Ball hockey has been played in various parts of the world first as a street sport with no rules to follow, no coaches, no ref’s and no end to the game, other than darkness setting in.

Now it has become much more than a street game with Canada currently having two governing bodies all vying for supremacy, still to be determined.

Personally I was involved with BC Ball Hockey for years as an executive member filling the role of Ref-in-Chief as well as working with the Women’s Ball Hockey League in the lower mainland mainly due to the “Politics.”

It hits all sports and it’s sad to mention it wasn’t what you did, but rather who liked you and I for one don’t play “Politics,” – never have and never will

Don’t get me wrong as there were lots of great individuals working to “grow” the sport, but not everyone as some were more involved in making a name for themselves than grow the sport, but such is life!

The Women’s side had numerous talented players playing on various teams that at times could “show-up” some of the guy’s playing the game, which they never liked to be reminded about.

One player that played in the Women’s side of the game was Silvia Traversa was one of the most sincere and dedicated to have ever played the game and worn the National Team Canada jersey.

She along with Linda Milani is one of BC’s most notable ball hockey players, raised in Vancouver.

Along with her team she is an annual fixture with British Columbia’s entry at the CBHA nationals.

She first played ball hockey with the Calgary Kaos (2003)  and also played for the Calgary Oval X-Treme ice hockey team at the Esso Women’s Nationals.

She would also capture CBC’s 3-on-3 Play On! Street Hockey National Championship with the BC Hawks in 2011.

Undoubtedly, 2017 was no different, as it allowed Traversa the opportunity to reach another prestigious peak.

As the ISBHF Worlds were held less than a month before Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations, there was a strong feeling of national pride for Traversa.

Having already experienced the thrill of multiple world championships as a member of Canada’s contingent, which began in 2009 with the first gold medal of her career, the chance to wear the Maple Leaf for another time in what has proven to be a defining decade for the game was of great importance.

Running parallel to such an important time in Canadian history, while emphasizing the importance of women’s sport on a national scale, it was a proud career highlight,

“It was truly an honour getting another opportunity to represent my country especially during its 150th Birthday.  This was my fifth time wear the maple leaf and each time it’s so special because there are so many memories from each team it’s truly incredible.”

Deserving of the moniker “living legend”, Silvia Traversa is one of the most dedicated players to have worn the Team Canada jersey.

With the 2017 edition of the ISBHF Worlds representing her fifth appearance for Canada, it was an extension of a sensational legacy.

One of British Columbia’s more influential ball hockey players, to have played the game went on to showcase her talents in Pardubice, Czech Republic who helped the Whalers (her club team) win the Provincial ball hockey championship, thereby managing to qualify yet again for the CBHA Nationals.

In addition to the championship she was named as the tournament’s MVP and Top Scorer awards that help her when it comes to putting Canada on the World stage for Women’s Ball Hockey.

She began playing Women’s ball hockey in 2003 with the Calgary Kaos also playing for the Calgary Oval X-Treme ice hockey team at the Esso Women’s Nationals.

She also managed to capture the 2011 Play On event Street Hockey National Championship promoted by CBC winning with her local team the BC Hawks.

She was fortunate enough to have experience winning multiple world championships as a member of Canada’s team that started in 2009 giving her the first Gold medal of her long career.

She mentioned “It was truly an honour getting another opportunity to represent my country especially during it’s 150th Birthday and since this was my fifth time to wear the maple leaf and each time it’s so special because there are so many memories from each team it’s truly incredible.”

Canada however suffered a 3-2 loss to the US in the semi-finals, but the Bronze game proved to be the most important in her career with Team Canada.

The win was nice, but her emotions were not with the game, even tho Canada hammered Slovakia by a 5-0 score.

It was the sudden news of the untimely passing of her father and it might have just been a coincidence that her Father was watching her from above.

Getting the assist on Kurio’s goal was great, but later I found out that my Father had passed away the day prior and I never got a chance to enjoy the memories from the tournament after I came home.”  

She’s a remarkable player whom I deeply respect as both a player and individual!

The World needs more like her!!!