FARNHAM’S under-16 floorball hockey team, the Fireballs, have taken an unassailable position in the Three Counties Youth League before Christmas, even though the league does not finish until May.

It has taken the Farnham team five years to overcome the U16 teams from the Cotswolds who have dominated the youth side of the sport as a result of their thriving primary schools leagues.

Peter Goodman, Farnham’s head coach, said: “It’s a testament to the character of these young athletes that they never gave up and instead just kept asking to attend more and more training sessions, even those in Farnborough with the Southern Vipers adult team. I’m really proud of their achievement.”

The Fireballs beat the Arrows 12-3 and also wreaked havoc when they thrashed the Hornets 19-1. Even when they had one of their five outfielders sent to the sin-bin for a minor substitution error, Fireballs still managed to score.

Meanwhile, the Farnham U13 Shooting Stars team were finding it tough going in their league. They beat newcomers Meon 7-2 and arch rivals IPSE 2-0, but the greatly improved WASPS team held league champions Farnham to a 3-3 draw.

Many floorball players have been enjoying the World Cup men’s finals via their computers, with the matches being streamed daily on the Olympic Channel and YouTube.

The fact that the IOC has chosen to broadcast 33 hours of matches bodes well for the International Floorball Federation’s application to have floorball included in the 2024 olympics.

The low cost of the sport is a positive factor. Floorball can be played in almost any sports hall.

Farnham Unihockey & Floorball Club now takes a break until the new year.