PBHA: From Canada, For Portugal
The newest episode of the LusoCanada Podcast introduces viewers and listeners to the Portuguese Ball Hockey Association (PBHA), a Toronto-based non-profit organization carrying the Portuguese crest onto the international ball hockey stage.
In conversation with Danny Rocha, President of the PBHA, and David Silva, Vice-President of Operations, the episode explores the story of an organization first founded in 2004, later revived in 2023, and now working to build a stronger, more professional, and more ambitious future for Portugal in the sport of ball hockey.
Ball hockey may have started for many Canadian kids on neighbourhood streets, with sticks, nets, and a ball, but it has grown into an international sport with world championships, national programs, and a passionate global community. For the PBHA, the mission is clear: represent Portugal with pride, compete internationally, grow the sport among Portuguese communities, and eventually help bring ball hockey to Portugal itself.
Today, the PBHA fields national teams in three divisions: Men’s Open, Masters, and Legends. Its players come largely from Canada and the United States, but the program is increasingly attracting interest from Portuguese-descendant athletes in Europe and beyond. The organization is also looking toward the future, with plans for youth development, learn-to-play programs, and eventually junior teams that can represent Portugal on the world stage.
The interview also reveals the emotional side of the program: players born or raised in Canada standing on the blue line, listening to the Portuguese national anthem, and feeling that they are representing not only themselves, but their parents, grandparents, and the country that shaped their identity.
Read the full LusoCanada profile of the Portuguese Ball Hockey Association and listen to the podcast episode to learn more about the people, history, challenges, and dreams behind Team Portugal Ball Hockey.
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About The Author
Paulo Pereira
Paulo Pereira has worked in community media for over 20 years. He started as a reporter for Sol Portugues. Later, he became Editor of Team Desportivo, Director of Flash News, Director of Jornal da Aliança, Director of Luso-Ontario Magazine, and Editor at Correio da Manha Canada's newspaper. Paulo Pereira is also a co-founder of Associacao Migrante de Barcelos where he volunteered for many years as Secretary and Sporting Director. He also volunteered for Casa do Benfica de Toronto for close to a decade as member of the Board in roles such as Public Relations Director and Vice-President for Sports and Culture. Currently, he is the President of Project First Nations, a not-for-profit organization. In November of 2023, he was elected as a member of the Portuguese Community Council, representing the District of Toronto, which includes Ontario, Manitoba and Nunavut. In 2025, he received the King Charles III Coronation Medal from Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Arif Virani.