Titans giving the gift of sport

By Greg Price
For the Taber Times

Just as the Titans made their presence felt in Greek mythology, so too does the local version as they want to make the same impact in the Taber area.

A local children’s charity emerged in 2022 in the Taber Titans, with its origin in the love of sport.

“The charity started off by a couple of buddies wanting to bring a hockey tournament back to Taber,” said Taylor Gouw, president of the board of directors for Taber Titans Charity, which was created back in March. “After a bunch of discussions with each other, we decided let’s go all out. Let’s give back to the community while having a good time doing it.”

That good time Gouw speaks of is hosting a charity 5-on-5 hockey tournament on Jan. 20-22 at the Taber Arena, with all funds raised going towards disadvantaged youth to participate in sport.

“The format of the tournament is a maximum 16 team, 5-on-5 game where teams have a chance at four games to kick back with their buddies, enjoy some good food, some good refreshments, and have all proceeds going back to sponsoring kids to enjoy sport.”

Wedged on the weekend between games is a concert/cabaret as a plus to the tournament. The general public is invited to the concert at the Taber Community Centre on Jan. 21 at $20 per ticket.

“You get to see three bands with local ties in Another Simple Solution, Ransom Note, and Kid Cali,” said Gouw.

While this will be the Taber Titans’ flagship event in January, the group has helped volunteer for numerous other events in a busy 2022 and helping a handful of kids realize their sporting dreams along the way.

“The group has generously spent time volunteering for three events done by Spider Entertainment,” said Gouw of the Taber Titans Charity which currently has 14 members.

Funds raised so far by Taber Titans have come from its volunteering at events, selling apparel with its name on it, corporate donations, and having an account at the bottle depot.

While the majority of the board are ‘hockey guys’, their reach has made it to kids in need all over the sports spectrum.

“Honestly, after our first phone call with our first recipient for the Titans, it was exactly why we started this. Nothing like eight people on a conference call all in tears of joy and gratitude,” said Gouw of the family in need who gave a written testimonial to town council during a Taber Titans presentation of its organization.

“It’s very nice to have been able to sponsor kids over a variety of sports, as everyone on the board played hockey,” added Brady Thompson, a Taber Titans board member. “It’s nice to show that we aren’t only focused on hockey players. We have donated to basketball, volleyball and hockey players so far, with plans to get into all sports in Taber in some way.”

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