Local lawyer’s layup for kids
The Cynthia Moodie Bess Basketball Tournament creates scholarships for youth
When Paul Riley thinks about the power of education, he remembers a poem his mother, Cynthia Moodie Bess, taught him as a child: “Labour for learning before you grow old, for learning is better than silver or gold. Silver and gold may vanish away, but a good education will never decay.”
Raised by a single mother who moved from Jamaica to Canada in search of a better future, Riley took those words to heart — earning three university degrees and now running his own law firm.
Inspired by his journey, he launched a community basketball event in Lindsay to support scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. All funds raised will be donated to the Cynthia Moodie Bess Initiative for students pursuing higher education.
Riley said the first year saw about 80 local students taking part, and he hopes to see 100 or more this year. He said, The Cynthia Moodie Bess 3 on 3 Award Basketball Tournament is free for participants and says the popularity last year may be because of the three-on-three play.
“That aspect of the game has gained in popularity,” noting three on three was an Olympic sport this year, along with inclusion in professional leagues. “I think the three-on-three element of basketball is growing, and the kids just really enjoyed it.”
“You don’t need five players to play. You get a couple of your buddies, you have a team. It’s kind of the way most of us started playing basketball.”
Riley hopes giving back to the community and encouraging education are messages that are going to resonate with local kids, noting the tournament’s success was evident from its first year, receiving positive community feedback and increased corporate support for the second year.
“Learn how to use a sport, maybe to get an education.”
Riley notes sports inspired him to go to university and play basketball there.
The funds raised will help Kawartha Lakes area students with their first year of higher education. The Riley Divorce and Family Law Firm is asking students to write an essay about what education means to them.
“It’s not an arduous process and we’re going to be putting up a website with that ability for them to get that essay in.”
The tournament is open to students from 12-16 with registration online at therileyfirm.ca. Corporate sponsorship info is available there, too. The two-day tournament will take place at BGC Kawarthas in Lindsay from May 31 – June 1. Both indoor and outdoor courts will be in play.
