Picture Play Gallery: Dodging the Ball

AJ Mason gets ready to toss the ball at opponents while his Best Buddy Dan Nissenthalo got him to the right spot Saturday during the 3rd annual Best Buddies Dodge Ball Tournament Saturday.

It was a day full of fun, friendship, costumes and inclusion Saturday at Algonquin High School all while trying not to get hit by one of the many airborne dodge balls.

Thirteen teams which equaled about 115 players from North Bay and surrounding townships turned out for the 3rd annual Best Buddies Dodge Ball Tournament Saturday. The tournament not only served as a day of exercise but also offered the opportunity for individuals who have special needs to meet new people and develop new friendships in the larger community.

Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships.

One such friendship played out on the Dodge Ball court as 15-year-old Dan Nissenthalo ensured his buddy 20-year-old AJ Mason not only wheeled clear of the balls but also had fun and remained hydrated for the tense competition.

Nissenthalo, a peer buddy, is a Grade 10 student at Almaguin and says he and AJ spend a great deal of time together just having fun.

“We are best buds,” Nissenthalo says with pride.

“We have lunch together, go for walks, arm wrestle, play cards and watch movies,” he notes asking what they were doing next Friday and an exuberant AJ answered back “I’m going to your house!”

Best Buddies is an international organization and locally is growing with a chapter at Nipissing University and Canadore College, Chippewa Secondary School and Almaguin Secondary School. Best Buddies also enjoys the support of number local businesses.