If you ever wanted to whack a bunch of people with balls, you'll have the chance to do it for a good cause on Oct. 15.
The inaugural Chilliwack Dodgeball Charity Tournament will see teams ducking, dodging, whipping and bouncing balls at each other all day long.
The event will raise funds and awareness for the Adult and Teen Challenge Society of B.C. Chilliwack Men's Centre, a faith-based restoration program for people who are trapped in addiction.
They are known in the church community, but they want to be known outside the church as well. They figured a dodgeball tournament would be a fun way to introduce themselves and get to know other people and organizations in Chilliwack.
"I'm totally new to the sport," admits Dale Martens, outreach and evangelism coordinator at the centre. "I'm expecting people to enjoy themselves, and get to know people in the community around sports. We are trying to teach healthy life choices."
To get a better feel for the sport, they've called on Chilliwack Dodgeball League, The Wack, for help and refereeing advice.
The dodgeball tournament will feature two courts of ball-hucking action. Teams are co-ed with six people, and they're aiming to get 16 teams to sign up.
The tourney will be round-robin style with teams playing best-of-three games. A set of three games will be up to 15 minutes long.
It is open to people aged 18 and older, though they are hoping to have kids involved in the future.
Teams are encouraged to dress up as there will be prizes for best costume/uniform. Additionally, there will be prizes for each team and individual who raises the most money, consolation prizes, door prizes for spectators, as well as a $500 grand prize for the first-place team.
There will also be food that day from Freshslice Pizza.
The cost is $120 to register a team of six, or $20 for an individual to sign up. Raising money on top of one's registration fee via pledge-based fundraising is always a nice touch.
People can register online at teenchallengebc.com under the 'events' section. Registration cutoff is Oct. 10.
Organizers of the Chilliwack Dodgeball Charity Tournament are looking for more sponsors to help. They'd really like to focus on younger business owners — the same age group as the majority of the Adult and Teen Challenge students.
"I want to engage the 20- and 30-year-olds to get their business support," says Lance Marais with the Chilliwack Men's Centre.
Plus they're challenging other sports organizations to sign up like NWO Roller Girls and Chilliwack Crusaders Rugby Club.
They are hoping the dodgeball tournament will bring more exposure to Teen Challenge.
"Our heart is to be more involved in our community in Chilliwack, to serve the community, and to educate," says Marais.
The men in the program are already doing their part.
On Thursday nights, students in the program head from the centre in Yarrow to downtown Chilliwack to hand out sandwiches and coffee to those in need. They also give food donations to Ruth and Naomi's and the Salvation Army.
For more info or to sponsor the event, you can call Lance Marais at 778-255-3053, or search for 'Chilliwack Men's Centre Dodgeball Tournament' on Facebook.
The Chilliwack Dodgeball Charity Tournament takes place Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Cheam Leisure Centre. Registration is at 9:30 and the first games start at 10 a.m.
Spectators get in for free.