nip u sun classic

 

Hundreds of athletes are in North Bay over the next few days.

40 high school soccer teams are here for the OFSAA girls “A” and “AA” events plus 700 athletes are taking part in the Gymtrix Sunshine Classic.

Mayor Al McDonald says the hotels are booked into the weekend.

He says there’s a number of other conferences that are on as well with over a thousand visitors over the next few days.

McDonald says it’s good for business and a great way to showcase the city.

He says sports tourism is all about bringing groups to the city, which is very beneficial, and the team led by Larry Tougas has done a great job with the initiative.

 

In terms of the two major sporting events, St Joseph-Scollard Hall is hosting the OFSAA Girls “AA” event, with 20 teams competing.

The Bears play their first game at 12:30 pm at Cundari Field against an Ottawa school.

There are another 20 teams taking part in the OFSAA “A” girls soccer tournament including Algonquin and host West Ferris.

The Barons play a school from Dorchester at 11am at the Omischl Complex while the Trojans play their first game at 12:30 pm against Eastern Ontario’s Glengarry High School, also at Omischl.

Games in both tournaments are being played at eight fields across the city.

The finals go Saturday afternoon.

 

For the 18th time the Gymtrix Sunshine Classic is taking place in North Bay, with four days of competition at Nipissing University’s Surtees Athletic Centre.

Organizers say 700 athletes from 34 clubs in Ontario and one from Quebec are expected.

The highlight for many will be Saturday night with elite level girls and masters men and women competing.

There are several events, including both women’s and men’s artistic gymnastics.

That includes balance beam, uneven bars, vault and floor exercise for the women and there’s also high bars, rings, parallel bars and pommel horse for the men.

The event also features a trampoline competition and a non-competitive show case.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 and up.

It’s also $5 for students and seniors and no fee for children ages 4 and under.