Christine Vopel
Sooke News Mirror
Ever miss those high school basketball days? Tired of feeling like you’re too old to join a team or wish you could just shoot a few hoops and raise funds for high school teams at the same time? Then come join the Celtics — a first of its kind men’s basketball league taking place on March 7.
The plan remains in the early stages with much still to be decided.
“I’m hoping to get four or more teams together to fund-raise money for the high school team,” said Peter McKay, a well-known basketball player and graduate of Edward Milne Community School who now possesses a teaching degree from Vancouver Island University. “I grew up in Sooke and played basketball here but there was nowhere to go after high school. Not everyone has the time or money to drive to Langford to play basketball. There was a need for it for sure. Somewhere to play in Sooke,” he said.
Mckay estimates there will be two to three games running from 7-10 p.m. every Wednesday night at the high school until the middle of May. Ages 18 and up are accepted. After the first week in March the league would run for 10 weeks with three weeks of playoffs.
“Things like this have a tendency to get competitive on their own but I’m hoping people will just have fun, first year is always the hardest,” he said.
Trevor Bligh, an EMCS basketball coach of 17 years and main organizer of the men’s league supports Mckay’s initiative. “He’s following a model shown to him by the Cowichan Secondary. It’s great exercise and you’re helping out a team. It also gives guys a place to play when it’s wet outside,” said Bligh. He estimates the league will be able to raise $850 a year for the high school team.
The costs are $100 a player, which includes a jersey. Those interested in joining the men’s basketball league starting on March 7 can register with Trevor Bligh at 250-882-5279 or by e-mail: the blighs@gmail.com