About GBPH
GBPH is a marquis roller hockey event hosted by The 949 Roller Hockey Center in Irvine, CA and an all volunteer group of inspired organizers whose Hockey With A Heart spirit is the foundation of this annual event. At the base of our foundation is the heart of one very special young lady, Mary Quayle. Creating the tournament concept, its theme and then coordinating it's organization was all Mary’s idea starting in 2007.

Mary, then a soon-to-be senior at Mater Dei High School and long-time hockey player, wanted to do a community service project for school credit and do something around hockey. She saw a Give Blood Play Hockey bumper sticker, and the idea was born. The GBPH concept also had a special meaning to Mary; earlier in the year, her grandfather passed away after battling a rare form of cancer. At the end of his battle, he was receiving 3 pints of blood a week. Give Blood inspired Mary for the opportunity of also creating a blood drive to replace what he used, and give even more back to the community. Play Hockey also served Mary's own passion for playing hockey, and from her tournament experience she knew it could make money - in this case, proceeds which would further help the community. 

Mary approached her high school hockey club with the GBPH tournament idea and quickly gained their acceptance. As with any good idea, Mary soon discovered there were hurdles to overcome and a long list of what-ifs to be researched and solutions defined. Undaunted, Mary took up the challenge along with members of her hockey clubs and teams, and her parents, Dale and Peggy. 

Through the team members and their parental support, the organization began to take form and the concept began to blossom. By the late Spring of 2007, committees were formed, tasks assigned and the concept began to take shape. Seeking to fill in the blanks, Mary and her band of volunteers made all the necessary connections to help make her idea for the Give Blood - Play Hockey Inline Hockey Charity Tournament 2007 a reality. 

"Hockey has given a great deal to me and my family. We’ve enjoyed this sport immensely and through this effort we all have a chance to give something back to the community, says Mary.

Today, Mary's passion for the community and drive to succeed can be demonstrated by what is quickly becoming a marquis event in the Southern California hockey community. In 2007, roller hockey teams from across California and even nearby states began expressing their intent to participate. Mary's hopes to raise over $35,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), a blood drive capable of donations exceeding 100 pints to the Orange County Blood Bank, and drive awareness and funds to benefit a young hockey player stricken with ALD, Evan Cousineau, were well within reach. Following the tournament and tally, Mary Quayle and her many supporters and volunteers succeeded last year in raising $32,000 for the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and 107 pints of life-giving blood in a blood drive for the Orange County Blood Bank as well as $1,000 for Evan. 

"Not only is this going to be a great tournament with terrific competition, the cause alone will be worth the registration fee," says Mary. "We are very encouraged by the increasing level of response from the business community in providing corporate sponsors and reception by our our hockey playing community so far is proving to be quite exciting. We are expecting all divisions to fill fast. And, with only days left before the 2008 event, we already have 65 registered teams!"

Please join us at the Give Blood - Play Hockey Inline Hockey Charity Tournament 


Thank you,
Mary Quayle

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