Forty-two co-ed teams return to the court next month for the 17th annual STARS Charity Volleyball Tournament at Fort Macleod.
Twelve competitive, 12 intermediate and 18 recreation teams are registered for the April 5-7 tournament at Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre.
The tournament’s goal, as it is every year, is to raise at least $5,400 to fund one mission by the STARS air ambulance.
Last year the tournament raised $10,835 to pay for two missions.
“Things are coming along well,” tournament founder Mike Bourassa said.
The competitive division attracts teams of college and university calibre, but there are also divisions for intermediate and recreational teams.
The competitive division is for players aged 18 years and over, or at least turning 18 in 2019.
The intermediate division is for players aged 20 years and over, who are not playing college or university volleyball.
The recreational division is reserved for players 25 years and over who are not playing college or university volleyball.
Teams are made up of up to eight players, including a minimum of three women.
Registration is $400 a team, with a $100 deposit that will be refunded if the team shows up for all its games.
The top payout is $500, with teams sometimes donating the money back to STARS.
Tournament organizers have enlisted the F.P. Walshe school rugby teams to install four portable volleyball courts to transform the arena. A donation will be made by tournament organizers to the rugby program.
The tournament gets under way at 5 p.m. Friday, April 5 at the arena.
Action resumes at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 6, with all games that day at the arena. New games start every 45 minutes with the final ones of the day getting under way at 4:15 p.m.
A cabaret will be held Saturday, April 6. Volunteers are needed to handle security at the cabaret, which primarily involves making sure people don’t take drinks outside.
Sunday, April 7 is reserved for playoffs.
Students from F.P. Walshe school will handle all scorekeeping at the tournament, and will referee recreation and most intermediate games.
Admission to the games is free, but the Red Hatters will monitor donation boxes at the entrance.
“People are more than welcome to come and watch,” Bourassa said. “It’s always lots of fun.”
Other groups volunteering in return for a donation include the Lions Club and Knights of Columbus.
“The more groups that we can involve, the better,” Bourassa said.
Local businesses are supporting the tournament at five levels: platinum, $250 and over; gold, $100-$249; silver, $50-$99; bronze, up to $49; and door prizes.
To donate to the STARS tournament or volunteer, contact Mike Bourassa at 403-553-2025, 403-330-3546 or hooter44@shaw.ca.
