Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament Registration Opens!
It is time for Richmond-area residents to once again duck and dodge to raise money for local charities and to win fabulous prizes, including free Chick-fil-A food for one year, at the Fourth Annual Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament. This year’s event returns to the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 25, and will benefit Partnership for the Future and The Schools for Niger, Africa Fund.
Last year more than $100,000 was raised for the Children’s Miracle Network-Richmond and the Schools for Niger, Africa Fund. This year the tournament’s organizers hope to raise $185,000.
Once again the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament will be a part of the national Duck-n-Dodge dodgeball circuit. The NTELOS Wireless Youth Tournament portion of the event for middle and high school aged youth will once again be played in conjunction with the adult tournament. The adult division will have two team options this year – Amateur and Pro. Winners in each division will receive a year’s worth of free Chick-fil-A food. Additionally, winners of the Adult Pro Division will split a $1000 cash prize.
There are some notable changes to this year’s Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament aimed at creating an even more exciting atmosphere for participants and spectators. Along with new, simplified “playground” style rules enabling players to focus on enjoying the game, this year’s tournament will feature two separate adult divisions – Amateur and Pro – allowing participants to compete against teams who are playing for like reasons. The Amateur division is ideal for players who are simply looking for a good time and maybe some free Chick-fil-A food while they are at it. For those who have been training for months and are determined to win the food and cash prizes, the Pro division is a perfect fit. For the first time this year, registered teams will receive free Chick-fil-A menu items for referring new teams. The final change for the 2008 Tournament is the new local charity partner, Partnership for the Future.
More than 200 teams participated in 2007 and this year organizers expect at least 400. Registered teams will receive incentives for referring new teams.
“We are thrilled to once again host the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament,” said Jody Wetherill, Tournament Director. “During the last four years, this tournament has attracted athletes from states throughout the region to produce exciting action and create one of the largest charity dodgeball tournaments in the country. However, we are most proud of the fact that the Chick-fil-A Dodgeball Tournament has raised much needed monies for two exceptional local charities.”
Teams that wish to participate in the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament (Adult Division) or the NTELOS Wireless Youth Tournament (Middle School and High School divisions) may register at
www.chick-fil-arichmond.com. Each team must have six-10 players. Registration opened on Friday, Aug. 22. Registration fees are $250 per adult team, and $150 for youth teams. Additionally, teams who wish to pledge a higher amount will be entered into a fundraising competition for exciting prizes.
With a focus on students from Richmond City Schools, Partnership for the Future was begun in 1994 to ensure that every motivated student with limited resources has a workplace internship in high school and is prepared to attend the college of their choice. In addition to the summer internship and development program, Partnership now offers year-round college prep, critical thinking, workforce development, and community building activities.
The Schools for Niger, Africa Fund endeavor began in 2004 when local Chick-fil-A restaurant Operator Howe Rice challenged his restaurant team members to raise funds to benefit the people of Niger, Africa. The money raised from the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournaments has been used to build much needed middle schools in Niamey and Maradi. Building these schools is the missing link in educating the next generation of Nigeriens who provide hope for a nation in crisis.
Top level Red Ball Sponsors for this year’s tournament include NTELOS Wireless, who will be presenting the NTELOS Wireless Youth Tournament, SunTrust, Air Tran Airways, EZ Box Portable Storage, Pearson Auto Dealerships and RideFinders. Additional sponsorships are still available, and interested groups are encouraged to visit www.chick-fil-arichmond.com for more information. All sponsor funding and net tournament proceeds will be split equally between Partnership for the Future and the Schools for Niger, Africa Fund.