Sports

12th annual Udder Tournament returns this weekend in support of Bethell Hospice

November 5, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Kathryn Fraser

The annual Udder Tournament is back this year, celebrating its season of making a difference in the Caledon community.

The event will be held at the Caledon East arenas from November 6 to 8.

The Udder Tournament is a charitable women’s hockey tourney where participants are able to compete and raise money for Bethell Hospice.

The tournament was first started to recognize Donna DeBoer, a Caledon Women’s Hockey League founding member who had made a large contribution to the league and community.

DeBoer was known as a proud, hardworking local dairy farmer, and her passion for farming was the reason that the cow theme was selected for the tournament.

DeBoer passed in 2011 after a courageous battle against brain cancer, and the Udder Tournament continues to be held to celebrate DeBoer.

The tournament’s success has been threefold: it celebrates a friend, teammate, and lifelong dairy farmer’s influence and qualities, brings the community together for some good old-fashioned Canadian sport and camaraderie, and raises money for community needs.

Last year, the Udder Tournament raised over $57,300, which is included in the rough total of $384,500 that has been raised and donated back into the Caledon community over the past 11 tournaments.

This also includes a scholarship that has helped support 25 female athletes and students to pursue post-secondary education and goals. The scholarship will also be available this year for a local female athlete attending post-secondary school.

From Friday to Sunday, eight divisions with teams sorted by skill level will play, starting at beginner, and the teams will have a mix of ages with many mother/daughter combinations as ages range from 19 to 70.

Registration for the tournament filled up in a span of one day, with a waiting list now in place.

Thirty women’s teams will be hosted during this tournament, with the first game of the tournament starting Nov. 6 at 4 p.m., and the final game wrapping up on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.

The Caledon Women’s Hockey League says that this tournament is successful primarily due to the more than 75 volunteers, community involvement and player’s participation.

In addition to the tournament, there will also be a raffle and silent auction.

For those interested in donating or looking to volunteer for the event, please reach out to UdderTournamentSponsorship@gmail.com.

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