Members of Eastern Thunder are seen at the canteen located at the Post Planting Party, hosted by the Stormont-Glengarry Junior Farmers and held on June 6 at the Avonmore Fairgrounds. Thompson Goddard Photo

NORTH STORMONT – Eastern Thunder, the Under 20 girl’s broomball team, and Eastern Warriors, Under 20 boy’s broomball team, are pleased to be hosts of the 2026 U20 Broomball Nationals, scheduled to be held at Carleton University between March 25 and 28 2026.

“It will be an exciting experience to showcase one of the nation’s six heritage sports in Canada’s capital” said Eastern Thunder Manager Amy Sanders-Michaud.

She explained Eastern Thunder began in 2000 and competes in a Thursday night competitive ladies league in Chesterville. Amy continued how Eastern Thunder have been national champions in the past and “more recently have been National Silver Medallists in 2023 in Saskatchewan and 2024 in Manitoba.” The Under 20 boy’s team, Eastern Warriors, began in 2015 and compete in two competitive men’s league. These are held in Russell on Monday nights and on Sunday mornings in Maxville. The Warriors travelled to the 2025 Nationals in Val d-Or in Quebec, winning the B side gold medal. These two teams practice in the North Stormont arena located in Finch, with players between the ages of 13 to 19 from all over Eastern Ontario.

Hosting a national event such as this is expensive, with Sanders-Michaud mentioning how “A dedicated group of team, staff and parents have formed the committee to organize the event. She explained both Eastern Thunder and Eastern Warriors have both hosted national championships out of Cornwall in the past and this experience will certainly be useful in planning the 2026 championship tournament. Sanders-Michaud mentioned how the organization expects the costs associated with this event will range between $60,000 and $80,000, noting items such as awards, ice rental, hotel accommodation and the costs associated with the banquet are factors to consider.

There will be 20 teams from the girl’s and boy’s divisions. 450 to 500 players and their coaches and family members are expected to attend. There will be teams coming from Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and possibly Newfoundland as well as teams representing the Canadian Armed Forces and Indigenous peoples.

There are many fundraising activities which have been underway in the community, including “volunteering at local fairs and sporting events” and “a fundraising breakfast and spaghetti supper at the Finch Youth Broomball Tournament in January 2026. There is the opportunity to purchase “ad space in our tournament program booklet and we are hopeful we can secure some local businesses as event sponsors.”

“If any local business wishes to support our fundraising effort or if any broomball enthusiasts wish to volunteer their time please reach out to our committee by email at u20nats2026@gmail.com” said Amy.

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