Heads up: The broomball title is up for grabs this Saturday, on the ice.

What’s broomball, you ask?

Similar to ice hockey but minus the skates, broomball is played with a ball instead of a puck, and with “brooms” instead of hockey sticks. 

Two-time broomball champion the Garner Police Department will defend the Guns & Hoses title against challengers from other public safety agencies and local schools, in this third-annual match to benefit PAAL, the Garner Police Athletics & Activities League.

PAAL works to boost youth achievement while improving police-community relationships and reducing delinquency, and teaches life skills such as accountability, teamwork and decision making.

 “Yes, we fight crime, but we’re also the community’s police department,” said Garner Police Chief Brandon Zuidema. “The vision of PAAL is to reach kids not just one time, but to stay with them long term. We want to continue to be an influence and be a part of their lives.”

“Peer pressure can get the best of our youth; we offer positive peer pressure,” said Sgt. Mike McIver, program director for the PAAL program, which kicked off in October 2010 as Wake County’s first PAAL program. “This is something we really believe in.”

Guns & Hoses will be held at Polar Ice House, 103 New Rand Road in Garner, beginning at noon. Teams will compete toward a championship game at 7:30 p.m. The event also features a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle.

Tickets for Guns & Hoses are $10 for adults and $5 for children, with all proceeds going to Garner PAAL.

Tickets are available at the Garner Police Department, 900 Seventh Ave., at garnerpaal.org or at the door.

Guns & Hoses coincides with the free Public Safety Day, featuring displays by the Garner Fire Department, police department and Wake County EMS, in the Ice House parking lot. Also on hand will be food, a bounce house, games and educational materials.