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London Invitational No Tap Bowling Tournament
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May, 2006 Dear Friends in bowling: It is with regrets that we inform you that the London Invitational No-tap Tournament is closing. L.I.N.T. 2006 was our last tournament for the foreseeable future. We have had a great time with you over the years and we thank you for your support and for the good times we had. Our local league has shrunk to fewer than thirty bowlers, making it difficult to attract new people willing to do the work it takes to put on a successful tournament. Those of us who have been doing it for years are getting tired. Rest assured that we will continue to promote and encourage people to attend your tournaments. The friendships we have made over 14 years of L.I.N.T. and other IGBO tournaments will not be forgotten. It was more fitting than we knew at the time when, in closing our banquet this year, we sang Auld Lang Syne. Again, thank you for participating. We had a good run, but as someone pointed out, “there are beginnings and there are endings, and all are natural”. Sincerely, Cathy Fletcher and Gerry MacKay, Co-directors, L.I.N.T. 2006 on behalf of The Tournament Committee
Our MissionWe are a local sports organization geared towards providing a comfortable, positive atmosphere for gays/lesbians/bisexuals to participate in various sporting activities on a recreational level. L.I.N.T. is a member of the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) As a member of IGBO, London holds an annual sanctioned tournament called the London Invitational No-Tap Tournament (LINT).
Our HistoryIn September of 1991, London's first gay and lesbian bowling league began its first season with 24 bowlers. A month previous, Paul Rivard moved to London and was looking to join a bowling league. In no time at all, Paul began helping out with the league and volunteered to help with the second season. As the second bowling season began, Paul introduced the league to IGBO - The International Gay Bowling Organization.Our league became a member and Paul was our first IGBO representative.Paul had the idea that it would be fun to invite the leagues from Toronto and Detroit for a fun No Tap* tournament. The first tournament, the "No Name No Tap". was organized by Paul and took place April 3, 1993 at Centre Bowlerama with about 40 bowlers. At this tournament, a contest was held to name the annual tournament. The bowlers submitted their suggestions and the name was drawn at the banquet, with the winning entry being "London Invitational No Tap" (L.I.N.T.). Ironically, this was the name submitted by our founder, Paul Rivard. The first tournament year to run usmodifying substitution listing the name L.I.N.T. was 1994 and was held at Huron Bowl attracting about 108 bowlers. The LINTship award was created to honour those who contributed the most to the success of the tournament. The first recipients were Kenny Sparks of Detroit and Dave Underhay of Toronto for their support in getting the L.I.N.T. tournament on its feet. With the growth from the 1993 to 1994 and with the excellent feedback obtained, the tournament found a larger venue - Southland Bowl. Following the success of the 1994 tournament, two primary fundraising events were established to help sustain future growth of the tournament. The London Summer Bowling League was established as a fundraiser for L.I.N.T. This league draws around 30 bowlers for a 14 week season from May to August. With the support or our sister cities, the Tri-City tournament was started to raise money for the tournaments held in Toronto, Detroit and London. It is held in London and organised by the three tournament committees. The success of the 1994 tournament also brought the opportunity to grow to a nine-game format instituted in 1995. 1995 also established the tournament to be held annually on the middle weekend of March, closest to St Patrick's Day. This date was endorsed at a regional IGBO meeting and accepted by our region. In 1995 Paul presented the second and last LINTship award to Casey Vokey. L.I.N.T. was saddened when Paul passed away December 17, 1995. With his passing, Paul left a bequest fund, in trust, for the purposes of contributing towards the cost of trophies and awards. To honour Paul, the LINTship award was officially renamed in 1996, The Paul Rivard Memorial LINTship Award and was presented to Mathew Wolfs in memory of Paul Rivard for all his efforts in establishing this tournament. This tournament has now grown and has sold out at 160 bowlers since 1999. This thanks to the hard work of the committee, volunteers and the support of the bowlers. Paul would be proud to see what has become of L.I.N.T. today.
Contact Information
Hotel/Banquet: Vacant
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