Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Battlefords put on their second annual Wiffle Ball Tournament at Battleford Arena this weekend.
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The organization is dedicated to children while ensuring they grow up with a mentor. 鈥淲e want to ensure youth who would like that extra support and one-on-one time in their lives know that they will be able to find it within their community,鈥� Program Director Renee Sperling said. 鈥淚t creates a warm, supportive and encouraging community and has the potential to create a ripple effect of multiple generations of mentors who have impacted the growth and potential in others within our community.鈥�
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The money raised from the tournament will be going back into the program and activity costs for the Big Brother and Big Sister matches.
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鈥淪pecifically, it allows us to fund programs like Go Girls! Or Game On! in local schools, which we provide at no cost to the schools and the participants. It gives us the opportunity to host activities and opportunities for those who are in matches and those waiting to be matched,鈥� Sperling said.
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The tournament was able to surpass what they accomplished the previous spring. Teams from around the Battlefords and surrounding areas took part in the two-day tournament, heading well into Sunday.
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Sperling also reminisced on the first tournament which became a great introduction to the community. Like all introductory events, it had some bumps that weren鈥檛 anticipated along the way, but the game continued to grow this year, and will continue to ring in Spring in the Battlefords. 听As far as how the idea of a wiffle ball tournament came to fruition, the program director said it was the community's love for baseball.
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鈥淚t was born out of a desire to have a fun activity that was new and exciting for the Battlefords and something that wasn't done before. After looking around, the idea of a wiffle ball tournament came up and we liked that it reflected the enthusiastic ball leagues here in the Battlefords,鈥� Sperling continued, 鈥淚t also aligns with a goal we have with the matches and our in-school groups of trying new things, especially those offered in the community, and having fun while trying it out.鈥�
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Not only was the wiffle ball tournament a hit once again this year, but the organization, along with their sponsors, also hosted a dance/social in the evening. People from around Battleford headed over to Battleford arena to enjoy music from Armed with Harmony, the DJs who have worked popular events in Saskatoon and play the in-house music at the ever-growing Saskatchewan Rush team and fan base.
