Remembering an inclusive personality: Tyler Grummett Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Game

Tyler Grummett’s memory lives on in the heart of the Niagara basketball community.

The latest reminder of that came Saturday when a wheelchair basketball game was held in memory of the talented and outgoing Fonthill teenager, who took his own life in the spring of 2015.

The fourth annual game, between a group of Tyler’s friends and the nine-member Pelham wheelchair team, is the brainchild of Tyler’s friend, Rhys Evans, a wheelchair player.

“I was good friends with Tyler when he passed away and I was looking for something to remember him with because he was a big component of wheelchair basketball,” Evans said.

Tyler was a referee, opponent and eventually the person who pushed Evans’ wheelchair during games.

“What I loved about him was that, regardless of a person’s ability, he was an inclusive personality and that’s what his parents should be most proud of,” Evans said. “When I think about Tyler, he was an inclusive person who wanted people to succeed.”

He described Tyler as a special person.

“He loved the game and his personality within the game was infectious,” Evans said. “The way he conducted himself as a player and and referee was nothing but professionalism and class.”

Mackenzie Bronn, a 20-year-old Niagara College student and friend of Tyler’s, helps get the word out about the event and plays every year.

“It’s fun and I know Tyler loved this,” he said. “He would come out and play and, for him, it was so much fun to be a part of the game and helping others in a different aspect of the game.”

The game is an important tradition for Bronn and others.

“It’s a way for us to continue it forward for him and it is a comfort for us,” he said.

Bronn played played multiple sports with Tyler and loved the talented basketball player’s personality.

“It was his outgoingness,” he said. “He always had a smile on his face and he was one of those guys who would walk through the halls and brighten everyone’s day. It was really  incredible to see how much he could lift everybody up.”

Tyler is never far from his memory.

“I think of him every day. I know there are times when I am driving to school and I will see something that will trigger a memory.”

The annual wheelchair game is a fun event, but both teams want to win and everyone remembers who has won the game in previous years.

“It’s very competitive because this game has been going on for four years,” Evans said.

When the game ends, the participants gather for pizza and pop provided by the Fonthill Kinsmen. Tyler’s sister, Sydney, played in Saturday’s game and his father, Paul, coached.

“My job is to come here and chirp,” Paul said, with a smile.

The Grummett family also organizes a golf tournament in Tyler honour. This year’s event will be played Sunday, June 23 at Thundering Waters. All proceeds from the event are donated to mental health initiatives. Since it’s inception, it has raised nearly $25,000.

“It’s nice because we know where the money is going. It is going to help kids with mental health issues,” Paul said.

The Pelham wheelchair team plays every Saturday from October to March at E.L Crosley from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The opposition is different community, sports or school groups.

“We want people to realize that just because we have disabilities we’re people as well,” Evans said.