The excitement is building for some 70 young players from across this land as the month of June quickly makes its way into our immediate future. A few short months ago invitations were sent to these CBHA athletes to attend the World Championships at the U-20, U-18, and U-16 age groups.

Many of them have been long time youth ball hockey players in the great programs that we have from coast to coast, and are now realizing a dream that they may never have thought possible. Competing at Provincial Championships was thrilling enough, and then Canadian Regionals and Nationals an eye opening experience for most. Years of passion for this sport are now paying off for the U-20 squad members with a trip to St John’s, NL, to compete in the 5th World Junior Championship of the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation, and a chance to reclaim gold that has eluded our nation since the inaugural 2000 event in Kralupy, Czech Republic. The Junior event is the most difficult to win because of the constant turnover of players every two years when the event takes place, and because of the parity that has developed in our sport internationally at this key pre-Senior age level. Four countries have won gold, Canada, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and most recently USA. Both Austria and Switzerland have upset the traditional leading Czechs and Slovaks at the past two European Junior Championships, which makes the 2008 WJC even more interesting and challenging.

The younger lads get a more exotic trip to Zvolen, Slovakia, for the first ever U-18 & U-16 World titles. They are in for a real treat. The Slovaks love their ball hockey and our boys will be received with open arms and much fanfare. It will be an experience they will talk about until the end of their playing days, and most likely beyond.

Both sets of hosts are magnificent, and the 2008 tournaments will be well run, highly supported by local fans, and thoroughly covered by their media. I am excited for the players!

An incredible amount of hard work is done in Canada by hundreds of volunteers in youth ball hockey programs. The culmination of your outstanding efforts will be on display in June 2008. It is a time to rejoice. It is a time for us to reflect upon what makes amateur sports great, the many people behind the scenes keeping house leagues alive. Thank you.