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BHUK Limited is the governing body for ball hockey in the United Kingdom
BHUK Junior Nationals 2019/20
Ball Hockey UK have taken the decision to cancel the Junior Nationals Finals for the 2019/20 season.
With being in lockdown, coupled with availability of clubs, it was unfortunately the only conclusion.
With that in mind, we have taken the decision to award the National Winners in each age group. We feel it’s been a tough year for the children and it’s only fitting that the winners, receive some recognition.
Under 7 - Sheffield Steelers Orange
Under 10 - Sheffield Steelers
Under 13 - Nottingham Huskies
Under 16 - Nottingham Huskies
Ball Hockey President joins NHL Tonight episode...
NHL tonight, normally associated with in-game Ice Hockey action and news from around the NHL, on Thursday 5th November, featured special guest George Gortsos, the president of the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) and previously Canadian National Ball Hockey Coach (coaching the team to 4 ISBHF world championship wins), as well as being a #33 D man, with an illustrious career.
During this episode, Jamie Hersch, American sportscaster, introduced George, by saying that 'Ball and street hockey is very similar to Ice Hockey' and asked George to explain 'how it compares to ice hockey'. Not only was this amazing coverage for the sport we all love, but it also gave the ISBHF president an opportunity to explain the differences between the sports.
George reminisced about the 'old days' where there was full body contact and full hits were legal! Jamie's co-presenter also asked if there was fighting. George said there was at the 'highest level' - so it's nice to know we all play at the highest level then!
George was one of the most celebrated players in the game. He was a perennial All-star and Outstanding Defenceman who was decorated on numerous occasions at the league, provincial, national and most recently, international level of competition. His trophy case contains (3) TBHA & (4) NWTBHL titles along with (4) OBHA AAA Provincial and (5) CBHA National Championships to go with the inaugural World Championship Gold Medal he helped to commandeer as the captain of Team Canada 1996 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
George Gortsos, who capped off his career as the OBHA's Athlete of the Year in 1994 and was later honored as the Most Outstanding Defenceman at the World Championships in 1996, is unquestionably one of the premier practitioners in "Orange Ball" history who has earned his rightful place in the CBHA Hall of Fame.
To watch the full interview visit:
We would like to congratulate the winning teams, it’s been a great season despite the abrupt end, and also a big thank you goes out to all clubs that have taken part.
The winners of each age group were the teams with most qualifying points, winning all of their respective qualifiers. As an association we believe that this was the fairest way for them to be awarded.
Once competition resumes and we’re allowed back on to the rink, we will arrange a presentation for all trophies to be awarded.
In the meantime, we’re meeting regularly (via zoom) and planning as much as we can for the 20/21 season. We will update you as much and as regularly as possible when they are any developments.
Stay safe everyone.
Ali Cree,
BHUK Vice President
Finland set to host its first ISBHF sanctioned international event in its history....
The city of Ylitornio and its Ainiovaara Arena (host of Finnish National Championships) with brand new multisport flooring, will welcome club teams at the Arctic Circle Cup on August 25-28, 2021.
‘The ISBHF is working hard with its nations to build an impressive schedule of events in 2021. We want to make history together with our Finnish Family by holding an international event by the Arctic Circle – the first ISBHF event in this part of the world ever,’ ISBHF President George Gortsos commented. Ainiovaara Arena will host ISBHF club teams in 2021.
Johannes Pukema, SBHL President, looks forward to the event:
‘This is huge for Finnish ball hockey. We are proud to be organizing this event together with Poropojat. I can’t wait to see the best club teams playing for the Arctic Circle Cup in Finland!’
Peräpohjolan Poropojat, a well-established Finnish team and national champion from Ylitornio, will provide the necessary infrastructure: ‘We are more than excited for the opportunity to hold the Arctic Circle Cup in Ylitornio. With our new floor, we have a great rink to play in, and we will offer teams a surface ball hockey deserves to be played on. Our small city will be delighted to welcome teams from around the world, and we will make sure that we put on a show,’ Ville Väänänen promised.