The inaugural Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) brought together Ottawa’s business community for a day of basketball and charitable giving in support of the CHEO Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre.
Founded by Ken and Berna Halef and hosted by District Realty, the event featured a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, three-point shooting competition and live entertainment. Ten teams representing local businesses competed throughout the day, demonstrating how sport can unite organizations and individuals in support of a shared cause.
The inspiration for the event stems from the founders’ personal experience with the CHEO NICU, where their daughter received exceptional care. Grateful for the support their family received during a challenging time, they created OSTO as a way to give back and help support other children and families who may one day rely on the NICU’s services.
OSTO raised $45,000 for the CHEO NICU through the generous support of the Ottawa business community.
Team Goldstone CPA drives to the hoop as TD Bank/BDC closes in on defense during a spirited matchup at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026.Osgoode Properties (blue) and Claridge Homes (white) bring their competitive spirit to the court during 3-on-3 action at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026.Ottawa artist Fall Down G works on a live mural throughout the event, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that was later auctioned to support CHEO’s NICU, at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026. Players battle for every basket during a fast-paced matchup at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026. District Realty (black) looks for an opening as Soloway Wright LLP (yellow) applies defensive pressure during tournament play at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026. An Anytime Fitness participant takes aim during the three-point competition, one of the day’s featured events at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026. Goldstone CPA (red) and the TD Bank/BDC team (blue) pose for a group photo following a hard-fought championship matchup that brought the event to a close, at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026. Ken Halef, chair of the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off and Vice-President of District Realty, welcomes participants and sponsors at the opening of the event at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026.Anytime Fitness pushes the pace on a fast-break opportunity during 3-on-3 play at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026. The Anytime Fitness team celebrates its victory in the three-point competition after emerging as the top shooters among 10 participating teams at the Ottawa Summer Tip-Off (OSTO) at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre, June 4, 2026.
