It will soon be time to head for the courts as the 2024 Laura Gauthier Memorial (LGM) volleyball tournament is set for May 2-5 at Rankin InletSA国际影视传媒檚 new arena.

The LGM launched in 2000 and has continued as an annual event open to the North, only missing one year due to Covid.

The LGM committee SA国际影视传媒� currently comprising Toota Tatty, Reanna Johnston and John Ussak SA国际影视传媒� is already looking ahead to big things to celebrate the tournamentSA国际影视传媒檚 25th anniversary in 2025.

As of April 21, there were seven menSA国际影视传媒檚 and 12 womenSA国际影视传媒檚 teams registered for this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 LGM, with at least six teams from the Baffin expected and, hopefully, two from the Kitikmeot.

As with any tournament, Tatty said the LGM has had its ups and downs.

She said the sport seems to die down in popularity from time to time, which can lead to a low turnout of teams for the tournament.

SA国际影视传媒淟ately itSA国际影视传媒檚 been making a big comeback, especially with the tournament being hosted in the new arena for the first time this past year,SA国际影视传媒� said Tatty.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e able to have two courts in the new arena, so I think thatSA国际影视传媒檚 really helping to boost the attendance.

SA国际影视传媒淭here were lots of big contenders last year, so it was a lot of fun to watch every game, especially in the playoffs.SA国际影视传媒�

Johnston said moving to the new arena in 2023 was amazing for committee members.

She said it makes for one less building to take care of during the tournament and the hamlet arena staff are extremely supportive during the event.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey took on a lot of the responsibilities that we used to be solely responsible for when the tournament was held in the two schools,SA国际影视传媒� said Johnston.

SA国际影视传媒淪hutting down at the end of the tournament and cleaning it all up was lifted from the committeeSA国际影视传媒檚 shoulders.

SA国际影视传媒淭he canteen running in the arena, as well, is a real convenience for a lot of the players. As far as spectators go, to be able to watch two games being played simultaneously was something positive that was mentioned a lot throughout the tournament.SA国际影视传媒�

Last year saw Iqaluit defeat Naujaat for the menSA国际影视传媒檚 championship, while Pangnirtung topped Iqaluit on the womenSA国际影视传媒檚 side of the ledger.

Pangnirtung was, at one time, a steady competitor at the LGM, and 2023 marked the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 victorious comeback after many years of not attending.

The costs associated with travel was the main culprit behind PangnirtungSA国际影视传媒檚 prolonged absence from the event.

Naujaat and Team Hang and Bang from Rankin Inlet have been top rivals on the menSA国际影视传媒檚 side during the history of the LGM, while RankinSA国际影视传媒檚 V Team and Team Fusion have often run into each other on the female side. Team Familia have also been strong contenders on the ladiesSA国际影视传媒� side and captured the Aivilik tournament in Naujaat in April.

Tatty said the teams that havenSA国际影视传媒檛 participated in many years are starting to make a comeback, and this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 tournament will be broadcast live for the first time.

She said the Pangnirtung women used to be regular attenders and Baker Lake appeared for the first time in SA国际影视传媒渕any, many moonsSA国际影视传媒� in 2023.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was the same thing last year with the Arviat men,SA国际影视传媒� said Tatty. SA国际影视传媒淭hey hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 attended in many years and, this year, we even have an Arviat womenSA国际影视传媒檚 team competing.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had a Naujaat ladiesSA国际影视传媒� team compete last year for the very first time and theySA国际影视传媒檙e coming again this year. They did really well in their first tournament here.SA国际影视传媒�