The Poruba Club Is Also Looking Forward to the World Championship! I Believe It Will Inspire Young People and Help Us Grow, Says Chairman David Rechtoris

I believe people will attend the tournament out of curiosity alone

Mr. Chairman, the ball hockey world championship will be held for the first time in history in Moravia and Silesia. What was your first reaction when you learned that Ostrava would host the world’s best ball hockey players?

I have to say the feeling was definitely positive. Ostrava finally gets its moment. Back then, it was still just a distant vision, but now it’s becoming clearer every day. At this point, we can say it’s practically around the corner, and I’m extremely happy that we can be a part of it.

Ostrava is a city with a strong sporting tradition—hockey, football, athletics. Now world-class ball hockey is joining that list. Do you believe it can attract people who know little or nothing about the sport?

I think this is the perfect opportunity to show the public what ball hockey is all about. Many people will hear about the sport for the first time, and I believe they’ll visit the tournament simply out of curiosity. And I also believe that all national teams will showcase their best so the audience can enjoy a great experience.

Your ball hockey club was founded back in the 1992/1993 season. How would you describe the current situation in Poruba—how many children and adults are involved in ball hockey, and how does the club function within the Ostrava community?

At the moment, we have a men’s team playing in the 2nd League, as well as youth categories such as the mini division and younger pupils. It is a constant “battle” for children. There are many clubs and extracurricular activities in Ostrava—ice hockey, football, floorball being the most visible. Children come and unfortunately also leave. Keeping them, and especially having enough of them, is our main long-term goal. Covid, even though it feels like a long time ago, hit us hard, and after the pandemic we basically had to rebuild the youth categories from scratch.

I believe interest in ball hockey will rise

Ostrava currently has no Extraliga or 1st League team, only the third-highest competition. How big an opportunity do you think the World Championship represents for the development of ball hockey in the Moravian-Silesian region—and for your club in particular?

As I mentioned, many people will hear about ball hockey for the first time or attend matches for the first time. I believe interest in ball hockey will increase, ideally supported by success from our national team. Local clubs will also be promoted during the championship, so we’ll be seen and heard, and hopefully by the autumn we’ll be able to open more youth categories.

Local clubs are also getting involved in preparing for the championship. Do you already have specific plans for how Poruba can participate? How would you like your club to be remembered as part of the championship story?

Preparations are in full swing and we’re in contact with the organizers. Some of our members will help as volunteers. During the tournament, a special game day will be dedicated to local clubs for presentations. Before the championship, school tournaments will be held on our rink, which will also help promote the event. We are also ready to provide our rink for team practices. And like everyone else, we hope the championship will be a success for the national teams, the organizing committee, and for promoting local clubs. As for us, we hope that when children choose a sport, they choose ours.

The World Championship is a unique opportunity for Ostrava and for your club. What does it personally mean to you—is it the culmination of long-term efforts, motivation for further development, or rather the beginning of a new chapter for ball hockey in Ostrava?

I’ve only been chairman for a short time. Before that, I was an active parent, then a coach, and now chairman. With that progression, my perspective on how the club functions has changed. From our point of view, hosting the World Championship in Ostrava is a unique opportunity to present our club, and it is certainly a motivation for the future. Of course, we build on the long-term work of our predecessors—without them, we wouldn’t be here. I will repeat myself, but I truly believe the championship will inspire young people and help us grow.