MMBRA Takes on the North: Snowstorms, Sing-Alongs & Community Hoops

November 7-9, 2025

Last weekend, two MMBRA crews packed their bags, their whistles, and (apparently) a questionable car, and headed north for a pair of unforgettable basketball trips. Between snowstorms, mysterious car noises, K-Pop musicals, and community connections, our officials got a full northern experience.

Waskaganish Adventure: “We’ll Make It Okay” – A Canadian Tire Promise

At midnight on Thursday, November 7, Greg Southward, Shaun Pearce, François Loignon, and Neda Nowshad rolled out of Montreal and began the 12-hour drive to Waskaganish for a Cree community basketball tournament.

Everything was fine until Mont-Laurier, where the crew was greeted by a snowstorm that forced them to crawl their way north. Then, because no road trip is complete without mechanical suspense, a loud vibrating noise started coming from the rear left tire.

By the time they reached Amos, the crew made two essential stops:

1) Canadian Tire, where the employee investigated the noise and delivered his professional verdict: “You’ll make it okay.”

2) Tim Hortons, where the crew fueled up on Timbits—an equally important form of mechanical reassurance.

With both morale and Timbits restored, the crew continued through the storm and eventually reached Waskaganish around 3 p.m. Friday.

The tournament featured teams from Waskaganish, Chisasibi, Mistissini, Nemaska, Waswanipi, Fort Albany (Ontario), and Moose Factory (Ontario). The atmosphere was electric and the hospitality outstanding.

During their downtime, the crew watched K Pop Demon Hunters on Netflix—leading to a full sing-along session to the soundtrack on the drive home. (MMBRA musical coming soon.)

The car issue? The local garage was closed for the weekend, so no luck. But the noise mysteriously disappeared on the way back. After plowing through yet another snowstorm, the crew finally arrived in Montreal around 11 a.m. on Monday.

A memorable northern mission.

Kujjuarapik: Coaching, Connecting, and Cold Weather

Meanwhile, farther up the coast, Max Audette and Anthony Perrichet flew to Kujjuarapik for a men’s Jamboree bringing together Inuit communities from across Hudson Bay.

Six coaches and two referees from the south joined the event to teach, mentor, and share their passion for basketball. Max and Anthony helped run drills, covered 101-level officiating concepts, and built meaningful connections with participants from multiple villages.

The goal was simple: provide enough knowledge for each participant to return home and help grow basketball in their community. By the end, players and officials alike were sharper, more confident, and inspired for the season ahead.

Weather-wise? Snow and cold—already in midseason form.

A Weekend That Defines MMBRA

Two trips, two northern destinations, countless stories. Whether coaching in Kujjuarapik or dodging snowstorms on the way to Waskaganish, our officials once again showed the commitment, resilience, and sense of humour that define the MMBRA.

And remember: if you ever hear a loud vibrating noise on a long road assignment? Don’t panic. According to Canadian Tire…

“You’ll make it okay.”