Last weekend, the National Ringette League's Waterloo Wildfire held their third annual three-on-three tournament to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Fourteen teams participated in the tournament, with eight playing in a competitive round robin and six in recreational play.

And while the entire Wildfire team knows the importance of the event, as a fundraiser for both the team and the charity, one player has a more personal connection with it.

At the age of 17, Lindsey Vivian was diagnosed with diabetes.

The young woman was uncertain of what her future would be in terms of an active life, especially in regards to her favourite sport, ringette.

"At first the news was pretty overwhelming, especially in terms of sports," she said.

Vivian was unsure of what her future would be in active life and didn't know whether or not she could follow her dream of playing in the NRL.

But in time she found that the disease was manageable as long as she kept on top of it.

"With constant monitoring and getting to know how your body will react to physical activity it becomes manageable," she said.

Vivian moved to Waterloo for university at the age of 19.

She studies business administration with a specialization in accounting at Wilfrid Laurier University.

When she's not studying, the Mitchell, Ont., native plays centre for the Wildfire.

The 21-year-old has played ringette since she was six years old, and says she still loves the game.

Vivian likes the level of skill in the NRL and said it's a huge jump from local ringette leagues.

"I like the competition playing in the NRL. It's definitely different from playing in the lower levels," she said.

She believes the sport is misunderstood and often incorrectly compared to hockey.

"It's really a team-oriented game and very strategic," she said. "A lot of people relate it to hockey because it's played on ice, but it's really more of a mix between basketball and lacrosse."

Her love of the game has translated into charitable work, and for the last three years Vivian has played a vital role in organizing the three-on-three tournament.

In fact, the whole thing was her idea.

"This was really her brainchild," said Gerry Kraemer, general manager of the Wildfire. "She's worked tirelessly to help out with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation."

The tournament started small, with only five teams participating.

The first year the foundation didn't even know it was going on, Vivian said.

"It was a surprise donation," she said. "But we've grown."

The work has grown, too.

Vivian starts work on the project in March and spends a fair amount of time each week getting ready.

But in the last few weeks the work really piles on.

"I just try to make sure all the teams know what's going on," said Vivian, who estimated she spent about three hours a day in the last week getting ready for the tournament

The first event raised about $350, while last year's tournament made closer to $800.

The team had high hopes for this year, which had the largest field yet.

And Vivian didn't only organize the tournament -- she played in it, too.

Her team made it to the competitive division finals, but lost to a team from Cambridge.

In the recreational division, a Hamilton team took the championship.

The Wildfire are hoping that the event grows again next year because it has become a boon for the team's coffers as well.

"This has given us an opportunity not only to donate money to (charity), but to raise some money for the team in the off-season," Kraemer said.

As for Vivian, she said she's glad that the tournament is over because she is taking a summer semester at school.

Now she's concentrating on getting ready for exams, she said.