BONNYVILLE - Locals will be lacing up their skates for a cause as KidSport Bonnyville hosts their second annual outdoor hockey tournament.
The local non-profit is hoping to fill all eight slots available for teams interested in the Jan. 25 fundraiser.
“It was a five-on-five tournament last year, but because the ice is a little bit smaller we’re moving it to a four-on-four tournament. Hopefully we can get a couple more teams that way,” explained KidSport Bonnyville board chair Brad Ollen.
Participants will hit the ice at the Bonnyville Centennial Centre’s outdoor skating rink, something Ollen believes makes this fundraiser unique.
“It’s a cool event. You don’t get to have a tournament on an outdoor hockey rink very often,” he noted.
When it comes to the Bonnyville C2 partnering up with Kid Sport to put on this event, fitness and recreation manager for the facility Victoria Bird said, “It’s another great event for the Bonnyville community. From the C2 perspective, we’re the local recreation facility so a lot of registration eventually gets filtered through us. Anything we can do to support the Bonnyville Kid Sport program makes a difference for all of us.”
Last time around, the event managed to raise $2,500 for KidSport Bonnyville. This year, their goal is to almost double that by bringing in $4,000.
All of the proceeds will be used to cover the cost of sport registration fees for local kids.
Ollen explained, “(KidSport) raises money for low income families to put their kids into sports, so families that are struggling to pay registration fees can apply to KidSport Bonnyville and we will pay up to $300 per kid per year towards sport registration fees if they meet the criteria.”
“It’s a charity that’s been around Bonnyville for a number of years now and we’ve done amazing things getting tons and tons of kids into sports that otherwise might not have the chance to participate,” continued Ollen. “Anyone who has grown up playing sports and is an adult now can attest to the benefits being able to participate in sports has brought to their life. This is just an easy way to give back, by participating in a hockey tournament.”
KidSport Bonnyville helped about 80 local kids get involved in sports last year by covering just shy of $20,000 worth of registration fees.
“All of the money we raise stays within our community and helps those kids within our community play all of the sports they dream to play,” Bird exclaimed.
Because they’re a sport-focused organization, Ollen feels it’s only fitting to raise money through events such as the hockey tournament.
“I think that’s a big draw. All of us on the board have sport backgrounds or are very interested in sports. It’s fitting that we put on sporting events to raise money to get more kids into sports,” he stated.
Bird agreed.
“We felt this was a great avenue, to get the adults out and get them involved and raise money for registration fees.”
In order to guarantee a spot for a team, interested participants are encouraged to register sooner rather than later.
According to Ollen, it’s first-come first-serve, so those who get their forms in will be given one of the eight openings.
“It’s an 18-plus recreation tournament. Females are encouraged to participate as well,” Ollen said, adding it’s open to players of all skill levels.
Bird added, “It guarantees your spot in this great event that only happens annually. It’s the only outdoor hockey tournament, so it’s something that’s unique because it’s the only one that happens in Bonnyville.”
“It’s just for fun. There’s no cash prize or any big prize on the line. It’s really a fun recreational fundraiser for KidSport, but you do need to be 18 to participate and have signed a waiver form in advance,” said Ollen.
For more information, or to register a team, contact Ollen at 780-201-2627.
Meagan MacEachern, Bonnyville Nouvelle
