PROVIDENCE BAY—It has been 30 years since the inaugural Bradley McAllister four-on-four hockey tournament was first held as a fundraiser aimed at furthering muscular dystrophy research. The annual tournament is in memory of Bradley McAllister, a young boy who was diagnosed with the condition at the age of five-and-a-half months, eventually succumbing to complications at the young age of eight. This year the tournament takes place March 21-23 at the Providence Bay arena.
Bradley’s mother, Brenda, told The Expositor that Bradley was able to attend the first two tournaments back in the mid-90s and the tournament was established in honour of his perseverance and fortitude at such a young age.
“They told us he would probably pass within a year,” she said. “He actually did quite well. He had the occasional ear infection, the normal things a child comes down with. He was very smart.”
Muscular dystrophies are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of rare neuromuscular diseases that cause progressive weakness and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. The disorders differ as to which muscles are primarily affected, the degree of weakness, how fast they worsen and when symptoms first become apparent.
Bradley was able to take part in the trophy presentations during the first two years, but fate soon intervened.
Unfortunately, Bradley became increasingly ill and was hospitalized with liver complications in December 1995. His eighth birthday was December 27, but by January 4 Bradley was gone—but very much not forgotten.
Since then, Bradley’s four sisters, Alica, Leah, Bobbie and Madison gave fulfilled that role on behalf of their brother.
The tournament started out as a youth-oriented event, but as the Providence Bay community fell short of enough young people to put together a team, it went on a short hiatus only to return as an adult tournament.
Since then, the tournament has sent 25 percent of the proceeds raised to the Muscular Dystrophy Canada, with some funds also being applied to things like new dressing rooms in the Providence Bay arena.
“Every year we try to send $2,500 to Muscular Dystrophy,” said Ms. McAllister. But as time has gone on, it has become more and more challenging to raise those funds. “Some years the municipality has topped it up.”
The challenges are many.
“We didn’t have enough volunteers with their food handling certificates to be able to sell food and not enough have Smart Serve (alcohol serving training) so other organizations have taken on that part,” said Ms. McAllister.
Still, with the assistance of partnerships with community groups, the tournament soldiers on.
“This year we are teaming up with the Providence Bay Agricultural Society and doing a raffle and 50/50 draw,” said Providence Bay Community Centre Board member and tournament organizer Rena Cranston. “Our portion of the proceeds are being donated to muscular dystrophy in memory of Bradley.”
The raffle promises to be a great success, with donations from local businesses, organizations and businesses, but there is always room for more.
If anyone would like to donate items to the raffle, we are accepting donations until Thursday afternoon,” said Ms. Cranston. “We will also have 50/50 draws Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The Providence Bay Curling Club is holding the bar for the event and the snack bar is being run by Pauline King. The Providence Bay Agricultural Society is looking after the raffles.”
Ms. Cranston noted the important role that volunteers play in making the tournament a success. “We couldn’t do this event without any of our amazing volunteers, thank you to each and everyone of them. Bradley was a very special young man who will forever be in our hearts. The Providence Bay Community Centre Board is honored to be a part of this event in memory of Bradley. We look forward to some great hockey while honoring Bradley.”
Among the foremost of those volunteers over the years, notes Ms. McAllister, are Merdick McFarlane, Darren Dewar and Rene Cranston.
The tournament is fully booked with teams and promises to offer some incredible hockey action, with six sportsmen teams, three ladies’ teams and three 40-plus teams.
Anyone who wishes to donate to the raffle, or just make a cash donation to the cause, are advised to contact Ms. Cranston at 705-968-9431.
