‘Pay it forward’: Paul Gill Memorial Fishing derby returns to Brockville’s Hardy Park to support local youth in sport
Brockville anglers and community members alike are invited to the third annual Paul Gill Memorial Fishing Derby for a fun day of fishing and family activities later this month.
The event is organized by Their Opportunity, an organization that operates locally and Canada-wide to help break down barriers for youth wishing to participate in sport.
Founded in 2009 by Brockville native Randy Gill, son of the late Paul Gill, the organization has grown from helping local families to now supporting 100,000 kids in every Canadian province and territory.
“The vision behind starting the organization was when I came to realize, as an adult, that I was supported through my sport and recreation endeavours throughout my life and career… I just I didn’t realize that I was getting so much support from my community until I became an adult,” Gill told Brockvilleist.
Another crucial part of the organization is their Giveback Program, where every child who receives funds or support are asked to ‘pay it forward’ within their community through volunteering.
“My dad was all about that, you know, and that’s why we’re doing this fishing derby… and recognizing him: a man that was giving everything of his life to his community to serve others and really, kind of, cheer on the underdog,” Gill explained.
“So when we started Their Opportunity, we want to make sure that was part of our DNA as well to make sure that all the kids that we’re supporting know how to give back and serve others.”
Saturday, July 25, 2026, will mark the third annual Paul Gill Memorial Fishing Derby. Many in the Brockville community referred to Paul Gill as Uncle Paul, as he was an advocate in the sports community and a avid fisherman, who coached across multiple different sports.
The fishing derby includes a fishing competition on the St. Lawrence River, taking off from Hardy Park at 6 a.m., and returning around 2 p.m. Prizes will be given out to the biggest in-season fish, excluding carp, in a youth category, an adult category and an over 65 category. Additionally, there’s a prize for the biggest bass catch. Prizes will be provided by presenting sponsor, Yeti.
The fishing derby is free entry for youth, $75 for a single fisher, or $175 for a boat with two to four anglers.
“Our goal is each year to increase what’s happening at the festival, increase what how many boats we have. We’re going to have about 25 to 30 boats this year, so that’s a nice little uptick,” Gill shared.
“Hopefully by year five we’ll be up to 40 or 50 boats, and then we just want to be able to take over that whole park area and do a festival for a day or two, and not just the derby, as we evolve.”
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members can join the free festivities at Hardy Park. This will include a bouncy castle, kids’ games, a pizza oven, and a musical performance by Amanda Keeley from 12 to 2 p.m.
Additionally, throughout the day kids will have the opportunity to learn how to fish.
“So we’ll have some instructors and some folks that are volunteering to help kids know how bait a hook, throw a throw a cast, and it’s super fun for the whole family to be involved,” said Gill.
All the proceeds from the event will go toward local youth who have qualified for Their Opportunity programming for any sport across Brockville and the surrounding Leeds and Grenville area.
Through the first two years of this event, Their Opportunity has been able to raise $65,000 to help over 200 local youth break down barriers and participate in physical health and wellness programs.
Visit the Their Opportunity website to register as an angler for the fishing derby, make a donation or learn more.