The 2nd Annual YMCA Strong Kids Road Hockey Tournament scored big this year, nearly doubling its fundraising target.
“This year we’ll have raised somewhere around $18,000, and it’s going to send about a hundred kids to camp that normally wouldn’t go. Our target goal was around $10,000. Next year we’re hoping to raise between $25,000-$30,000,” said Dan Selin.
The tournament chair credited corporate sponsors for helping organizers surpass their goal.
“We have some major corporate support here in North Bay and it’s growing. Just look along the lakeside of the park here and look at all the sponsors. You know, $300 to $3,000 it’s unbelievable. Thank you North Bay. ”
Earlier in the week, area schools sent enough students to form 41 teams. The format is always three on three with no goalies, and they use pond hockey nets.
The youngsters enjoyed a day of physical activity and learned a little something about team building and sportsmanship in the process.
“The turnout for Elementary Day was amazing. We were completely full. We turned away lots of schools. Community Day is still growing and so we’re going to focus on community day next year. There are remedies to fix that. We know the product sells, and it’s for a worthy cause,” said Selin.
Nicole Beattie is the vice-president of health, fitness and aquatics and camping services for the YMCA’s across North Eastern Ontario.
“The money raised from the event will help ensure that the ‘Y’ can continue to send kids to camp, and get swim lessons and assisted memberships at the ‘Y’. One in four of all of our kids and families are assisted in North Bay, and so raising these funds ensures the ‘Y’ will never have to turn anyone away due to financial circumstances," said Beattie.
Beattie says the day is also about community building.
“It’s about teaching kids that an active, healthy lifestyle is the best lifestyle and that’s part of our mission to build a healthy community.”
“We’re seeing in North Bay right now there is a growing need. We’re seeing that more families are finding it a little bit more tight to do the extracurricular activities, and we want to make sure we’re always accessible for families.”
Eleven-year-old Noah Dugas is back for the second year.
“It’s fun because in the off-season we’re not with the team as much, but this brings the team back together so we can just have fun playing ball hockey.”
Mom Jody Dugas has both her son and her daughter playing.
“This is our second year playing. They have a lot of fun. They love hockey, so coming outside and playing with their friends is a little bit different kind of hockey. They do enjoy coming out, and we like supporting the ‘Y’.
She admits it’s a lot less stressful than watching them compete on the ice.
“I’m a lot more chill here just watching and enjoying seeing them have a lot of fun playing,” laughed Dugas.
