It’s tip off time at the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Basketball Championships in Halifax.
Six teams each in the men’s and women’s brackets are looking to take home the banner and a trip to the national tournament.
“It’s amazing to see her playing this way. I know she can do better than this, but I know it’s going to be better,” says Cherryl Van La Parra, whose daughter Chermensa plays for Cape Breton Capers.
The family made the trip from the Netherlands for the weekend tournament.
“I’ve never been to Canada and it’s my first time here. It’s really great to see her playing in real life,” says sister Rochelle Van La Parra.
Thousands will fill the seats at the Scotiabank Centre during the three-day event. With several players from around the world, this year’s tournament is a true international affair.
“It’s a good arrangement and everything, so it’s nice. We flew here from Sweden so we are a long way guest,” says Annika Bollander, who’s here to watch her daughter Lisa play with the Acadia Axewomen. “We, just a couple of weeks ago, decided to go here just to see our daughter’s last games here in Canada.”
Earlier this week, AUS president and CEO Phil Currie announced he will be stepping down after leading the organization for more than 26 years.
“I look forward to the crowds, the crowds, the excitement, the energy. This tournament has been like a child to me for 26 years and it’s going to be an emotional weekend, I think, but also kind of a nice departure, to be able to say so long,” Currie says.
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