Elementary school flashbacks aside, dodgeball a growing adult sport
Upwards of 300 athletes are in London, Ont. this weekend for a major tournament.
But the visitors are not here for any sport you might be expecting, including hockey or figure skating — they are taking part in the Forest City Invitational Dodgeball Tournament.
The adult competitors, from across Ontario, collectively enjoy a sport, and most were happy to leave behind in elementary school.
Joey Poitras admitted, as a child, he did not love dodgeball.
“Not at all,” the 17-year player from St. Catharines, Ont. confirmed when asked by CTV News London.
But as an adult, Joey said it is a different story.
“I’m not the smallest kid in class anymore,” he said. “It is now redemption.”
Players at the Forest City Invitational Dodgeball Tournament are seen in London, Ont. on Jan. 28, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Michelle Dermott, of Milton, Ont. has been playing dodgeball for eight years.
“I remember dodging a lot in elementary school and just trying to survive,” she recalled with a chuckle.
But now, as a seasoned pro in the sport, she’s a threat on the court.
“Yes, my throw has definitely developed as I’ve been playing for a while, and I feel very confident in my throws now,” she explained.
The basic rules of a modern dodgeball game expand on what you may recall from school. There are 12 players and six balls.
Players at the Forest City Invitational Dodgeball Tournament are seen in London, Ont. on Jan. 28, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
“If you hit the person anywhere on the body, they are out. And if you hit the ball, and the other person catches it, they bring in a player,” explained Steve Hickson, a Londoner and Dodgeball Ontario executive.
And while it looks like getting smacked by a ball might hurt, injuries from running are far more common. After all, Hickson confirms the rubber balls from your gym class are long gone.
“So if it hits you, it doesn’t hurt. Because a lot of us have full-time jobs and we don’t want to come out and get hurt,” Hickson said.
And after a three-year-long tournament pause for COVID-19, all are simply happy to be able to play, bruises or not.
“It’s great physical activity. Great team sport. Good at taking out your aggression, for sure," said Poitras.
The tournament is taking place at Mother Theresa Catholic School in north London through Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.