USA Ball Hockey Unanimously Voted Official Member Status with ISBHF
International Street and Ball Hockey Federation Votes Unanimously Granting USA Ball Hockey Official Member Status
BOSTON — USA Ball Hockey (USABH) is honored and excited to announce that we have been granted full member status with the International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF), the official worldwide governing body of the sport. USABH will now have full authority to develop teams and send them to ISBHF World Championships for all divisions – Mens, Womens, Juniors, and Masters. The vote took place last night on an ISBHF conference call, with the resulting vote being unanimous among the member countries to have USA Ball Hockey join the ISBHF family of nations.
“This is an honor and a privilege.” said USABH President Chris Banks. “We are ecstatic to be able to join the ISBHF family with official member status. I offer my sincerest thanks to all the USABH staff, volunteers, and their families that supported them as they dedicated numerous hours and overcame substantial challenges to help drive the organization towards this outcome. Becoming an official member of the ISBHF has been the goal of this organization since USABH first formed. We look forward to providing the United States with teams that will compete for Gold Medals at all future ISBHF World Championships.”
The ISBHF has been monitoring the progress of USABH and how the USABH leadership team has been developing the National Programs. They also took a keen eye towards the work USABH has done in growing the sport by sponsoring clinics, holding camps, focusing on and teaching the youth of the sport, and even having players appear on NHL Network to help promote this great sport of Ball Hockey. ISBHF President George Gortsos was more than satisfied with what the ISBHF board saw presented by USABH.
“The ISBHF is proud to formally welcome USA Ball Hockey to the ISBHF Family. We all believe that USA Ball Hockey will work hard to bring the USA family together within that great hockey nation, and quickly become a leading National organization in our sport. The ISBHF would like to wish all USA Ball Hockey players, referees, coaches, support staff, family, and executives a great future in the years ahead. We look forward to this partnership having them in the ISBHF family as we all work together as one sport to reach the Olympic elevator.”
USABH Director of Media and Marketing Chris Bokuniewicz added “Having worked with Chris Banks for over 6 years, I knew that he was passionate about getting USABH to the world stage. When he approached me to help USABH in their mission, I had no hesitations about joining. This vote simply confirms what I had felt then and feel now, that USABH has the right leadership in place which will lead this organization to a Gold Medal in a future ISBHF World Championship while continuing to grow the game here in America. I’m honored to be a part of it, and I look forward to working with the ISBHF from the Media & Marketing side to help continue advancing this incredible sport towards the future with an eye on the Olympics. USABH has world class talent in the right positions, both on and off the rink, and I fully expect us to be competitive at every future World Championship.
USABH Vice President Tom Ruiz added “We’re very proud that the ISBHF saw how committed we are to the sport, and that we have spent many hours preparing for this vote with the goal of joining the ISBHF. I couldn’t be happier, and I know the team is excited to get to work. This is a very proud day for all of us at USA Ball Hockey, and it wouldn’t have been possible without everyone here at USABH coming together to make this outcome a reality.”
The next ISBHF World Championship is scheduled for 2020, with both Juniors and Masters Championship tournaments taking place in Europe.
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USABH is the premier ball hockey organization in the United States, possessing a comprehensive reach nationally at all levels of play thanks to strategic alliances with key organizations. We are focused on growing the game, from beginner youth levels through international competition. USABH facilitates United States National teams for all official Divisions – Juniors, Mens, Womens and Masters.
Media inquiries: Please contact Marketing and Media Director Chris Bokuniewicz at cbokuniewicz@usaballhockey.com
