There is no hotter sport in Canada right now than basketball and the team at Shak’s World are looking to make a difference through the game of hoops.
Shak’s World is an organization that focuses on community and the well-being of youth through basketball.
Shak Edwards is the founder of Shak’s World and has been putting on events since March 12, 2017 when the first annual Cure Courts Basketball Tournament at Georgian College invited youth ages 10-18 out for a day of hoops. The event brought approximately 90 young people together for a day of activity, trivia and education.
Edwards told BarrieToday that the sport she grew up loving is a great way to raise awareness and funds.
“In the past we’ve done events like our Community Classic, Cure Courts and the new one is Buckets For Brains, which is where we have professional dunkers come out and put on a show for everyone,” said Edwards. “Buckets For Brains is to help promote a healthy body and mind and showcases that basketball is more than just a game to us who play it and that it can be used for a greater good as well.”
Buckets For Brains took place on Saturday at the Centennial Beach basketball court and had professional ball players and dunkers play with the kids and receive scores based on their performance.
Edwards said she wants to find a building where the organization can hold more events and continues her passion due to her fight with mental health.
“We are based in Barrie and looking at opening a facility so kids could come out and be celebrated all the time and not just at our events,” said Edwards. “I am a local athlete who went through the mental-health process and realized it was ineffective, and I just wanted to help change it and give other kids a chance.”
The next Cure Courts is on Saturday, June 22 at Georgian College.
Edwards wants anyone and everyone to get involved and help their latest cause.
“This is our annual youth mental-health awareness basketball tournament and this year we’re in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association to try and help them renovate their space on Anne Street,” said Edwards.
For more information on how to assist Shak’s World, head to their website.
