The inaugural Fox Valley Special Recreation Association 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament seemingly formed like a fluid fast break.

The Aurora-based organization’s foundation sought a summer fundraiser to complement its winter and spring events, and foundation intern Olivia Stapleton brought four years of girls basketball playing experience at Naperville North to go with a background in organizing.

“It’s a different season, and it’s a more friendly environment and something that you’re not limiting yourself through your audience,” Stapleton said. “We provide programs for people all the time, so why not do it again and, you know, bring money together and raise money doing it so we can continue to do that.”

Games tip off at 9 a.m. July 30 at the Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora, and last until approximately 3 p.m. Team registration costs $80 for up to four players, and includes an event T-shirt. The tournament welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities, including co-ed teams. Brackets are planned for those ages 10 and younger; those 11 and 12; 13 through 15; 16 and 17; and 18 and older. To register, visit www.fvsrfoundation.org/3on3.

In addition, the tournament will include a division for special recreation athletes.

“Our Special Olympic teams can put teams together and come out and play, hopefully with some of the other special recreation associations around the northern part of Illinois,” Fox Valley Special Recreation Association Executive Director Carolyn Nagle said.

Founded in 1976 and also based at the Vaughan Athletic Center, the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association provides leisure services to residents with disabilities. The Fox Valley Special Recreation Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that supports the association’s mission.

Stapleton, entering her junior year as a hospitality management and event programming student at Clemson University, has provided a welcome fit.

“Our foundation, which supports individuals with special needs, is always looking for opportunities to enhance the amount of funds that we have to support Fox Valley Special Recreation Association,” Nagle said. “So when we had the opportunity to have Olivia with us this summer as an intern, and we are currently without a foundation manager position, we thought we’d give her some tasks that would put her on some new events and opportunities to raise the money.”

Still active with basketball through intramurals at Clemson, Stapleton has harnessed some of her energy from the court to coordinate the event. She’s been pleased with interest in the tournament since registration opened June 19, and is ultimately optimistic about its long-term future.

“This is kind of an idea that we just went for, so we’ve been working on a tight timeline, but so far, so good,” Stapleton said. “We’ve had a lot of feedback from the community showing a lot of interest, and right now we’re just really looking to get out and promote it as much as we can and turn that interest into people actually signing up and coming out to the event. So, I feel really confident about it.”

For more information, email olivias@fvsra.org or call 630-907-1114.