Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We all know the importance of how sport can positively affect and influence a child’s life. In most cases success in sport at a young age can also lead to success in life.

About the same time last year, I stood in this House to recognize the accomplishments of a group of younger superstars, the East Three Eagles Elementary Basketball Team, claiming their first ever banner for the new school and new gymnasium in Inuvik. Today I’d like to stand in this House and once again recognize this group of young, fine gentlemen on defending their championship last weekend here in Yellowknife with a 35 to 33 nail biter of a final game last weekend and the work that they do and the effort that these children have been doing ever since they were taking a youth basketball program in Inuvik, and I just wanted to congratulate them on their win again.

Also, I’d like to recognize and congratulate the Grade 6 Girls Basketball Team who did make it to the finals this year. They didn’t win, but to make it to the finals is a great accomplishment for them as well.

I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank the coaches and the chaperones that came down with these youth and helped them participate in the basketball tournament and also taking in some of the recreational activities here in Yellowknife.

I’d also just like to take the opportunity to thank Basketball NWT that puts this Cager Tournament on every year and does a really great job, and all the volunteers, referees and scorekeepers who put this tournament on and do a great job.

This weekend is the Senior Cager Basketball Tournament here in Yellowknife. We have a lot of teams coming from out of town, and I think it’s one of the biggest showings of out-of-town teams that come to this weekend’s tournament.

I just want to take the opportunity to wish good luck to the teams that are representing East Three Secondary School this weekend. I know last year they had some very exciting games in the senior boys division as well as the ladies. I want to wish them the best of luck and hope they do well and bring another title home to Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.