Table Tennis Tournament Raises Funds for BC Children’s Hospital

The COMPCONNECT Sports Association hosted a thrilling and heartwarming table tennis tournament, PING for BC Kids, at the COSPORTS Badminton & Table Tennis Club on May 25, 2024. This event brought together table tennis enthusiasts from various cities across British Columbia to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s RISE for BC Kids initiative. The tournament aimed to raise $3000 to aid the development of the Virtual Food Allergy Immunotherapy Pilot Program (FIAT), the first nurse-supported virtual platform for food allergy immunotherapy in Canada. At the end of the event, we had exceeded our goal and raised a total of $4000!

Event Organization and Leadership

The tournament was expertly organized by Sofia, a first-year student at Simon Fraser University (SFU), alongside all directors (Andrew, David, Maggie, Mao) that made this event successful. Her dedication and leadership were instrumental in coordinating the event, ensuring that it ran smoothly and successfully. Sofia’s efforts exemplify the spirit of community involvement and the impact that young leaders can have on meaningful causes.

Tournament Highlights and Community Impact

The PING for BC Kids tournament welcomed players of all skill levels, fostering an inclusive and enthusiastic atmosphere. Participants represented their cities, competing in teams distinguished by colors. The cities included Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver (Red team); Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge (Blue team); Burnaby, New Westminster (Green team); Richmond, Delta (Black team); Surrey, Langley, White Rock (Purple team); and other cities (Yellow team). At the end of the event, the team color with the most placements was awarded the Top Color Award trophy, which will be held for the year.

The event not only featured competitive matches but also provided a platform for spreading awareness about the FIAT program, which aims to combat food allergies among children and transform their lives positively. At least 30% of the entry fees were dedicated to the fundraising goal, and additional contributions were encouraged through raffle tickets and direct donations to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Volunteer and Community Involvement

The success of the event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of numerous volunteers, especially our volunteer Lead, Serena Wang, who delegated tasks and maintained order from within the team. Volunteers undertook various roles such as scorekeeping, reception, raffle ticket management, and photography. Volunteer training sessions were held prior to the event to ensure smooth operations. The volunteers’ commitment was recognized through awards, including the Volunteer of the Event, highlighting individuals who exhibited fairness, compassion, and enthusiasm.

Looking Forward

COMPCONNECT Sports Association, known for its dedication to community engagement through sports, successfully created an event that not only showcased the talents of table tennis players but also contributed to a meaningful cause. By raising awareness and funds for the FIAT program, PING for BC Kids exemplified the organization’s mission to inspire, engage, and give back to the community. As the event concluded with smiles and trophies, the true victory lay in the collective effort to support the health and well-being of children in British Columbia.

For more information about the cause and to contribute, please visit the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s official website.

Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding future events or volunteer opportunities, please reach out to COMPCONNECT Sports Association via email.