Bet you’re dying to know who won the Altis Bocce Battle, huh?

First Avenue Investment Counsel returned to the second annual Altis Bocce Battle on Tuesday to take care of some unfinished business: claiming a championship trophy that narrowly evaded it last year.

First Avenue Investment Counsel returned to the second annual Altis Bocce Battle on Tuesday to take care of some unfinished business: claiming a championship trophy that narrowly evaded it last year. Twenty-four teams competed in all but it was First Avenue against RBC Royal Bank in the final match, which offered up edge-of-your-seat excitement.  For First Avenue, the victory was particularly satisfying. “We’ve had this date circled on our calendar all year since our second-place finish last year,” Jason Hunt, portfolio manager of First Avenue’s private client group, later told OBJ.social good-naturedly. He and his colleagues Kim Piché and Venusha Selvendrarajah Burns were joined by his partner, Emily Gray. First Avenue will return to defend its title, and to continue supporting such a worthy cause as Christie Lake Kids, Hunt also said. The local non-profit organization helps youth from low-income households build life skills and develop positive relationships through its free after-school programs, summer camp opportunities and leadership training.

The tournament was held at Wesley Clover Parks and hosted by Altis Recruitment. Some 96 participants, along with volunteers, enjoyed a lunch together before being welcomed in a warm and appreciative way by Altis owner Kathryn Tremblay. The award-winning business leader came up with the idea to hold a fun and relaxing fundraiser as a way of honouring her late husband, Toni Guimarães, with whom she founded her national staffing firm in 1989.  “Christie Lake Kids made such a difference in his life,” she said of the skills and opportunities that helped shape his future through his involvement in the summer camp, back when he was a kid. Guimarães, 51, passed away Sept. 28, 2016 from advanced prostate cancer. With the anniversary of his death nearing, it’s a hard month for Tremblay. What makes it easier is bringing friends, employees and CLK supporters together for an afternoon of bocce. It was Guimarães’ favourite sport after ice hockey.

The day raised at least $60,000, with every dollar going to CLK. “This event is going to support so many great kids, just like Toni,” Natalie Benson, the organization's director of fundraising and communications, said during her brief remarks.  She gave a brief overview of CLK’s deep roots in the community. It started in 1922 after some forward-thinking criminal court judges wanted to provide a healthier outlet to the troubled boys appearing before them. Their efforts led to the purchase of a large piece of waterfront property on Christie Lake, near Perth, to create a summer camp. They bought 88 acres for $2,800. By 1985, CLK also started running free after-school and weekend programs in Ottawa's poorest neighbourhoods. They include art, music, STEM and recreational activities, including hockey. The organization provides all the food, transportation, materials, supplies and equipment. CLK executive director Adrienne Vienneau told OBJ.social how “over the moon” she was to have the support of Tremblay and her team. The bocce event aligns closely with CLK’s values, she added. “This is recreational, this is equitable, this is outdoors, this is community. This is everything that Christie Lake Kids stands for. It’s such a cool thing, that synergy.”

Bocce involves players rolling their balls down a court and trying to get as close as they can to a small white ball. Irfan Ahmed, executive vice president of federal government and IT staffing for Altis Recruitment & Technology, emceed the tournament while Hot 89.9 kept the catchy tunes playing throughout. The beauty of bocce is that anyone can play, no matter one’s size, age, gender and skill level. It’s easier to learn than, say, golf, and the game offers a casual environment where players can hold a bocce ball in one hand and a beer or cocktail in the other. With Tuesday being so hot and sunny, most people had a drink of some kind in their possession at all times.   All the teams paid an entry fee to participate. District Realty even entered two teams. According to RBC's Glenn Sheen, the secret to his team's success was “pure luck. Or the gin.”

More than 30 employees from Altis volunteered at the fundraiser, with the company’s senior director of communications and engagement, Nicole Vanbergen, serving as the lead organizer.  Returning participants included the Telfer School of Management’s dean, Stéphane Brutus, who likes playing bocce. “It’s a very accessible game,” he said. Ottawa Senators wives Marion Chabot and Charlotte MacEwan didn’t leave with the championship trophy but their all-women team had an impressive run. “We can tell our husbands we are a pretty big deal in the bocce world,” joked MacEwan.

caroline@obj.ca