The modern game of broomball is believed to originate in Saskatchewan around 1900. Like hockey, broomball is played on ice but, as the name suggests, the game utilizes broom shaped sticks and a ball instead of a puck. Perhaps the most significant distinction from hockey is that broomball players wear shoes instead of skates. The shoe’s spongy soles provide a surprising degree of traction on the ice and the plastic guards on the sides of the shoes provide protection and ankle support. While not as widely known as its winter counterparts hockey and curling, broomball continues to grow in popularity. The Canadian Broomball Federation is already a member of The Canadian Olympic Committee and the game is now seeking official Olympic status.