Alumni . Basketball . Christmas . Education . Sports

Sun Youth’s 43rd Holiday Classic

January 17, 2025

Sun Youth’s 43rd Holiday Classic

_U0A5022

A Celebration of Basketball, Community, and Mentorship.

Christmas always brings lots of excitement, and that is very true for Sun Youth. Not only do we prepare and distribute 5,000 food hampers to people in need but we host a most exciting basketball event. This year marked our 43rd Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.

Sports has always been at the core of Sun Youth’s identity. It keeps kids busy, healthy, it builds their confidence, their leadership skills, it motivates them to do well in school, it teaches them about perseverance, and, for some, it may open the doors to higher education with bursaries and scholarships.

Getting our kids out there, competing in front of university coaches and scouts is only one of the objectives of our Holiday Classic basketball showcase. It also serves as a platform to reconnect with our basketball alumni who shine across the province and showcase the spirit of mentorship and community.

The event’s success lies in its ability to inspire the next generation of athletes. High school and even elementary students are motivated by interacting with alumni (such as Don Mensaya from Dawson, in the picture below) who have walked the same path and succeeded—showing them the value of hard work and perseverance both on and off the court.

The weekend event was packed with our alumni playing and coaching at all levels. Dawson coach Rodney Skerritt, Lennoxville Prep coach, Djibril Ngom, and Vanier coaches Andrew Hertzog Scott Mawhinne, Craig O’Brien and Ernie Rosa were back once again this year.

McGill University coach and Sun Youth alumnus John Dangelas, was on-site coaching Helisis Prep. In the crowd, Sun Youth alumnus and Concordia University coach Damien Buckley, was there to spot talent and hard work.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event a success, and especially our young players for whom the event is a way to learn through giving back. It takes a community to put on such an event and our young Hornets raised to the challenge.

For more information and all the results, visit the Holiday Classic page.

OTHER NEWS

News for the New Year

Assistance
News for the New Year
20 January

We wish you a happy New Year 2024. Before moving on to what’s new for this year, we want to thank the…

Read More

The Sun Youth Hornets Annual Basketball Banquet

Alumni
The Sun Youth Hornets Annual Basketball Banquet
10 May
Read More

Earl De La Perralle scholarship winners revealed

Alumni
Earl De La Perralle scholarship winners revealed
31 January
Read More

Basketball 2023 Season recap

Alumni
Basketball 2023 Season recap
24 April
Read More

The 37th Annual Avi Morrow Bike Giveaway

Community
The 37th Annual Avi Morrow Bike Giveaway
22 June

On Saturday, June 19th around 100 amazing and brilliant youngsters who stood out by their good deeds in their community or who…

Read More

Hyundai Canada Offers a Generous $50,000 Donation to Sun Youth’s Tutoring Program

Community
Hyundai Canada Offers a Generous $50,000 Donation to Sun Youth’s Tutoring Program
25 June

Sun Youth wishes to warmly thank Hyundai Canada for its recent contribution to the organization’s tutoring program. This generous donation of $50,000…

Read More