Next weekB次元官网网址檚 sixth annual Sport Assist golf tournament at Bear Mountain Golf Resort will be the organizationB次元官网网址檚 biggest yet, with a full slate of 216 golfers swinging their clubs to raise money so local kids can afford to play sports.

SportAssist, founded by LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Gerry St. Cyr, funds youth aged five to 18 on an individual basis, removing financial barriers so they can participate in sports. St. Cyr, facility operator at City Centre Park, started the organization seven years ago.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 around recreation 24-7 and I can really see the need and financial struggle from some families, which means some kids were not getting to play sports,B次元官网网址� he says.

B次元官网网址淭here was a young guy that used to carry his hockey bag all the way down the Langford parkway to do drop-in roller hockey,B次元官网网址� he remembers.

St. Cyr looked into it, and found out the kid couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford the league fees. B次元官网网址淚 thought, something has to be done locally here.B次元官网网址�

Since its inception, the number of kids helped by the program has doubled every year, he says. B次元官网网址淣ow people know that weB次元官网网址檙e here. ThereB次元官网网址檚 more of a need for it, but SportAssist is getting more well known around town.B次元官网网址�

St. Cyr says theyB次元官网网址檙e hoping to double last yearB次元官网网址檚 total of $30,000 raised at the golf tournament to keep up with the need from the community.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e kept ahead of the curve so far, but the need keeps growing.B次元官网网址�

Registration for the Sept. 12 tournament is sold out, but organizers are still looking for donated prizes or items for the silent auction.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a need for anything to help raise money,B次元官网网址� St. Cyr says, stressing that all funds raised stay on the West Shore for local kids.

Businesses or individuals interested in supporting the fundraiser can email St. Cyr directly at gerrys37@gmail.com, or visit for more information.

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com