From Cambridge to Czechia: Kale Smith’s Next Step Between the Pipes

This season marks a major step forward for Canadian goalie Kale Smith, who has made the move from Cambridge FCto Gorily Plzeň in Czechia. For Smith, the decision to head overseas was rooted in one simple goal: growth.

“I just felt like I wanted to improve,” Smith explained. “Having already experienced Czech floorball through the Czech Open, I felt like it would be the easiest to transition into.”

That familiarity with the Czech floorball environment helped make the jump feel achievable, but the opportunity itself came through strong connections within the community. Smith credits Jakub Švejkovský and the Future Floorball Stars program for helping make the move possible.

“The opportunity really just came through knowing people and the help of Jakub Švejkovský,” he said. “His Future Floorball Stars program is what really got me this opportunity, so I’m really thankful.”

Since arriving in Czechia, Smith has quickly noticed stylistic differences compared to the Canadian game. While shot selection hasn’t changed drastically, the way teams build scoring chances has.

“I haven’t noticed too big of a difference in the shot selection, but definitely a difference in style,” Smith said. “Here in Czech they’re much more likely to hold the ball and wait for a perfect opportunity to shoot, whereas in Canada we tend to try shooting more from less-than-perfect spots.”

That patience on offense contributes to a faster, more demanding game overall. Smith says the level of competition is high across the board—even in training. “The pace and level of competition here is quite high,” he said. “Even training is very competitive, and the pace is very good. They’re very skilled over here.”

For a goalie, those small differences add up quickly. Smith notes that one of the biggest challenges has been learning how to read the game at this level. “The hardest part for me has probably been reading the game,” he explained. “I’ve had to put a lot of effort into figuring out when it’s correct to be aggressive or passive. One wrong decision and it’s in the net—haha.”

Off the floor, the transition to life in Czechia came with its own nerves, but Smith says the support from his new club made all the difference. “The transition was scary at first, but my teammates and coaches have really helped me feel comfortable and confident where I am,” he said. “I was included in everything off the court from the first day I landed.”

Having some previous exposure to Czech language and culture also helped smooth the adjustment, allowing Smith to focus on his game and enjoy the experience. “It’s definitely helped me to just be confident and comfortable playing,” he added. “Overall, this has been an amazing experience.”

As his first season with Gorily Plzeň continues, Kale Smith’s journey highlights what’s possible when preparation, opportunity, and support come together—both on and off the floor.