With the Penticton Power Chair soccer tournament fast approaching, the Penticton Storm received a much-needed boost.
In February, the Storm were among 10 Okanagan groups that received funding from a United Way initiative partnered with Telus supporting youth projects following an application process. The Storm will use the $1,200 it received towards the $3,500 it costs to put on the tournament being held at Princess Margaret and Skaha Lake Middle School April 16 to 17.
Cathy Cunningham, who has coached the Storm for six years, asked members of the team to put in the bid to organize the event. Money to pay for the tournament is generated through various fundraising initiatives.
“The community has been good,” said Cunningham.
This year Cunningham is taking a bit of a step back allowing a few of the members of the Storm to organize the tournament. They will also work together in designing the trophies for it.
Every year players in the tournament register as individuals. Because they never know which team they will be on it helps them meet people.
Players competing in the tournament will also have some incentive to perform well. This is the first year that there is a national team to represent Canada at the World Championship and some of the players participating have a chance to represent the province and compete nationally.