There’s no word on whether they’ll be bringing their toys with them in addition to their clubs, but the Hanson brothers will supply some celebrity flair when they tee it up at the eighth annual Sport Assist golf tournament on Sept. 16.
The trio from the 1970s hockey comedy Slapshot will be among the foursomes to take part in the fundraiser at Olympic View.
Those not playing in the tournament have a chance to meet the bruising ex-Charlestown Chiefs during a meet-and-greet and autograph session the night before at the City Centre Grill next to Langford Lanes from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
“They’ve been kind of doing this for the last 25 years and they were more than happy to come out, play some golf and talk about what they did in the movie,” said Gerry St. Cyr, the founder of Sport Assist and a friend of one of the “Hansons,” Jeff Carlson.
Funds raised from the golf tournament will go towards the Langford-based charity, which aims to give every child a chance to participate in organized sports.
St. Cyr has seen the organization develop from a small operation that assisted 10 children in its first year to one that now helps over 100 kids pursue their sports passion.
Prior to founding the charity, St. Cyr saw that it was a struggle for some West Shore parents to afford to put their kids in sports. He sought to change that.
“Just seeing some kids struggling to play sports, I just kind of felt that it was on me to get involved somehow and see how I can help, since it’s something that I’m around every day,” said St. Cyr, who is also facility operator at City Centre Park.
“There’s definitely a desperate need for it … we need to always stay ahead and make sure that we’re raising enough money to help these kids. Whether it’s five, six, seven or eight more each year, that number just keeps growing.”
While St. Cyr says he isn’t able to connect with all of the families that receive aid through the program, he does hear back from many of the organization’s recipients.
“We get letters, we get parents calling in … we have kids that have certain disabilities; this is an outlet for them that really lets them focus on their day-to-day,” he said.
“We know that we’re doing good out there. It keeps you going when you hear these stories.”
Anyone who is looking to volunteer during the tournament can contact organizers via e-mail at info@sportassist.ca. For any other information, visit sportassist.ca online.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com