Community tackles 10th annual #LIVELIKE23 tournament

By Lethbridge Herald on February 17, 2026.

Herald photo by JOE MANIO A Misfits player tries to dodge a Flags to Riches defender diving for his flag while carrying the ball, showcasing agility and teamwork during a spirited early game of the 10th annual #LiveLike23 Tournament on Saturday at Servus Sports Centre.

By Joe Manio 

Lethbridge Herald 

From early morning until evening, LaVonne Rideout and son Brett Ferguson moved between both fields at the Servus Sports Centre on Saturday, answering questions and checking schedules. Nearby, other family members ran registration, staffed merch tables, served as medics, and helped wherever needed.

For the family of  Ramias the annual flag football tournament is more than a sports event. It’s how they continue showing up for Brock — together; gathering from across southern Alberta and as far north as Edmonton. 

Sports teams are often called families where your teammates become part of your hyper-extended family. Each year Ramias sports family gathers to celebrate life and legacy.

“One of Brock’s superpowers was his relationships,” said  Rideout, Ramias mother. “He loved football, of course, but it was really about the connections he made with people. This event is about celebrating those connections, playing hard and fair, having fun and keeping his spirit alive. Seeing people return year after year is really special, and the scholarship in his name? Brock would have been so proud.”

The 10th annual #LiveLike23 Tournament filled both indoor fields from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., drawing a record 14 teams. Ten years ago, Rideout launched the event to honor her son — a young athlete remembered for his energy, kindness, and love of sport.

 Ramias, a graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI) carried his passion for teamwork and friendship everywhere he went. His motto, #LiveLike23, reflects how he lived: with heart, humor, loyalty, and a love of sport — a call to action for participants to bring those same values onto the field and into their lives.

The tournament included a Peewee Division for younger players and adult games, with mixed teams of men and women, boys and girls. Players of all ages and skill levels rotated across the fields, reflecting the inclusivity and connection Brock embodied.

“I think what keeps people coming back is the overall vibe we try to create,” said Ferguson, Ramia’s  brother. “We want all the family to be here, with multiple divisions and activities, good food and a chance for everyone to connect. Competition is part of it, but Brock’s spirit is felt all day. People who weren’t immediate family have become part of this extended family — they come back every year, and it really does feel like one big, connected community.”

Among the record 14 teams was “Flags to Riches,” made up of Ramia’s family and friends — including former teammates who return not just to compete, but to remember.

While the games are competitive, the focus has always been connection and joy. The day culminates in the Mexican Fiesta, one of Brock’s favorite traditions where players, families, and volunteers celebrate with food, laughter, and shared stories.

The $500 team registration includes the evening social, while families and supporters can attend for a nominal fee. A silent auction, supported by local businesses, raises funds for the scholarship established in Brock’s name. 

That scholarship supports LCI who embody the same qualities Brock carried: teamwork, leadership, and commitment to community. Ferguson said the near-term goal is to make it self-sustaining with plans to expand eligibility to other local high schools.

Longtime friend Coal Clark captured the day’s meaning.

“This day fills my cup more than I can say. All my high school friends come out to play, and I know Brock would be smiling. He’d be so proud of everything we’ve done. This tournament lives in his spirit — yes, it’s competitive but it’s also about showing up the way Brock did and celebrating the game he loved.”

The atmosphere felt much like a reunion as a tournament. Family and friends embraced between games. Volunteers family members tended score, auction and food tables— keeping everything running seamlessly. 

For many, the tournament has become a February tradition — a date circled on the calendar not out of obligation, but love.

Ten years on #LiveLike23 embodies a shared commitment — carried by a family that refuses to let Brock’s light fade and by a community that keeps showing up. It’s a way to live with heart, humor, loyalty, and passion like Brock did.

The tournament lasts a day. The legacy endures.