It was a morning of connection and inspiration as more than 700 attendees turned up bright and early to support UBC's student athletes at the 2025 KPMG Thunderbird Scholarship Breakfast. Now, in it's 26th year, this hugely successful event kicked off on Tuesday, raising $625 thousand dollars for Thunderbird athlete scholarships. 

The KPMG Thunderbird Scholarship Breakfast is the biggest athletic fundraiser of its kind in all of Canada. Since it began, back in 1999, the breakfast has raised more than $15 million dollars for student-athlete scholarships and awards. These funds are vital to helping UBC varsity programs attract the top athletic talent, provide a world-class education and create championship winning teams.



"The KPMG Thunderbird Scholarship Breakfast plays a pivotal role in the success of our UBC programs," says Kavie Toor, Managing Director, Athletics & Recreation. "The success our athletes continue to achieve on the field of play and in the classroom, is a direct reflection on the time, mentorship and financial support we receive through our alumni, and business and community leaders who make up our Thunderbird community. It is always so powerful to be able to experience the wave of positive energy that radiated from the crowd at this year's breakfast."




The keynote speaker for this year's breakfast was longtime CBC Olympic host and legendary broadcaster, Scott Russell. Russell's unparalleled enthusiasm for amateur sport shone through as he addressed the crowd, and as he invited three of UBC's Olympians on stage to join him for a panel discussion. The panel included Olympic silver and bronze medalist Rugby 7's star, Charity Williams, two-time Olympian and World Champion swimmer, Finlay Knox, and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist rower, Hillary Janssens. 



"Scott Russell delivered such a phenomenal keynote. He is a true storyteller, and he brought to life the incredible journeys of some of UBC's most successful student athletes - Hillary, Finlay and Charity," says Toor. "Together, they captivated the room with their powerful stories of perseverance, dedication and success. Morning's like this one remind us all of the strength of our community and the power of sport to inspire."



The success of the morning wouldn't have been possible without the Scholarship Breakfast's title sponsor, KPMG, and the speaker sponsor, Victory Creative Group.
 
Thank you to everyone who supported the 2025 KPMG Thunderbird Scholarship Breakfast!

If you are interested in supporting UBC's student athletes, consider donating to the newly-established Marilyn Pomfret Memorial Award for Women in Athletics. This endowment will further elevate women's sports and create more opportunities for female student athletes and coaches.