and Bylaws for the membership to abide by. The tradition of the World Broomball Championships has proceeded in two year increments with Victoria (Canada) 2000, Minneapolis (USA) 2002, Corner Brook (Canada) 2004.