BNB Looks to Expand Spring Adult Tournaments at Two Levels

 With team numbers declining at the Grand Masters for players 45 and over and Great Grand Masters for those 55 and over, BNB has opted to open up the field to allow potential teams from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island into the fray for those age classes.

 The Great Grand Masters championship for 2020 is set for March 28 to 29. The Grand Masters will be played April 18 to 19.

 Tournament sites will be finalized in early 2020.
 Only seven teams competed in 2019 at the Grand Masters level in Harvey including Moncton Old Sweat, Lunar Rogues of Fredericton, Charlotte County, Fredericton Cronies, Upper Valley Krew, Saint John and the host Lakers.

 Four teams were in the Great Grand Masters at Petitcodiac including the hosts, Lunar Rogue Stouts of Fredericton, Hub City Greybeards of Moncton and Harvey.
 ‘During our review with tournament organizers, it was suggested the timing could be right to open up the fields at both divisions to potentially attract more teams and give the age classes a new look,’ said BNB executive director Carolyn Peppin of Fredericton. ‘BNB wants to ensure there are opportunities for our adult divisions to continue to flourish. There was a general feeling we could convert the tournaments into Maritime opportunities and have our fields expanded.’

 Most of BNB’s adult tournaments are held in late March and April.

 There were four open intermediate tournaments last year which attracted 24 teams across A, B, C and D divisions.
The 35 and over Masters division remains popular and feature 14 teams in three divisions.

 The women’s intermediate tournament rebounded with a five-team event and is expected to attract six teams in late March.

 ‘BNB is committed to providing opportunities for our adult players who have a chance to put teams in, travel for a weekend of play at the level they feel comfortable participating,’ said Peppin. ‘The adult divisions are very important to our organization and we want to ensure there is plenty of opportunity to play regardless of age or skill level. With a few wrinkles in how we approach those weekends, more teams may pop up and that’s the goal.’

Tournament registration for these events will open in January.

 For information on any of BNB programs, reach out to info@basketball.nb.ca