This weekend, a street hockey tournament will take over Richmond Park Hall. In addition to friendly rivalries for the 12-inch silver cup trophy, there will be remembrance.
The Smatty Memorial Cup takes its name from Tyler Smith — his nickname, that is. Smith, who graduated from Edwin Parr Composite (EPC) in 2006, passed away in November of 2011 at the age of 23.
“He had a profound influence on everyone, and … he was kind of a magnet for people, so we wanted to carry that on by having an event in his name that would bring everyone together no matter how far, no matter where they’re from,” said tournament organizer Ory Baron.
The event, now in its third year, is raising money for a bursary in Smith’s name to be given out to an EPC student each year. Baron said the bursary has been approved by the school, though the criteria for students eligible for it are still being hammered out. There will be an athletic component, said Baron, noting Smith’s stint on the EPC basketball team.
The Smatty Memorial Cup is usually held the weekend of June 23, which was Smith’s birthday, though this year it had to be planned slightly later, said Baron.
Street hockey made sense as a way to remember Smith.
“We played it religiously growing up on the same street,” Baron recalled. “We were playing that pretty much every week as much as we could.”
The tournament is a bit more organized than kids playing shinny in a cul de sac. Baron said burgers and beverages will be sold throughout the weekend.
“All proceeds end up going to support that bursary that we’d like to continue honouring his name with,” he said.
On Friday night, teams arrive at the hall and register for $80; that money also goes towards the bursary.
In its first two years, the tournament raised $800 and $600.
Some of the 65–80 participants bring instruments, and conviviality and reminiscences lace the weekend. Depending on the number of teams, the finals will be late Saturday night or Sunday morning, said Baron.
“We kind of started it with the intention that it would be more specific to people that were closest to him, that … had some sort of relationship,” said Baron.
Baron said while it’s important the core group that remembers Smith stays involved, he is open to others attending.
“That’s not really a problem to us as long as people are coming with positive vibes,” he said.
He noted that donations to the bursary are always welcome whether people are competing or not. A donation box will be set up at Richmond Park Hall the weekend of the tournament.
“We’d like to continue in his name, creating a positive influence just as he was,” said Baron.
