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| | 11 Feb,
2004 | Basketball
tourney saves lives - WILBA’s all-star weekend raises over
$9,500 |
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BY MICHAEL PIASETZKI
- The Chronicle Many West Islanders may be suffering from the winter blues these days, but they were offered a remedy Sunday afternoon at John Rennie High School in Pointe Claire. It was called reaching out to the less fortunate. In this case, sick children lying in hospital beds at the Montreal Children’s Hospital suffering from cancer. A strong turnout marked the eighth annual Sian Bradwell/West Island Lakers Basketball Association All-Star Weekend. At the end of the day, those who attended — and there were plenty — returned home in much higher spirits, thanks to their generosity. Over $9,500 was raised through canteen, raffle ticket sales, and donations, far exceeding last year’s total of $5,000.  Blues’ Nikolas Chyzenski goes up to block a shot during Sunday’s mini-boys’ WILBA all-star game. Blues easily won 66-44 over Reds. () Chronicle, Peter McCabe) “As usual, the response to this event has been just unbelievable,” said WILBA president Mike Gaudin, who came up with the idea of combining an all-star basketball weekend with raising money for the Sian Bradwell Foundation three summers ago after meeting Sharon Bradwell at her annual Sian Bradwell Softball Tournament. “We have a whole bunch of very tired volunteers right now, but each and every one knows their efforts have been worth it.” A solid contingent of Montreal Alouettes, including quarterback Anthony Calvillo, cornerback Barron Miles, centre Bryan Chiu, tackle Uzoomo Okeke, offensive lineman Luke Fritz, defensive linebacker Kevin Johnson, recently traded wide receiver Keith Stokes and general manager Jim Popp dropped by to lend support and play in a celebrity basketball game. “This was a great thrill,” said Miles. “It was my third or fourth year doing it, and to be able to get some of my teammates to help out was wonderful. Children are our future, and people tend to forget that. They scold and punish them instead of realizing their minds are fragile. They should love and take care of them.” Chiu said it was a great opportunity to give back to the community. “Any time you can do things for sick kids, it’s great. The youth of today are tomorrow’s future,” he said. As was the case over the last four years, Sharon Bradwell, who with husband Ken, started the foundation after their daughter Sian died from a rare form of cancer in 1986 at only 17 months, drove from Toronto to offer encouragement. She spent most of the weekend in the background though, watching the games with interest and snapping pictures for mementos. “My husband and I started something, but it’s people like Mike Gaudin who have taken the ball and run with it,” said Bradwell, a former West Island resident. “They should know their efforts are very much appreciated.” Bradwell said Montreal Children’s Hospital representatives met with her last year and showed her an expensive piece of equipment that cost $135,000. “To be able to help them purchase it through weekends like this and the softball tournament as well is truly wonderful and a testament to the hard work from all the volunteers,” she said. Fundraising aside, spectators were treated to eight basketball games, from pre-novice to juvenile. Some of WILBA’s finest girls’ and boys’ house-league players, chosen for their fine performances and good sportsmanship during the regular season’s first half, took the floor. Coaches did not show any priorities as far as playing time went. Clubs had to rotate their personnel with equal playing time. In the mini-boys’ contest, the Blues scored early and often en route to a convincing 66-44 victory over the Reds. “It’s an all-star game, so the kids simply came out to have fun,” said Blues head coach Ray Francoeur. “I told them they were here for a reason and they should come out and play. I guess they did just that.” One of those was Michael Consalvo, who enjoyed a fine contest for the Blues. “It was a good experience,” he said. “It was an honour to be picked to play in this game. We took things seriously, and it showed in our big win. I believe the difference today between the two teams was in height and speed. We had more of both.” Source: The Chronicle |
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