Rothesay Netherwood School to Host Inaugural Milner Invitational Basketball Tournament

Rothesay, NB (September 15, 2022) – Rothesay Netherwood School is pleased to announce the first annual Milner Invitational Basketball Tournament taking place on its campus from September 30 to October 2, 2022. The tournament will feature the RNS Prep Boys’ Basketball team and teams from the ACAA and CEGEP leagues, including Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Crandall University, Thetford Academy, and the University of King’s College. Carl English, former professional basketball player and General Manager for the St. John’s Edge of the National Basketball League of Canada, will deliver a keynote address at a banquet dinner taking place on October 1 during the tournament.

“Our intention with this tournament is to excite the Atlantic Canadian basketball community with something new,” says Damian Gay, Head Coach of the RNS Prep Boys’ Basketball Team and RNS faculty member. “I believe basketball on the East Coast needs more profile,” says Gay. “It’s our goal to enhance and promote basketball on the east coast to the rest of Canada, and eventually to North America and around the world.” The tournament will be livestreamed by North Pole Hoops.

The tournament is named in memory of RNS graduate and former Prep Boys’ Basketball Team Captain, Andrew Milner ’17, who tragically passed away in a canoeing accident in British Columbia in 2019. At the time, Milner was a kinesiology student playing for the University of Calgary Dinos and recognized as a rising basketball star. 

“Andrew was a very important member of the RNS community who is deeply missed,” says Paul McLellan, RNS Head of School. “His passing was a tremendous loss for everyone who knew and loved him. We are pleased to honour his legacy in this way and keep his spirit of mentorship, teamwork, and determination alive for others to learn from.” A portion of the proceeds from the weekend tournament will be donated to the 4AM Basketball Camp, which supports an annual scholarship in Milner’s name. 

Thor Olesen, Sponsorship Chair of the RNS Milner Invitational Tournament, says banquet dinner attendees can expect a captivating talk with valuable takeaways from Carl English. “Carl has a compelling story about resilience that we know will inspire the young athletes and adults in the room,” says Olesen. “Carl and Damian both aspire to put basketball in Atlantic Canada on the global map. With the generous support of our sponsors, we are closer to achieving that goal.” 

Scotiabank is Presenting Sponsor of the first annual Milner Invitational Tournament, while The World’s Oldest Basketball Court organization is the Presenting Sponsor of the banquet dinner featuring a keynote address by Carl English. 

Tickets for the tournament and the dinner are available at rns.cc. “Our plans for the banquet dinner with Carl English were interrupted by the pandemic, so we’re now thrilled to present what we know will be a really enjoyable, motivational evening for all athletes, no matter what sport they play,” says Gay.

The Atlantic Canadian teams will play teams from outside the Maritimes, with a championship game taking place on October 2. The tournament will be run showcase style, with a round-robin format. More details will be available via the RNS Prep Boys Basketball Instagram page.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Heather MacLean
Director of Marketing and Communications
Rothesay Netherwood School
heather.maclean@rns.cc
506-848-0879

ABOUT ROTHESAY NETHERWOOD SCHOOL

Founded in 1877, Rothesay Netherwood School (RNS) is a co-ed boarding and day school for Grades 6 to 12 located in the beautiful, safe community of Rothesay, New Brunswick. RNS offers rigorous academics supported by low student-teacher ratios, a unique daily Advisor Program, and a world-class IB curriculum. Its mission is to provide a nurturing environment where students are empowered to embrace their individuality while pursuing the greater good. For more information, please visit rns.cc.