NEW GLASGOW
The North Enders have won two straight, but their rivals from across the river are out to reclaim bragging rights.
The 8th Annual Jean Proudfoot Memorial Broomball Challenge takes place on Saturday, starting at 7 p.m. at the Pictou County Wellness Centre (PCWC).
A fundraiser for both the West Side Community Centre and the North End Recreation Centre, the event was a brainchild of the late Jean Proudfoot, who passed away in the months that led up to the first event.
“She was a volunteer at the West Side for more than 60 years,” said her son Frank Proudfoot, who is part of the committee that oversees the broomball challenge.
“She was looking for something that could bring people together. She started organizing (the first broomball challenge) and then she passed away, so we did it as a memorial.”
In the seven years since it began, the Broomball Challenge has raised more than $110,000, with proceeds split between the rec centres.
“It’s an extremely important (fundraiser),” said Clyde Fraser, coach of the North Enders. “It has supported a variety of capital projects for the North Ed Rec Centre.”
While the two sides are united in a common goal, once the game starts on Saturday night, the competitive instincts usually take over. The WSCC won the broomball match in each of the first five years, but the North Enders have taken the last two.
“The game is supposed to be friendly, but it becomes quite spirited,” Proudfoot said, who encouraged people to come out to the PCWC to cheer on the two teams.
ABOUT THE EVENT
• First event was in 2011.
• Fundraiser for both the NERC and WSCC.
• More than $100,000 raised in seven years.
• Participants must raise a minimum of $100 each.
