Published Apr 10, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 2 minute readThe Hants Bruins and Team Saskatchewan had a competitive bout April 9 during round robin play on Day 2 of the 2025 Canadian Senior and Mixed Broomball Nationals. The teams remained knotted 1-1 at the conclusion of an overtime period. The competition saw 32 teams, in four divisions, play over five days in both Windsor and Brooklyn. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillAlmost 700 athletes, coaches and team representatives from across the country have converged on West Hants to compete for broomball national titles.Darrell Lyttle, the chairperson of the 2025 Canadian Senior and Mixed Broomball Nationals, said it was no small feat to pull off – with more than 100 volunteers taking part – but he’s happy with the result so far.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“It’s a huge event to organize but it has a huge impact on our community,” Lyttle said on Day 2 of the five-day tournament. The hometown Hants Bruins took on the Bruno Axemen from Saskatchewan during an April 9 broomball bout in Windsor. The Bruins lost 4-0. Pictured moving the ball up the ice for the Bruins is Tim Wellwood. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillThe nationals are being held April 8-12 at arenas in Windsor and Brooklyn and feature 32 teams competing in four divisions: men’s, women’s, master men’s and mixed.There are three Nova Scotian teams competing. The Hants Bruins, from West Hants, had both a men’s and women’s team in the tournament, and the Berwick area is represented by the Frasers Pro Building Centre master men’s team.“Broomball here in West Hants was a hotbed for years and years,” Lyttle said. “We were the broomball hub of Nova Scotia for sure. We’ve had teams here represented at the national senior men’s level 21 times. So (hosting) this means a lot.” Melissa Burbidge, 66, helps the Hants Bruins maintain possession of the ball during an intense women’s match between the hometown team and Saskatchewan April 9. Also pictured is Saskatchewan’s Carlee Huber, 11, centre, and the Bruins’ Renee Sanford, 8. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillRecommended from Editorial Broomball nationals coming to West Hants, N.S., in April 2025 National broomball championships to bring economic spinoffs to West Hants, N.S. The majority of competitors come from Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.Article contentLyttle said broomball is fast-paced and competitive – something that’s exciting to watch and is quite popular elsewhere in the country.“In Quebec and Ontario, broomball is a religion. It’s as big as hockey in Quebec. There are communities that have over 100 teams… so that’s how big it is,” Lyttle said. There were eight teams competing in the mixed division at the 2025 Canadian Senior and Mixed Broomball Nationals in Windsor. Pictured in action April 9 are Ontario’s Clearview Brewers (in blue) and the defending champions, Broom-Shak. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill“When you hear broomball, you (sometimes) think of these carnivals where you go on the ice with a broom and play with a ball. It’s not that at all. It’s super competitive and it’s really high skilled.”West Hants Mayor Abraham Zebian seconded that when speaking at the committee of the whole meeting April 8. He encouraged residents to stop by the sports complex to catch the action.“Get some games in. It’s fun competition and they’re great people.” Michelle DeRepentigny, of the Rebels, looks to take a shot on the Quebec Dynamite during national broomball action April 9. Pictured for Quebec, from left, are Amélie Marquette, 2, goalie Catherine Labbé, who blocked all 18 shots on net during the game, and Amelie Couture, 11. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill The Quebec Dynamite defeated the defending champions, the Rebels, 1-0 during Day 2 of national broomball action in Windsor April 9. Pictured are forward Émilie Santerre, 4, right, and Trisha Lacombe, 6. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillThe West Hants committee started planning for the broomball championships about a year ago. Lyttle said it’s been a community effort to be successful hosts.“In every rink every day, we have to have well over 12 or 13 volunteers every hour. So there’s 111 games that’s being played over five days – it’s just a lot of volunteers,” Lyttle said.The highlight for him has been the response from the broomball community, with people from across Canada telling them how great the facilities are to use.“We’re getting lots of praise and good results from it, so we’re really happy to be able to do it.”Broomball Canada is livestreaming the games on YouTube. Click here for a full schedule of games. The Hants Bruins women’s team took on Team Saskatchewan during an evening bout April 9. This competitive broomball game ended tied 1-1. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill Members of Saskatchewan’s Bruno Axemen and Nova Scotia’s Hants Bruins collided in front of the net, taking out Bruins’ goalie Steve Taylor, during broomball action April 9. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill Hants Bruins’ player Laura Lake, 5, wasn’t about to let Saskatchewan’s Stephanie Hessels, 25, take control of the ball. The teams were competing in the national broomball tournament in Windsor. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill The Hants Bruins and Bruno Axemen held nothing back when they went head-to-head on the ice on April 9. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill Ontario’s Clearview Brewers (in blue) took on the defending champions, Broom-Shak, during tournament play April 9. Broom-Shak won the evening game 2-0. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill It was a hard-fought match between the Rebels and Dynamite April 9, with the Dynamite winning the broomball bout 1-0. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content
West Hants hosting 32 broomball teams as athletes compete for national glory
