2024 Tournament Rules

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In the summer of 2016, Gianluca was supposed to join his friends in taking part in a men's softball league. After his passing, his friends continued on in his memory by following through with their intentions of joining the league. In fact, the team was named in Gianluca's honour - Yian was the nickname used by Gianluca's close friends. 

In 2017, two of Gianluca's close friends approached the Cellucci family with the idea to begin a fundraising tournament in Gianluca's honour, thus beginning "Gianluca's Gift".

The Gianluca's Gift Softball Tournament benefits the residential program at 360°kids. 360°kids is a charitable organization that provides an array of programs and supports for at-risk and homeless youth in York Region. Its aim is to help isolated and vulnerable youth and families in the local community to overcome adversity and crisis and to move to a state of safety, stability and wellbeing.

Proceeds from the tournament were used to set up an outdoor program at 360°kids in Gianluca's honour -- Gianluca’s Northern Camp Adventure. Gianluca loved the great outdoors and was able to take part in many outdoor adventures, including fishing, hiking, and of course camping. The partnership with 360°kids was a chance to provide youth with an experience they might not otherwise had access to.  This program provides a group of underprivileged youth in 360°kids' residential homes with the opportunity to take part in a three-day northern camp adventure. Included in the program are a series of outdoor activities as well as life skills development. 

As well, the tournament is now supporting 360°kids’ iGrad Program by providing the funding required for two high school credits, Health for Life, and Leadership and Peer Support. These courses will engage youth in outdoor experiential learning activities that move beyond the classroom through a partnership with Trails Youth Initiatives. These courses will prepare students to act in leadership and peer support roles, and enable them to examine the factors that influence their own health practices and behaviours, as well as, those factors that contribute to the development of healthy communities.