The 麻豆精选 Andre鈥檚 Athletics are looking for a return to the top of the podium at this year鈥檚 Andre Blanleil Sr. Fastpitch Tournament.
After a narrow loss in 2018, the Athletics, led by the Blanleil family, host the tournament of Okanagan and Lower Mainland teams in honour of the late Andre and Blanleil and their dedication to fastpitch in 麻豆精选.
鈥淎nytime you can recognize someone in the game鈥檚 history and honour them in a tournament, it brings value to the game and it grows,鈥� said Kyle Blanleil, Andre Sr.鈥檚 grandson and tournament organizer.
鈥淲e get some older faces who played and coached against Andre Sr., and that helps recognize the history of the sport in 麻豆精选.鈥�
READ MORE: 麻豆精选 golfer continues pro push with secured spot at local tour
READ MORE: Olympian helps open new indoor tennis facility in Shuswap
The annual tournament celebrates its seventh year this Father鈥檚 Day weekend. The action starts with the two local teams, the Athletics and the Vernon House of Floors Installers kicking off the tournament Friday night, with the remaining four teams battling it out and the finals being on June 16.
The Andre Blanleil Sr. Memorial Tournament returns to #麻豆精选 this weekend. Action starts Friday with local 麻豆精选 and Vernon teams kicking things off. Finals on Father's Day. pic.twitter.com/V7K0ex9Uzn
鈥� Mack Britton (@MackBrittonBC) June 12, 2019
Blanleil said they specifically chose to have the tournament on Father鈥檚 Day this year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great family tournament, and we planned it for the weekend for that reason. It makes it extra special.鈥�
READ MORE: Cyclist鈥檚 cross-Canada ride cut short after traffic stop nets drugs, weapons
Though teams remain friendly and honour the late members of the Blanleil family, the competitiveness from all the teams is not lost in the sentiments of the tournament.
鈥淓veryone鈥檚 there to win,鈥� said Blanleil.
It鈥檚 something he said his grandfather would be very appreciative Andre Sr.鈥檚 competitiveness is remembered with an inscribed quote on an old family photo:
鈥淚 knew the fun leagues were not where I wanted to be. Winning for me is a large part of the game.鈥�
To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.
@麻豆精选CapNews
newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
