Game Day event raises money for Hamilton youth sports

Some of Hamilton’s local leaders came out on Sunday for Canada’s first Game Day to raise funds to support youth access to recreational sports.

It was a day of sports, food, and a silent auction that featured all kinds of sports items. From Maple Leafs tickets to Blue Jays jerseys and more, the day offered something for every sports fan to love.

The event was held by Emporball, a non-profit organization created last year by 18-year-old Robbie Estrada.

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“I think being a part of sports develops a lot of important skills for kids, like teamwork, leadership, social interaction, skills they can’t develop inside the classroom,” Estrada said.

“I think giving kids the opportunity to play sports provides them an outlet, a distraction to forget about things, and it’s always fun for them.”

Estrada said it was Covid-19 that showed him the importance of finding community through sports and other activities and inspired him to begin the organization.

This was the first of what the group says will become an annual fundraising event.

All the money raised will be going towards Youth Community Sports, a group that funds free sports programming for kids in Hamilton.