The Union representing 20,000 City of Toronto ‘Inside’ workers wants the ‘best-est’ ball hockey tournament in Toronto to be the biggest.

On the heels of this weekend’s successful 2014 City Ball Hockey Tournament, Tim Maguire, President of Local 79 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 79) pledged to make next year’s bigger and even better.

“Hundreds of kids got to enjoy a great day of ball hockey, pizza and fun at the Better Living Centre. One of the kids told our volunteers that it was the ‘best-est’ Saturday ever. Who wouldn’t want more of that?” asked Maguire.

“CUPE 79 members are very proud to support this event—both through our sponsorship with City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and through the many hours of time our members give through their volunteer efforts to make this event a success,” he added.

This year’s annual tournament featured 16 teams of boy’s and girl’s ball hockey teams assembled from participating Community Recreation Centres. It was also CUPE 79’s first year as a sponsor for the event. CUPE 79 members acted as coaches, referees, scorekeepers, as well as staffing registration tables and helping serve pizza and juice. Teams also received medals and trophies at the conclusion of the tournament.

At participating Community Recreation Centres, children aged 6-13 enrolled in the ball hockey programme learn the fundamentals of ball hockey, culminating in the tournament, where they are able to make new friends and connect with other young people from across the City of Toronto.

Maguire said the successful ball hockey tournament is “part of CUPE Local 79’s ongoing engagement with our city’s communities. We think events such as this one, and the ongoing programming our members are proud to provide, make Toronto a safer and better community.”

He added that CUPE 79 will explore ways to make next year’s tournament an even bigger success.

CUPE Local 79 is Canada’s largest local union, representing 20,000 members at Bridgepoint Hospital, Toronto Community Housing, and the City of Toronto, including 8,000 Parks, Forestry and Recreation workers.

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Take a look at Now Toronto’s photos by clicking here.

For more information, please contact:
Tim Maguire, CUPE 79 President, 416-977-1629
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641