The North of 60 Classic concluded its final day on Sunday during the Thanksgiving long weekend, marking the end of a significant three-day event held at École St. Patrick High School and Weledeh Catholic School in Yellowknife. Six Canadian women’s university basketball teams and around 120 athletes participated in the tournament, competing in a total of nine games.
Janet Enge, one of the organizers, mentioned that the tournament successfully raised approximately $350,000 to bring national post-secondary basketball competition to the Northwest Territories. This achievement was made possible through the generous support of sponsors and local businesses.
The event showcased renowned teams like Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) and Wilfrid Laurier University, with five former players from Yellowknife’s Eagles team, a local girls basketball club, making a return to their hometown to participate.
In addition to the on-court action, Yellowknife’s GO Ball youth program organized halftime exhibition games, followed by a dedicated development clinic led by the university teams on Monday.
Tournament volunteer Nicole Bonnell described the electric atmosphere inside the packed gym during the final matchups on Sunday, emphasizing the high energy and excitement among participants and spectators alike.
Local community members expressed their enthusiasm for the tournament, viewing it as a significant milestone for women’s sports in the region. Many attendees expressed their desire to see similar events return to the North in the future.
