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Hawkesbury local Jeff Ferrara has helped lead New South Wales to an historic sweep in the 2025 Australian Broomball Championships, bringing home three national titles in a sport that’s fast, fierce — and still largely flying under the radar.
Ferrara, a long-time resident of the Hawkesbury, President of Broomball Australia, and defender for the NSW Men’s Elite team, played a key role in securing the 1–0 grand final victory over the ACT in Canberra last weekend. NSW also claimed championships in the Men’s Intermediate and Women’s Intermediate divisions, marking a dominant showing for the state.
What is Broomball?
For those new to the game, Broomball is a fast-paced, full-contact ice sport that blends the tactical flow of hockey with the accessibility of indoor soccer. Played on ice but without skates, broomballers wear grip-soled shoes and use a rubber ball rather than a puck — and yes, contact and hand-passing are all part of the playbook.
NSW’s winning weekend
NSW’s Women’s Intermediate team took out its first-ever title, while the Men’s Intermediate and Men’s Elite teams extended their winning streaks to six and five years respectively. The Men’s Elite win also draws NSW level with the ACT for the most national championships in the sport’s history — 16 each since 1990.
Goals in the grand finals were scored by Victoria Hukins, Mick Pattinson, and Peter Yabsley — the latter breaking the deadlock with just four minutes left on the clock in a tense, low-scoring match.
A sport of grit and heart
The titles are especially meaningful given the challenges faced by the NSW team. After the closure of their longtime base at Penrith Ice Palace in 2022, players — including Ferrara — have been commuting to the Erina Ice Arena on the Central Coast, where training is limited to once a month.
“We’ve had to travel, adapt, and make do — but our love for the game hasn’t wavered,” Ferrara said.“Broomball has given me so much over the years — incredible mateship, fitness, competition — and now I get to see the next generation getting involved. It’s really special.”
As President of Broomball Australia, Ferrara is also focused on raising the sport’s profile. With fewer than 300 active players nationwide and many Australians still unaware of its existence, the sport is in urgent need of visibility and support.
“Even people who visit ice rinks regularly often haven’t heard of Broomball. We need to change that,” he said.
“We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the passion. Now we just need visibility.”
Get involved — no skates required
While the championships offer a taste of elite competition, local games at Erina are friendly, inclusive, and ideal for newcomers. Equipment is provided and teams are balanced to ensure a fun experience for all ages and fitness levels.
“If you can run and hold a stick, you can play,” Ferrara says. “We’ve got players from teenagers to folks in their 50s. Everyone’s welcome.”
With strong Hawkesbury representation and a national title under their belt, NSW’s Boomballers are proving that you don’t need skates to dominate on ice — just grit, teamwork, and a love for the game.
For more info:
- Visit www.broomball.au
- Watch highlights on the Broomball Australia YouTube channel
- Join the Broomball Association of Western Sydney Facebook group
- Or enquire at Erina Ice Arena about beginner sessions
