The Snowball Floorball Podcast: Recent Episodes
Karl Simpson
Canadian Floorball Podcast.
The Snowball will dive into the people who make Floorball in Canada what it is! Join us as we learn more about the people who help make Floorball so amazing to be apart of.
TRIGGER WARNING: This Episode Discusses Suicide and Self Harm. Listener Discretion is advised.
On this episode of the Snowball we start off Season Two with our first group episode ever! Our guests this week are 5 members of the Perth Parrots from Scotland in the UK! The Perth Parrots are the first (we believe world wide) LGBTQIA+ focused Floorball club. We were lucky to be joined by Frazer, Dougie, Kirsty, Marysia, and Rhuaraidh. Our first "roundtable" discussion, we had a grand old time discussing not only Floorball, and how new to the sport many of the their players are, but also about the sports world at large of the lack of representation and safe spaces for people of the LGTBQIA+ community. We also spend a large part of the episode talking about the challenges facing a new club in a small Floorball country and how they've managed to overcome one of the major obstacles to all clubs (funding) through their social outings, which always seem like an absolute blast when we see their posts online. We ended on a feel good team bonding story. If you want to learn more about the Perth Parrots, though we go pretty deep in this episode, you can reach out via email, or through theirs social media platforms which can be found below:
Email: perthparrots@gmail.com
Instagram: @perhparrots
Twitter: @perthparrots
On Episode 15 of the Snowball Podcast we chat with Matt Nielsen, whom after the taping of this episode signed to the Fresno Force of the NAFL. He was also selected to Team USA, but unfortunately could not make the journey to Helsinki due to work obligations. But either way we had an absolute blast chatting with Matt about his incredibly young Floorball journey! Matt shares how he got into the sport as fan, and made the transition to the National team, basically in a year. We also talk about the future of Floorball here in North America and what we are looking forward to in the future of the sport on this side of the Atlantic as well. Matt was also kind enough to share one of the best "Floorball stories" that we've had yet, but you'll have to listen all the way to the end to hear that. For more information on how to contact Matt or any of our Sponsors, you can find that information below:
Instagram: @mattnielsen89 Fresno Force Instagram: @fresnoforce Website: www.forcefloorball.com
On this episode of the Snowball, we travel "across the pond" to the United Kingdom to speak with the President of the University of Nottingham Floorball Club Matty. Matty and I dive right in to how he got into the sport of Floorball, during the middle of the Pandemic no less, and what the Floorball scene looks like on a University campus in England, amongst other things. For more information or to contact Matty or the club, you can contact them via Instagram - @uon.floorball
On lucky episode number 13, we talk to Canada Cup legend Janul Sanil! From how he got started with the sport in high school, to his championships with the Rexdale Lions, we talk with Janul about anything Floorball. We spend a good portion of the chat discussing goaltending in the sport and how maybe that making some changes to the position is how Floorball can improve and bring in more fans and players a like.
Episode 12 of The Snowball features one of our favourite people to chat with in the Floorball community, cause he tells it like it is - Greg Conway! Conway shares with us how he got into Floorball and how that lead him to coaching at the National level. We also spend a serious amount of time discussing the success of the Women's U19 WFC in Belleville that he helped put on. And then we talk about directions of all things! Thanks again to Greg for coming on!
Episode 11 features our second American guest - Jesse Mattson. Jesse is the writer and producer of an in-production Indie documentary "The Hyenas' Floorball Documentary". The doc will follow a team of US Floorball players as they travel to Sweden to participate in of the largest Floorball tournaments in the world. Jesse and I chat about this project and how it lead to him starting one of the largest content producing Floorball Instagrams out there. Jesse also breaks down the American Floorball scene for our listeners. As usual on the Snowball there are lots of laughs and many stories shared. To learn more about Jesse and his documentary you can find him on Instagram through the handle below:
Instagram: @thehyenasdocumentary
Episode 10 of the Snowball brings us our most high profile guest yet, the President of FC himself - Randy Sa'd. Randy and I talk about how he helped get things started for Floorball here in Canada back in 2003 (we also try to not focus on how long ago that was), as well as his playing days on the international stage. We also discuss some of the ideas that are out there on how to grow the sport of Floorball internationally, as well as some of the barriers that the sport has faced both here and abroad. All in all it's another fun conversation about Floorball which is the whole point! To learn more about Floorball Canada or to reach out to them in regards of the any of the topics that have been discussed here on the Snowball you can email them using the information below.
Floorball Canada Social: @floorballcanada
Floorball Canada Website: www.floorballcanada.org
Floorball Canada Email: info@floorballcanada.org
On Episode 9 of the Snowball we return to our regular schedule programming with TWO special guests - Tristand and Taylor Walsh. The Walsh Brothers have been with the National Program since their U19 days and they are also currently playing for the Ontario Stormtroopers of the FLC. We spend most of our time slinging what we consider to be some pretty constructive ideas and conversations about the sport of Floorball, so if there's any federations out there listening to us today might be a good day to take some notes. But all jokes aside we had an absolute blast catching up with these two and talking about their Floorball journey, which started at a much younger age than many may realize. The boys do also share how their experiences abroad played a major role in them pursuing Floorball to the extent that they have. Should you have any questions about how they went about accomplishing these things you can reach out to them via Instagram (contact info below). Tristan: @tristan_walsh Taylor: @taylswalsh Fresno Force: @fresnoforcefloorball Fresno Force Website: www.forcefloorball.com
Episode 8 is coming at you a week early due to the fact that we have "Big Stu" on. With his son Lil Stu being our guest last week, we thought it fitting to have Big Stu's episode air the week after so that more listeners could listen to the two episodes one after other! But besides being Lil' Stu's Dad, Stuart is also the GM of the Men's U19 Program and as he explains during the episode, he will so be taking full responsibility of the Men's Program as well. Stu is also a stalwart member of the Ottawa Blizzard Floorball Club's Dad's Team! During out chat we dive into the thick of the "political" side of Floorball discussing everything from the viability of the sport in the future to Floorball getting into the Olympics and even a little bit of anti-doping. We also discuss Big Stu's first FLC goal as well as some of his favourite Floorball memories. To reach out to Stu in regards to either of the Men's programs you can email him through his email below, or once again you can reach out to Floorball Canada (that information is also below). Thanks again for listening!
Stu's Email: stuart.bowden@floorballcanada.org
Floorball Canada Website: www.floorballcanada.org
Floorball Canada Social Media: @floorballcanada
Ottawa Blizzard FC Social Media: @ottawablizzardfloorball
Episode 7 of The Snowball features our first Ottawa Blizzard FC player Stu "Lil' Stu" Bowden. Lil Stu is also a current member of the Men's U19 National Program. (Note: at the time of this recording the U19 Programs had yet to decide if they were to attend this years WFC, unfortunately the decision was made to NOT attend due to the current COVID-19 situation.) Stu shares with us how he got into the sport at a young age through a famous NHLer and his start with the Blizzard. We spend most of the rest of the episode talking about how Stu has experienced some of the quintessential Canadian Floorball moments and events. From Canada Cup at York University all the way to Halifax for the Men's U19s Stu has done a lot in the Floorball scene here in Canada and it was a blast having him share those memories with us on this episode. For more information about Stu's home club or the National U19 Program, please check out the information below!
Floorball Canada Website: www.floorballcanada.org
Floorball Canada Social Media: @floorballcanada
Ottawa Blizzard FC Website: www.ottawablizzard.com
Ottawa Blizzard Social Media: @ottawablizzardfloorball
Episode 6 of The Snowball brings you everyone's favourite bubble boy Mytch Brush! Mytch is a current FLC player with Cambridge FC (we talk to his older brother and teammate Tyler in Episode 4), as well as with the Men's National Program. He is also involved with the Women's National Program as an Assistant Coach. Mytch and I talk about his start in Floorball and who's the better looking brother as well as sharing some reasons as why we both love being involved in the sport so much. We also get into some constructive conversations about the future of the sport and some of the changes we would make if we were in charge. If you would like to get in touch with Mytch in regards to the Women's program or just to talk Floorball in general (he is after all the man behind Floorball Canada's social media), you can reach out to him via the following ways:
Instagram (Personal): @mytch_brush
Instagram (FC): @floorballcanada or @canadianwomenfloorball
And to learn more about his local league you can visit www.cambridgefloorball.com
On Episode 5 of the Snowball Podcast we welcome Sonja Hotke to the show! Sonja is a current (and one of the longest standing) members of the Women's Canadian National Team, as well as the Director of Women's High Performance for Floorball Canada. Sonja and I talk about how she ended up playing for Team Canada, and now being a major player in the development of the sport of Floorball on the Women's side. We also spend a good amount of time remembering a lot of our favourite Floorball moments, including working for FloorballPro together! Should you wish to get in touch with Sonja regarding the Women's program you can reach out to her via the links below:
Email: sonja.hotke@floorballcanada.org
Instagram: @hotkesonja & @canadianwomensfloorball
Today's episode features our first duo, Josh and Tyler of 519 Floorball and Cambridge FC of the Floorball League of Canada. We talk to them about how they started what is now one of Canada's largest Floorball programs, their equipment brand and several fun stories about their international and local traveling. There's even a story about a dentist, a chiropractor and a walk on the wild side, so be sure to listen in to learn more. For more information about 519 and CFC you can find them through the links and emails below:
Website (519): www.519floorball.com
Website (CFC): www.cambridgefloorball.com
Email: tylerbrush@519floorball.com
Instagram: @519Floorball & @cambridgefloorball
On the third episode of the Snowball Podcast, we speak with Anthony MacNeil of Premier Sports Leagues (formally Premier Floorball) and Chair of the Men's U19 WFC in Halifax in 2019. Anthony and I talk about how he got into the sport, his love for business and how he combined the two into a Floorball Franchise business. We also reminisce about the Men's U19 that he was instrumental in making happen and that I was lucky enough to attend.
To learn more about Anthony and Premier Sports Leagues you can reach out to him or find him on social (below):
Social Media: @premiersportsleagues & @premierfloorball
Email: anthony@playpremiersports.com
Website: www.playpremiersports.com
On the second episode of the Snowball Podcast we speak with the Floorball Guru himself David Crawford. We talk about many things, including Floorball in the Olympics as well as what Dave sees as the future of Floorball in North America.
For more information about Dave and Floorball Guru you can find him through any of the platforms below:
Social Media: @floorballguru
Email: david@floorballguru.com
Website: www.floorballguru.com
Store: www.floorballguru.store
Our premier episode we give a little background on our host Karl Simpson and we talk about what the Snowball Podcast is about and what comes next.
You can find us on Instagram @snowballpodcast or send us an email at snowball@ibkevents.com
You can also find more information about our Sponsors below:
IBK Events & Konsulting - On Instagram and Facebook: @ibkevents.com or you can email info@ibkevents.com
FreeHit Floorball Clothing - freehitfloorballclothing.square.site or on Instagram - @freehit_fbc
https://youtu.be/ILIeoAJOOuA