A local sports organization is celebrating 60 years of serving our community.
Brantford Boys C.Y.O. Basketball began in 1956 with 35 boys. Today the association has grown to include 500 young players ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old.
A new video produced by TDG Marketing of Brantford features enthusiastic new players as well as those from earlier generations that were impacted by their time with Brantford Boys C.Y.O. Basketball. Many recall their participation fondly and talk about the influence that the organization had on their lives.
MPP Dave Levac
As a young man, MPP Dave Levac played basketball in the association. He says that his time on and off the court had a profound affect on his life.
“Without basketball I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Levac’s sentiments are echoed by many as they describe the lifelong benefits of participating in an organization dedicated to building character and instilling values of teamwork and self-discipline.
John-Scott Esposito from Guelph University CIS believes that his time with Brantford Boys C.Y.O. Basketball shaped his character and opened new doors.
“A lot of those skill sets and all of those characteristics that I developed, they gave me a lot of opportunities.”
The cavalcade of positive comments in the video make it clear that the association has been true to it’s mission statement.
“Brantford Boys C.Y.O. Basketball Association exists to provide boys with a positive experience in the game of Basketball. Parents, coaches, players and volunteers involved in the program are committed be being excellent role models, developing teamwork, good sportsmanship, self-discipline and basketball skills.”
Paul Yurcich, Volunteer and Builder for the busy Brantford boys basketball group credits their longevity to connections beyond basketball.
“Most entities don’t last 60 years and I think the key to our success on that is that we’ve been able to create community.”
The Brantford Catholic Youth Organization Boys Basketball was founded in 1956 by Monseigneur Harvey Roach and Paul Mitchell.
Msgr. Harvey Edward Roach was born in Stratford, ON. He served in several parishes including St. Basil in Brantford. Monseigneur Roach died in November of 2015.
Cofounder Paul Mitchell remembers the conversation that launched 60 years of boys basketball in Brantford.
“Monseigneur Roach called me on the phone and and he said, there’s an excellent minor hockey program but nothing for basketball. That was the beginning of CYO Basketball.”
CPA, CA, LPA, Partner
Millards Chartered Professional Accountants
Ted Leyzer, CPA, CA, LPA and Partner at Millards Chartered Professional Accountants is the current President of CYO Boys Basketball. He has been involved with the organization since he was 23 and now oversees the tournament that pays tribute to Paul Mitchell, best known as Brantford’s “Father of Basketball.”
“The last number of years I’ve run the Paul Mitchell Invitational which brings in about 120-130 teams on an annual basis.”
Martin Dixon, CPA, CA, LPA and Partner at Millards in Brantford has worked with Leyzer for years, even prior to his CYO involvement. Dixon can attest to his dedication to Brantford Boys C.Y.O. Basketball.
“If you call him on his cell phone any time of the year after 4:30 in the afternoon, all you can hear in the background is thump, thump, thump.”
Millards Chartered Professional Accountants is a proud sponsor of Brantford Boys C.Y.O. Basketball and congratulates them on an incredible 60 years of service to our area.
Registration for the 2016/17 season will be held on Saturday, September 10. You can learn more on their website at www.brantfordcyo.ca or by following them on Twitter.
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