Ultimate tournament raises money for good cause

By SportsXpress Team

On Saturday, August 13 ultimate players from around the Waterloo region participated in the first ever, Cabana by the River ultimate tournament. The tournament took place at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge. The purpose for the tournament was to raise money for Langs Farm Villiage Association, a local organization that provides assistance to children and adults, including organizing sports activities for youth.

Cambridge Adult Team Sports, an adult sports league in the city of Cambridge, organized the tournament. It’s coordinator, Jill Nothstein, was the driving force behind the event.

Jill, Bill Davidson (executive director of Langs Farm Villiage Association) and Dave

“I’ve been playing sports since I was five years old,” beamed Nothstein. “It is my passion. I cannot think of anything more rewarding than to come out for a day, to play a sport you love, with people who enjoy it just as much as you do, and all for a good cause.”

Unlike many ultimate tournaments, Cabana by the River was a one-day, recreational tournament.

“Our main focus was to raise money for a worthy cause,” stated Dave Stainsby, field coordinator for Cambridge Adult Team Sports.

The tournament was free; however, each team was challenged to raise a minimum of $100. Teams played six, 45-minute games. Each game started with a water balloon toss. Teams challenged other teams throughout the day for their Hawaiian leis by playing beach-related spirit games.

Awards were given to the first place team, the team that raised the most money, the team with the best “beachin” spirit, the team with the best cabana and the best individual “beachin” spirit.

The best team spirit award winners

Two teams were tied going into the last game of the tournament. Both were playing for the win. Team, “The Dave’s I Know”, took home the first place award by scoring the winning point in overtime. The second place team, “Drum”, also received an award, as they were the team to raise the most money. Awards were distributed at the Cabana by the River Social, which was held at Crabby Joe’s in Cambridge.

“Everyone has been supportive of this event.” stated Stainsby.

The city of Cambridge worked closely with Cambridge Adult Team Sports to ensure the fields were in good condition prior to the event. Giant Tiger on Main Street in Galt, sponsored the fruit, snacks and water for the day. Bill Davidson, executive director, of Langs visited over the break to thank all of the tournament players for their donations. Crabby Joe’s on Hespeler provided the venue and some appetizers for the players.

“I cannot think of anything more rewarding than to come out for a day, to play a sport you love, with people who enjoy it just as much as you do, and all for a good cause.”

Players approached the coordinators of Cambridge Adult Team Sports after the event and requested that they organize this tournament again next year.

“As long as the players want it, we will continue to organize it,” smiled Nothstein.

Cambridge Adult Team Sports plans to get involved in other initiatives as well. Supporting residents in the City of Cambridge, including local businesses, is a main goal of the organization. Currently Cambridge Adult Team Sports coordinates sports leagues to support healthy lifestyles among the residents. They also plan to work with Langs to teach youth about ultimate.

“Some organizations try to compete,” stated Nothstein. “But we strongly believe in working together to optimize the effect we can have on the community.”

For more information about the league go to www.cambridgesports.org and check out www.waterloosportsxpress.ca for more ultimate coverage!

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