Phresh Basketball Tournament celebrates 10 years of building community connections

By Desmond Anuku

The Phresh Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament celebrated its 10th edition at the Fisher Park outdoor courts on July 15. The event focuses on using basketball as a catalyst for conversation by “providing an outlet for youth and adults to engage in the sport they love while strengthening community ties.”

The lead organizers are Chris Hebert of the Phresh Men’s Salon in Britannia and Renford Thomas (nicknamed Mr. Bojangles on the local entertainment scene), alongside the Ontario Public Service Employees Union’s Coalition of Racialized Workers.

“We need more people to unite for positive reasons,” highlights Hebert. “This gives another outlet for people to get together as a community and just have a good time.”

Alongside the 3-on-3 competition, the event featured live music, a celebrity game, 3-point and slam dunk contests, plus tables from local entrepreneurs like Julien Hodge of Lindo Cards.

“Phresh is really all about bringing people together through something we all love to do, and through competition,” states Hodge.

The tournament features youth and adult divisions. Carter Bridges, an Alberta native, says the best part is simply “having some fun with friends and family.”

Thomas says the tournament acts as a powerful opportunity to build connections. He believes the event acts as a catalyst for meaningful interactions, bridging the gap between diverse individuals and “using basketball as an excuse to have conversations.”

Watch a highlight video by Ottawa Sports Pages reporter Desmond Anuku on the hresh Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament below:

This article is part of the Ottawa Sports Pages’ Inclusion in Sport series. Read more about local sport inclusion initiatives at: OttawaSportsPages.ca/Ottawa-Sports-Pages-Inclusion-In-Sport-Series/.