Representing Canadian kids media companies including 9 Story Media Group, CBC Kids, Blue Ant Studios, Spin Master and Guru Studio, 22 teams got together in Toronto last night for a fun night of bowling hosted by the Youth Media Alliance.

The fundraising event earned CAD$1,750 that will be put towards YMA scholarships and other projects spearheaded by the industry org, which pivoted to bowling for the first time this year after a long-running series of annual dodgeball tournaments. The refreshing change was well-received by the event’s participants, as were the free drinks and taco buffet that were included with team registrations.

Sphere Media’s Team 1 (pictured) took first place with the most wins and strikes. And despite a slow start and several gutter balls thrown by SVP & Publisher Jocelyn Christie (not to mention the ball she accidentally released backwards), Team Kidscreen fared pretty well in the end, too, winning two out of three games and taking third place. Seven YMA volunteers also decided that Blue Ant Studios had the night’s best flag and best cheer with their remixed version of “The Ants Go Marching.”

All told, there were 88 tourney participants and more than 100 people in attendance. “Our industry desperately needs these precious moments to get together, exchange ideas and forge links around the values of sport,” said France Martin, YMA’s executive director. “We were delighted that all the major players turned out for this event, which was a success.”

Image courtesy of the Youth Media Alliance.