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OFSAA Badminton medals for locals caps off a successful local tournament

"It's a very proud moment for the city to host this event."
OFSAAbadmintonchampsmay2016
L-R: Caleb Parfitt & Cameron Yeates, Widdifield, Gold Boys Doubles 'B' and Gabriel Pharand & Nicholas Babich, Algonquin, Bronze Boys Doubles 'C'. Photo by Stu Campaigne.

Story by Stu Campaigne

Even before the conclusion of the three day event, which culminated with the respective discipline finals at the Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre Saturday, the OFSAA Badminton Tournament has been hailed by athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers, and organizers alike as nothing short of a tremendous local achievement.

Local athletes battled hard against the highest level of competition that any of them had ever faced, and represented their region with pride. The highlights included a gold medal in Boys Doubles 'B' by Widdifield duo Caleb Parfitt & Cameron Yeates, and a bronze result in Boys Doubles 'C' by Gabriel Pharand & Nicholas Babich, of Algonquin. 

The Cats duo defeated the team of Eric Wang and Calvin Cheung (CISAA) 21-19 and 21-19.  

The doubles pair of  Gabriel Pharand and Nicholas Babich won Algonquin the Bronze in the Boys Doubles 'C' event.  They beat Yule De La Cerna and Ethan Luo 21-19, 17-21, 21-14.  

Retired teacher, coach, and badminton advocate Brent Pigott described the success of the local teams as exceptional.  

“The doubles in Southern Ontario is so strong,” said Pigott. 

Guy Horth, convenor of the event, relayed that some 340 athletes, 240 coaches, plus parents and family members were in attendance over the course of the tournament. 

That represents an economic impact of nearly an additional one thousand people sleeping, eating, and shopping in North Bay.

Horth continued that he had spoken to attendees from southern areas, such as Windsor and Chatham, who had never been north of Barrie until this week, and had come away "bewildered and enchanted by our city," especially the level of hospitality.

Horth also has been receiving unsolicited "positive feedback about North Bay, Nipissing University, and Canadore College."

One goal the organizing committee felt was paramount was keeping the event virtually local, whether through catering choices, accommodations, or sponsorship. A sense of local pride always leads to a stronger event.

Hosting once is a dream come true, but the way things have been run, North Bay could enter the regular rotation of cities who can be counted on to host. While Sudbury and the Soo have each had their opportunities to host, this was North Bay's first kick at the can. 

Pigott, who helmed many strong badminton programs, opined that it was just a matter of time for North Bay, or more succinctly, that we "just didn't have the facilities previous to this."

With an eye toward a burgeoning sports tourism industry in North Bay, Horth adds that "each well-run event, regardless of sport, leads to more successful bids."

The high-level of competition witnessed by young local players, can only spur the development of local athletes

There is already chatter of a 2019 bid.  Guy Horth says he's game for another run, and added that this week's tournament, and future bids, would not be possible without the hard work of all the volunteers and organizers, notably Ryan Culhane, James Munro, and Larry Tougas.

Brent Pigott, ambassador of badminton in North Bay for so long, summed up the week perfectly: 

 "It's a very proud moment for the city to host this event."