Team Canada has asserted dominance since the beginning of the ISBHF, amassing an impressive 35 gold medals and finishing on the podium 64 times in total. The CBHA was founded in 1977 and has a long-established history of excellence and winning. Several Canadian coaches and players have made names for themselves across the ISBHF. However, in early 2024, turbulence rocked the core of the CBHA when the president and several board members resigned. This left the duties of the board to volunteers who stepped up to fill the roles until new members and a president could be elected. To maintain excellence and continue to grow the game, the CBHA must ensure its president is not just qualified but also passionate about the development of the sport in Canada. To better understand the CBHA’s domestic and international goals, the ISBHF interviewed the new president, Clay Birkett.
The New President
Before asking Clay about his plans and direction for the CBHA, it is essential to understand his background and what allows him to excel at this position. Clay joined the CBHA last year shortly after the resignation of the previous board members. He was asked to take the Growth and Development Director role and immediately jumped aboard to help the CBHA. He stated, “I accepted because I knew the Board needed help, and I was willing to do whatever was needed for the CBHA to be successful.” Clay’s passion and desire for the CBHA to succeed drove him to run for president.
With a tenured business background, Clay has held senior positions in Canadian, US, and international markets. As a former COO, vice president, and president of other boards in the business sector, Clay gained the experience he needed to take charge and ensure uniformity within the CBHA. Clay has been involved in both ice and ball hockey for decades. He has played, coached and managed ball hockey at the local, national and international levels, most recently being the manager for U16 Team Canada. This excellent mixture of passion, dedication and experience gave Clay the upper hand when he stepped into his new role as President of the CBHA.
The Path Forward
In 2024, the CBHA excelled internationally, claiming gold medals in the U16, U18, and Men’s Championships and a bronze medal in the Women’s division. When asked what can be done to ensure the program’s continued success, Clay emphasized the pivotal role that junior programs hold across Canada. Despite the CBHA’s international success, Clay remains steadfast in his dedication to the game’s growth at a grassroots level. The President states, “If we can accomplish this, the world stage will look after itself.” Clay has a clear vision of increasing the support and growth of ball hockey in Canada.
While the CBHA may be the governing body representing Canada at the ISBHF, the game’s growth occurs at the provincial level, where superstars and local dynasties are founded. Across a vast nation in each arena, the next generation of players is learning the basics: shooting, passing, teamwork, and the floating blue line. Clay believes this to be true. He reaffirms the CBHA’s position as a guiding entity to aid the provinces as they continue to build tradition and support for ball hockey. Clay mentions how the CBHA’s Board meets with the presidents of the provincial organizations several times a year, and one of the main topics is growth. Clay believes, “Our job as a board is to promote and support growth.” Despite the success Clay experienced in his first year on an international stage, he remains focused on the game’s growth within Canada. He told the ISBHF, “Moving forward, success is not always measured by the colour of the medal, but rather the growth of female and male junior programs in Canada.”
Clay believes that the CBHA can succeed in growing the game by addressing a few key issues. Some issues mentioned were funding, sponsorships, and recognition as a national sport. By increasing funding and sponsorships, provinces can hold more tournaments and incentives for players, media, and organizations, bringing awareness to the sport. This directly correlates with becoming a national sport in Canada. More attention from the media and fans will push the game to a higher level and eventually become a national sport.
As one of the most prominent ball hockey nations, Canada and the CBHA will play a role in developing and growing the game internationally. When asked about the CBHA’s role in developing international support for the game, Clay stated that the CBHA remains committed to the ISBHF and will support them wherever possible. However, he also took the time to re-emphasize the importance of becoming a national sport within Canada. By increasing the enrollment of young girls and boys across the provinces and building a sturdy foundation, the CBHA becomes more capable of supporting international tournaments and events.
Final Thoughts
The CBHA has entered a new era, and domestic growth and national recognition have become two of its primary goals. CBHA President Clay Birkett has the proper tools to address the challenges and issues facing the CBHA, and throughout his answers in the interview, it becomes clear he has a bottom-up approach. Under his leadership, the game’s growth will continue, leading to success at the international level. By addressing challenges such as funding, sponsorship, and national recognition, the CBHA sets the stage for a future where ball hockey thrives as a truly national sport. With a clear vision and unwavering commitment, the CBHA is positioned to inspire the next generation of Canadians while continuing to elevate Canada’s role on the international stage.
