The Amherst Spartan U18 and Amherst Coyotes U16 basketball teams have received a $250 community support grant from the Town of Amherst.
The money will be used to help the teams host a ladies, eight-team, invitational tournament for those age groups during the weekend of March 8-10. Teams are coming from Amherst, Cumberland County, Shelburne, Cape Breton, Halifax and St. Margarets Bay.
“One of council’s priorities is to encourage people to live a healthy, active life,” Coun. Jason Blanch said as he presented the grant to Keira Dyck, a member of the Spartan U18 team, and team manager Pam Chenhall.
“This grant helps the members of these two teams help us achieve that goal by helping them live an active, healthy life and, by their example, encouraging others to do the same.
“The Town of Amherst is proud to support these two teams and we wish them and all participants of the tournament good luck.”
Chenhall said the support from the town is vital.
“Tournaments like these are expensive to run, with referee fees and facility rentals,” she said. “While we raise money to support the teams, grants like this helps us offset those costs. It also enables the program to continue to provide these players with an opportunity to play.”
Due to heavy usage of Amherst facilities, tournament games on March 8 and 9 for both age groups will be played in Springhill. The U18 teams will play games at Amherst Regional High School on March 10 beginning at 10 a.m., with the championship game for this age group going at 3:15 p.m. The U16 games on March 10 are being held in Springhill.