What is broomball?

Based on ice hockey, broomball requires skill, co-ordination and more than a slice of luck.

It is played on ice between two teams of four players. They wear protective gear and trainers rather than skates.

Two referees control the match and the object is to get a small ball (about five inches in diameter) into the opponent's goal - and to protect your own goal at the same time.

As with the puck in ice hockey, the ball should not touch your feet and there is

With up to 100 teams and 600 players taking part every season, it is firmly established in the City. Several major companies - such as Morgan Grenfell, Barclays and Lehman Bros - have their own teams and compete regularly.

The origins of broomball can be traced as far back as the 1890s, where tram workers in Canada played on frozen lakes during lunch breaks using brooms to strike a ball into their opponents' goal.