This article originally ran April 9, 2009 on nj.com
For the last 25 years, the North Ward Center has sent a team to the International Small Fry Basketball Tournament.
But this year, the trip to Orlando, Fla., was almost cancelled, until a group of businessmen from Somerset County got involved.
The Watchung Hills Youth Benevolent Association made a generous contribution toward the trip after learning that the team did not have enough money to pay for travel expenses.
"After seeing what the North Ward Center does for its youth, we felt it was a perfect fit for our organization," said Joe Marino, president of the Watchung Hills Youth Benevolent Association, which was founded in 2001. "Other than helping individual families, developing kids for sports activities is what we're all about, especially in urban areas."
Thanks to the generosity of the benevolent association, 15 children from Newark will be participating in the tournament this year at Disney World. Players are scheduled to arrive in Orlando on Easter Sunday. The tournament begins Monday and runs through Thursday. This year's tournament has attracted teams from Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
For many players on the North Ward Center's team, this is their first big trip outside the city.
"Although this is an athletic competition, the experience goes far beyond sports," said Rashard Casey, the director of the North Ward Center's Youth Development Program.
"This life-altering trip will give the children opportunities to broaden their horizons by interacting with people from different backgrounds," Casey said. "Playing in the tournament gives our children an opportunity to compete in a big venue, where their practice and hard work will be celebrated."
Anne Pereria, a member of the North Ward Center's Board of Trustees, made the connection between the North Ward Center and the Watchung Hills association.
"I was glad I could bring together these two groups to benefit the children of Newark," Pereria said. "It's the beginning of a great relationship."
The North Ward Center holds the Small Fry record for the number of consecutive appearances at the tournament. Raheem Morris, who was named coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year, played on the North Ward Center's Small Fry team that went to Tampa in 1989.
Boys and girls who participant in the Small Fry league must be 12 years of age or younger by September 1st, and must measure less than five feet one inch tall before the season starts. At the end of the season an All-Star Team is selected to compete in the State and the International Small Fry Tournament.
"Playing in the tournament gives our children an opportunity to compete in a big venue, where their practice and hard work will be celebrated," Casey said. "The experience will give them hope for the future. The lessons learned will stay with them throughout their lives.
