The Arrowsmith Community Recreation Association recently held its annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, in conjunction with youth week.
The annual fun tournament, which has been held at the Coombs Fairgrounds gym for more than 10 years, featured eight teams, including a trio from Lasqueti Island.
This year's fun 3-on-3 was won by Next Chapter, consisting of Samuel Campbell, Oswald Moody and Jack Meyer, after beating the Tasmanian Tomatoes featuring Micah Campbell, Anaiah Campbell and Troy Van Dongen.
The tournament serves as a season windup of ACRA's free drop-in weekly basketball, held throughout the fall and winter.
"Under the instruction of Isabella Loberiza, the weekly program welcomes players of all skill levels and provides an opportunity for kids to gain confidence through friendly scrimmages," said Kristine Stephenson, ACRA recreational director. "By the time the tournament comes along, many of the players have improved significantly over the season, and are keen to demonstrate how much they’ve developed."
The players are encouraged to play their best, but the emphasis is on having fun and good sportsmanship. The 3-on-3 event is also well attended by the parents, grandparents and siblings of the players who are all cheering the teams on. The gym is full of positivity and encouragement.
Stephenson also commended the volunteers, who come from the weekly drop-in basketball program for older youths and helped with the scorekeeping and refereeing.
"Their passion for basketball is contagious and their willingness to support the event is what enables the event to have the volunteer numbers it needs to succeed," said Stephenson.
Co-ordinating events involves a significant number of people, Stephenson pointed out.
"Donors contribute prizes, volunteers donate their time," said Stephenson. "Parents commit to co-ordinating teams and shuttling kids to and from the event. But everyone is happy to do it. At the end of the day, we all want to see the kids playing a sport they love, and we’re happy to work towards making that happen.
Stephenson is proud of ACRA's basketball program, which is offered free of charge.
"This year’s event was full with eight teams registered," said Stephenson. "It’s a strong show of support for the event, but I think also speaks to how important it is for our community to have free events for youth. The cost of living is a challenge for many families right now, and offering the tournament for free allows the basketball community to remain accessible to all who want to participate."
The tournament is well supported by the community. Canadian Tire, Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf and the Regional District of Nanaimo contribute prizes. Domino’s Pizza, Old Country Market, and Natural Glacier Waters support the concession. Grant funding from the RDN makes this event possible every year, Stepheson stressed.
"By making the tournament free and by welcoming all skill levels, we want to reinforce the idea that this tournament is for everyone. You don’t need to be an incredible basketball player; all you need to do is love the sport," said Stephenson.
