KidSport Bonnyville is winding up for another dodgeball fundraiser.
The Fifth Annual Player’s Lounge KidSport Bonnyville Dodgeball Tournament is celebrating five years of raising money for kids in the community, and on May 11, participants will be going head-to-head at the Bonnyville C2.
“This is an adult co-ed dodgeball tournament. Some teams have six to 10 players, other teams have more,” explained Brad Ollen, chair of KidSport Bonnyville.
During the tournament, teams are required to have at least two females on the court at all times.
They’re still looking for teams to sign-up, with the turnout proving successful year after year.
“I would encourage people to sign-up because this is a fun evening to play a game that you probably haven’t played much since you were a kid,” Ollen said. “It’s something different than your regular activities around town. It’s a good way to get out, be active, have some fun, and support a great cause.”
The tournament was started five years ago as a way of fundraising for the local KidSport program.
Ollen ran two dodgeball tournaments in Lloydminster. When he moved to Bonnyville and became actively involved with KidSport, he thought it would be a unique way to raise money locally.
“KidSport Bonnyville is about getting kids into sports locally, it’s a great purpose,” Ollen said.
The non-profit organization helps low-income families afford the cost of having kids in sports. Each family is given up to $300 per year, per child, to help cover registration fees.
For those who would rather stay off of the court, Ollen invites them to watch the tournament unfold.
“They’re welcome to come and have some laughs. We definitely encourage it,” he expressed.
The tournament is “more for fun,” and doesn’t include prizes, however the winning team will receive KidSport t-shirts as a thank-you for their participation.
“It’s all for bragging rights... It’s definitely more of a recreational event than competitive one,” Ollen explained. “Everyone has a competitive side to them, but we really encourage people to come out and just have fun, whether you win or lose, you’re supporting a great cause.”
In order to participate in the tournament, someone first has to build their own team. For more information contact Ollen by emailing him at [email protected] or [email protected].
