World renowned dodgeball tournament returns
Okay, world renowned may be over-stating its stake in the community. (And no one is expected to make the kind of moves in the photo above.) But the once annual Adult Mixed Dodgeball tournament in support of The Boys and Girls Club had earned widespread notoriety within the Kawartha Lakes. It was last held in 2017…and now it’s back.
Produced by the Optimist Club of Lindsay, the fun-first, all day competition is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 at the Lindsay Boys and Girls Club.
“When I was a newer member of the Optimist club, I had heard a lot about this tournament and the great work done by former Optimist George Pineau in developing this event” says Don MacIver, a principal with the Trillium Lakelands School Board who’s been with the local service club since 2015. “And when this opportunity presented itself, I made it a priority to work on bringing it back.”
“I knew it had been a big – and important – event for our community.”
The tournament will see up to 16 teams, comprised of players aged 16 and up, with each squad required to include a minimum of two women and a maximum of 10 players. But MacIver stresses this is a low-level competitive tournament.
“We want the same the types of competitors – and I kind of hesitate to use that word – that we’ve attracted in previous years: easy-going people who just want to have fun with their friends or neighbours or work colleagues.”
MacIver does, however, note that while it’s a stress-free event, there’s still room for healthy competition. “Sure, there’ll be prizes and trophies,” he says. “But we’re counting on the pizza and fellowship being just as much of a draw.”
All monies raised will go towards funding programs at the Boys and Girls Club, which serves hundreds of youth in the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the Lindsay Optimist Club.
“This is what the Optimist Club is all about,” says MacIver. “Raising money for kids…but doing it in a fun, community-oriented way.”
He adds that the event will also serve as a showcase for potential Optimist Club members. “We’re really encouraging people to check us out and what we do. And this is a great way to introduce them to us.”
For information on registering a team, contact tournament organizers via email:
