Community leaders and Niagara’s newly arrived immigrants recently gathered to celebrate cultural diversity through sports during the fourth annual Newcomer-Community Basketball Game.

Hosted by the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre’s (NFAMC), a longstanding Brock community partner, the friendly game took place on Wednesday, May 22 in the University’s Ian Beddis Gymnasium.

“The community basketball challenge between Niagara’s newly arrived immigrants and local celebrity leadership was a resounding success for the fourth year in a row,” said NFAMC Executive Director Emily Kovacs.

A highlight of the annual Niagara Folk Arts Festival, the event aims to foster community connections and break down language barriers.

The game tipped off after welcome remarks from Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg, NFAMC Fundraising and Events Manager Pam Seabrook, NFAMC Board Director Bob Oleksiw, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe, Goodman Group Director Abdul Rahimi, and Niagara Folk Arts Festival’s Cultural Ambassadors.

Niagara’s newcomers went head-to-head against community leaders and first responders in a friendly basketball game on Wednesday, May 22, hosted by the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, Brock’s longtime community partner.

Players were cheered on by their friends and families as well as members of the Brock and Folk Arts communities, with the team of newcomers scoring a 29 to 24 victory over the team of community leaders.

“Our newcomers showed great sportspersonship, real talent and, most of all, had a great time playing, socializing and sharing a game and a meal with first responders and city councillors as well as leadership from Brock, Niagara Regional Police Services and the City of St. Catharines,” said Kovacs. “The team spirit was alive and well and we will continue to foster it through sports, the arts and community building, and with great partners like Brock, it’s a dream come true.”

Brock signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NFAMC in 2019 as part of a shared commitment to improve the well-being of newcomers to Canada.

“This partnership is centred on reducing barriers for diverse and marginalized communities,” said Tanya Bradley, Brock’s Associate Director of Community Relations. “We are grateful to Folk Arts for leading events and efforts like the Festival in the Niagara community. Supporting our community through the basketball game helps to celebrate and promote diversity and inclusion in all areas of life in Niagara.”

For more information about Brock’s community partnerships, visit brocku.ca/community