Young girl killed last summer while riding bike

Print

E-mail

Text

The life of a popular seven-year-old girl who was killed after being hit by a vehicle while riding her bike on her Scarborough street will be remembered through an annual soccer tournament and a police traffic safety initiative.

Victoria Jones was struck by a van while riding her bike through a crosswalk in the Warden and Sheppard avenues area on Aug. 28 last year.

Emerson Larmond, coach of the Malvern Soccer Association team that Victoria played on, approached club executives earlier this year about the prospect of hosting a tournament in her memory.

The idea was met with overwhelming approval from the club and the Victoria Jones Memorial Tournament will take place on Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Malvern Community Centre. This year's tourney will feature players from the Malvern club, but plans are underway to include teams from other soccer clubs in the future.

Larmond, who currently coaches Victoria's four siblings, said the tourney will provide a safety message for other youngsters and serve as a tribute to Victoria and her soccer skills.

"I'm hoping this (tournament) shows the kids what kind of precautions they should be taking when they are out there," he said. "And at the same time, this is to remember Victoria and the passion she showed for the game. The thing I remember most about Victoria, she was a very passionate player, one of the best players on my boys team.

"She had this drive about her, she was a tremendous athlete."