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Local Legends Ball Hockey Tournament revived

The tournament is held in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sault Ste. Marie
SooToday Staff
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L-R: Brandon Hazelton, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Marla Guzzo, Corporate Marketing Manager, Steven McCoy, Event Organizer, James Boynton, Event Organizer. Photo supplied
NEWS RELEASE
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SAULT STE. MARIE
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On Jan. 9, at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sault Ste. Marie (BBBS-SSM) office, McDougall Energy Inc., a local Esso fuel and Mobil lubricant distributor, officially became the head coach sponsor for the Local Legends Ball Hockey Tournament scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 as part of the Bon Soo Winter Festival. With the Head Coach Sponsorship, the 72-year old McDougall Energy becomes the presenting sponsor for the tournament. The Ball Hockey Tournament has been successful raising more than $15,000 for charity dating back to its inaugural season in 2011.

“It was a lot of work for just two young guys at the time,” said Steven McCoy, Treasurer of BBBS-SSM and one of the original event organizers. “Now that James (Boynton) and I are together on the Board of Directors with BBBS-SSM, we decided now was an appropriate time to revive the ball hockey tournament and raise money for our charity. It’s means a lot to me to give back to BBBS-SSM because as a kid growing up here in the Sault, I was a benefactor to the services of the agency by being paired with a mentor whom I still share a close relationship with to this day!” exclaims McCoy.

The ball hockey tournament is open to everyone over the age of 18. Recruitment of teams has begun, and spots are filling up quickly. The ball hockey tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3 starting at 12:00 PM and will be held on Gore Street in conjunction with the Neighborhood Resource Centre’s block party which is all part of the Bon Soo Winter Festival.  

“We’re excited to bring back the ball hockey tournament and now that we have the full support of the BBBS-SSM staff, Board Members and McDougall Energy, we foresee this tournament becoming an annual event with the Bon Soo Winter Festival and who knows, maybe more!” said James Boynton, Director with BBBS-SSM.

The tournament is limited to twelve teams consisting of a maximum ten players per team. The game format will be four versus four, including goaltenders. Each team will be guaranteed a minimum of three games and teams must supply their own goaltender and equipment. Team jerseys are encouraged, and Sports Gold is offering ball hockey participants a discount on custom team jerseys and tee-shirts. 

The registration cost is $100, and each team is being asked to raise a minimum of $500 in pledges for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sault Ste. Marie. One hundred percent of the team registration fees and pledges will be donated to BBBS-SSM. Fantastic prizes will be awarded to the teams and individuals who raises the most pledges for BBBS-SSM as well as the teams that finish first and second overall. Teams will also be fighting for the right to hoist the Ball Hockey Cup trophy which is awarded to the winning team. There will be a social event after the tournament at The Machine Shop later for all team participants and volunteers.

Volunteers are also needed for setup and teardown, time keepers, referees and survey takers. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses and corporations to get involved including advertising space for banners and signage.

Please visit Facebook (sooballhockey( for more information or email [email protected] for team registration forms, tournament information, pledge forms and sponsorship opportunities.  Everyone is encouraged to come out and support BBBS-SSM and have some fun for a great cause!

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