Qualico Ball Hockey Tournament raises $9K for local charities

Winnipeg, MB – Qualico’s ninth annual Ball Hockey Tournament raised $9,000 in support of The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and The Winnipeg Humane Society.

The two-week tournament, held in October 2024, saw 51 employees from across Qualico’s Manitoba Region battle for a shot at the finals, with the top team and runners-up earning the right to nominate their chosen charities.

Thanks to the hard work of Qualico’s Health and Wellness Committee and more than 20 volunteers, from referees and timekeepers to cooks and photographers, Qualico’s head office parking lot was transformed into a festive playground where the sound of hockey sticks and cheers filled the air.

^{Seven teams and 51 players competed in this year's charity Ball Hockey Tournament}

Lisa Dueck, HR Business Partner, Star Building Materials, was one of the many volunteers who helped make the tournament a success.

“As a new employee at Star since just this summer, it was a great way to meet people – and I loved seeing all the spectators come out to cheer,” said Lisa. “It’s inspiring that Qualico recognizes the importance of events that bring people from all the different business units together for fun and some healthy competition – and all for a good cause.”

Tournament organizer Kyle Holodryga, Corporate Purchasing Manager, Qualico, offered a similar sentiment.

“Anytime there's a situation where you can combine physical activity, employee engagement, and charitable impact, it’s a win-win-win situation for everyone,” said Kyle.

Seven teams wore jerseys representing Qualico’s preferred suppliers, with LP SmartSide, Moen, Shaw Floors, CertainTeed, Ply Gem, Dulux, and Johns Manville contributing $500 each to the cause – bolstered with matching funds from Qualico. Additional funds were raised through pop-up lunch stands on select game days.

Following a hard-fought round robin in week one, four teams made it to a playoff round that saw Dulux and CertainTeed earn the right to play in the championship game.

In the tournament final, some otherworldly saves by veteran netminder Mac Carey, Operations Technologist, Qualico Communities, and a clutch tournament-winning goal from the slick hands of Hillary Dumontier, Operations Administrator, Qualico Properties, helped Team CertainTeed edge out Team Dulux 4-3.

^{Team CertainTeed proved they were too much for Team Dulux to handle in the final}

“I couldn’t believe my eyes and had to double check it went in before I jumped up and down high fiving the fans,” said Hillary. “We all worked together and had the best time out there.”

The dramatic, hard-fought victory gave CertainTeed a rare three-peat and dynasty status in Qualico ball hockey lore.

While raising the championship trophy is undoubtedly a thrill, the biggest winners were the charities selected by the top two teams. As tournament winners, Team CertainTeed selected the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba to receive $5,400 totaling 60% of the proceeds.

Tara Reid, Sales and Development Manager, Qualico Communities, said the charity is very close to her heart.

“We chose The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba because it’s such a worthy cause,” said Tara. “There are so many sick children in Manitoba and the foundation helps these kids get the best care possible. I’m personally drawn to this charity as my son needed the support of the foundation in the past and it made a world of difference to our family.”

Runners up Team Dulux elected to donate the remaining 40% of the funds ($3,600) to The Winnipeg Humane Society.

Representatives from The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and The Winnipeg Humane Society attended a cheque presentation ceremony at Qualico’s Winnipeg office on Dec. 9, earning a heartfelt round of applause from staff.

Next year, the Ball Hockey Tournament will hit its 10-year milestone. Qualico hopes to smash its own fundraising records in 2025 to further help local charities, building on more than $44K raised since the tournament’s inception in 2015.