2024 SportAssist Annual Golf Tournament Celebrating 15 Years of Community, Resilience, and Giving Back

Fifteen years of community, camaraderie, and making a difference! The 2024 SportAssist Annual Golf Tournament marked a massive milestone for us—our 15th anniversary—and it was an absolute triumph.

This year, we brought our milestone celebration to the breathtaking slopes of the Bear Mountain Golf Course in Langford, B.C., Canada. Nestled against Vancouver Island’s stunning natural landscape, the world-class venue provided the perfect, picturesque backdrop for a day dedicated to a great cause. While the West Coast weather decided to throw a little classic B.C. rain our way, it took far more than a few raindrops to dampen the incredible spirits of our golfers, supporters, and friends. If anything, the mist rolling over the fairways only highlighted the warmth, energy, and unshakeable dedication of the amazing community that surrounds SportAssist.

A Very Special Guest: The Power of Determination

The true heart of this year’s event was found off the fairways. We were deeply honored and incredibly fortunate to welcome a truly inspiring special guest: Ryan Straschnitzki, affectionately known to many as “The Straz.”

As many will remember, the devastating Humboldt Broncos bus crash in April of 2018 profoundly shook our nation, tragically claiming 16 lives and injuring 13 others. While the road to recovery has looked different for every survivor, Ryan—who was paralyzed from the chest down—has spent the subsequent years completely redefining what is possible. He has become the absolute definition of determination, resilience, and grace in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. Having Ryan join us on the mountain, share his journey, and bring his unstoppable energy to our tournament was a powerful reminder of why we gather every year: to uplift youth sports and foster that exact spirit of resilience.

Turning Generosity into Action

When it came time to step inside the clubhouse, the energy was electric. Thanks to some fierce, friendly bidding wars and the incredible generosity of our attendees, both the Silent and Live Auctions were a tremendous, roaring success!

The funds raised from these auctions are absolutely vital to our mission. Every single dollar raised goes directly toward breaking down financial barriers and providing much-needed support to youth in need. Because of your open hearts and competitive bidding, we are able to ensure that more local kids get the chance to get off the sidelines, put on a jersey, and experience the life-changing power of sport.

With Heartfelt Gratitude

An event of this magnitude simply doesn’t happen without an incredible village of people working behind the scenes. We want to extend a massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to:

• Our tireless, hard-working volunteers who kept everything running smoothly and kept the smiles bright, even in the rain.
• Our incredibly generous sponsors, whose continued partnership and shared vision make our mission possible year after year.
• Every single golfer, donor, and supporter who brought their A-game, their umbrellas, and their open hearts to Bear Mountain.

“Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” — Nelson Mandela

Thank you all for making our 15th anniversary an unforgettable chapter in the SportAssist story. Together, we proved that not even the weather can stop a community determined to make a difference. Here’s to the next 15 years of changing lives together!