School sports in Hay River and on the Hay River Reserve have gotten a big financial boost.
The Rusty Blades Oldtimers' Hockey League has donated $25,000 to be divided by schools in Hay River and on the Hay River Reserve. Representatives of Rusty Blades – left to right, president Jeff Boyce, vice-president John Hill and executive member Mike Maher – made the presentation at Diamond Jenness Secondary School on Dec. 11.
On Dec. 11, the Rusty Blades Oldtimers' Hockey League donated $25,000 to be divided among five schools – Diamond Jenness Secondary School, Ecole Boreale, Princess Alexandra School, Harry Camsell School and Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the Hay River Reserve.
The donation was made during the morning assembly at Diamond Jenness.
Jeff Boyce and two other members of the league executive were on hand for the presentation.
"We're community minded and we support kids' sport, and we wanted to do something for the schools because we heard that they were kind of short on money for travel and sporting equipment and uniforms and stuff like that," said Boyce.
The president also noted that someday some of the students will be playing oldtimers' hockey.
John Hill, the vice-president of Rusty Blades, noted the league does lots of fundraising throughout the community.
"We've got a membership of between 60 and 80 players, depending on the year," Hill said. "We're fortunate enough that we come across some funds through various events that we do and we're just happy to give back. And we want to make sure it's for the kids in the community."
The students and staff at Diamond Jenness appreciated the support.
"This is huge," said Diamond Jenness principal Lynne Beck of the donation, which she noted will help with sports in each school.