Basketball tourney a success

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

Woods Homes hosted their first 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Strathmore High School on Nov. 27. The tournament wasn’t just about seeing who the best ball player is; it was also a fundraising effort. 

“It was a 3-on-3 basketball tournament where all proceeds go to making Christmas hampers for people in the community, who could use a little help this time of year,” said Nick Bruinsma with Woods Homes. 

Woods Homes is a program geared towards helping youth and their families. They offer crisis and outreach programs, intensive residential programs and other support systems to help get troubled teens back on track. Woods Homes is based out of Calgary but has homes and support centres in communities outside of the Calgary area, including Strathmore and Canmore. 

Bruinsma said they picked basketball mainly because it is easier to get a larger number of teams together with just a few players per team and because a few people in the office are basketball fans. 

For $50 a team could register to take part in the all-day event. Twelve teams took advantage of a day of ball, and between the teams and the concession, Woods Homes Strathmore was able to raise approximately $872 to go the Strathmore Christmas Hamper program. 

“I think it was a team from within Strathmore that ended up winning it this year,” said Bruinsma.  

Bruinsma said he hopes the tournament on Saturday was just the first of many to come.