Laconia Kiwanis Free Throw & Jumping High Competition Sponsorship

Irwin Auto Group Backs Laconia Kiwanis Free Throw and Jumping High Competition

Young athletes across the Lakes Region have a chance to show off their basketball skills this January, and Irwin Auto Group wants to make sure every kid walks away with something special. The local dealership group is sponsoring the 4th Annual Laconia Kiwanis Free Throw and Jumping High Competition, giving free knit winter hats to every participant. 

• The free competition takes place Sunday, January 25th, at Laconia Middle School and welcomes boys and girls ages 8-13.
• Irwin Auto Group is providing every child with a new knit winter hat featuring the dealership's name.
• Registration opens at 11:45 a.m., with competition starting at 12:30 p.m., and families get free pizza.

A Free Event for Lakes Region Families

Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 25th. The Kiwanis Club of Laconia is hosting its 4th Annual Free Throw Competition at Laconia Middle School, located at 150 McGrath Street. This year adds a brand new Jumping High Competition running alongside the traditional free-throw contest, so kids get two chances to compete.

Every Lakes Region boy and girl between the ages of 8 and 13 can participate at no cost. Age brackets split competitors into three groups: 8-9 years old, 10-11 years old, and 12-13 years old. Whether your child has been shooting hoops since they could walk or just started playing this season, this competition welcomes all skill levels.

Irwin Auto Group Steps Up for Local Kids

Local sponsorship makes events like this possible, and Irwin Auto Group has stepped up in a big way. Beyond financial support for the competition itself, the dealership group is giving every participating child a brand-new knit winter hat with the Irwin name on it. Given the January timing in New Hampshire, those hats will definitely get some use.

Irwin Auto Group operates Toyota, Lincoln, Hyundai, and Chevrolet dealerships in the area. When local businesses invest in events that get kids active and bring families together, everybody wins. It's the kind of hometown support that keeps youth programs running year after year.

What Families Need to Know

Registration starts at 11:45 a.m., with warm-ups happening shortly after. Competition kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Walk-ins are absolutely welcome, so if you decide last-minute to bring your kids, just show up. That said, pre-registering has its perks. Early registrants receive a free gift while supplies last.

Pre-registration is simple. Text 603-630-5531 or email kiwanishoop@gmail.com to get your child signed up ahead of time. You can also scan the QR code on the official event flyer or visit the Laconia Kiwanis website for more details.

And yes, there's free pizza for competitors and their families. Bringing siblings along? Everyone eats. South End Pizza and Seafood is among the sponsors making that happen.

Where the Money Goes

All proceeds from this event benefit the Lou Athanas Basketball League, which has been getting kids on the court and teaching them the game for years. The Kiwanis Club of Laconia runs multiple programs throughout the year that help local children, including literacy visits, bike safety programs, and scholarships for graduating seniors.

Youth sports teach kids teamwork, how to handle both winning and losing, and the value of practice and preparation. Free-throw shooting builds focus and composure under pressure, and those are skills that transfer well beyond the basketball court. Ask any coach, and they'll tell you the same thing.

Weather Backup Plan

New Hampshire weather in late January can be unpredictable, so the organizers have built in a snow date. If conditions force a postponement, the competition will move to Sunday, February 1st, at the same location and time. Keep an eye on local announcements if winter weather looks threatening that weekend.

Get Your Kids on the Court

Free entry, free pizza, a free winter hat courtesy of Irwin Auto Group, and a chance to compete against other young athletes from across the Lakes Region. Events like this are what make winter in New Hampshire a little more enjoyable for families with active kids.

Grab your basketball, practice those free throws, and bring the whole family to Laconia Middle School on January 25th. Your kids might surprise you with what they can do when the pressure is on.

For event details and registration information, visit the Laconia Kiwanis website.