LONG SAULT, Ontario – In 2014, one of John Cleary’s best friends and sports teammates, Andrew Duval of Long Sault, passed away unexpectedly. Keeping his memory alive, Cleary organized the annual Duvy Cup and it returned to Long Sault on Saturday, June 8.
“I decided to talk to his parents and start having an annual hockey tournament,” explained Cleary, who has been organizing the event for about the past four years. “It actually started off in the winter but we decided to move it to the summer two years ago because more people would come out…”
Cleary said that six ball hockey teams, or about 50 individuals, were facing off for the summer 2019 Duvy cup trophy, which one participant made at the inception of the event.
“I think this is our best turnout yet,” said Cleary.
With a playing fee of $20, all proceeds from the ball hockey tournament will be donated to Recovery Cornwall, where there is a boardroom dedicated to Duval according to Cleary.
“John’s the guy who organizes the tournament every year and all of us get together; we’re all friends…all the money goes towards people and their health,” said Alain Duval, father of Andrew, who was grateful for Cleary’s initiative.
“I thank everyone for the support and anyone could come out and watch next year,” said Cleary.
To learn more about Recovery Cornwall, click the link here.
