Over 100 Special Olympics Athletes All Smiles At Basketball Championship Qualifier

Over 100 smiling athletes were shooting hoops at the Special Olympics Ontario Basketball School Championships Qualifier at St. Peter’s Secondary School on Thursday.

Grade 9 St. Peter Catholic Secondary School student Alden Francis, 14, is one of over 100 students and 30 teams participating in the Special Olympics Basketball Basketball Championship Qualifier. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

There were 30 teams from seven schools (Norwood District High School, TASSS, Crestwood, Adam Scott, Kenner Collegiate, Holy Cross and St. Peter’s Secondary School) were competing to qualify for the School Provincial Championships held on June 10-12 in Chatham-Kent.

This year’s event had more than last year’s which had 75 athletes. The increase in attendance is a positive sign that sports are growing for Special Olympics athletes according to Ernie Ellement, tournament co-organizer.

“It's great to see the community is jumping on board,” he said. “It's a growing, wonderful sport and we're going to keep it going. Everybody's getting baskets, everybody's been getting smiles and that's what it's all about.”

The athletes were cheered on for every basket made by faculty, spectator students, family and cheerleaders.

St. Peter’s grade 9 student Alden Francis loves the feeling he gets when he scores a basket as it’s not just for himself but benefits his teammates.

“I feel happy and I feel good for my team,” said Francis. “I like teamwork, I love the sport and staying active.”

The athletes displayed tons of sportsmanship toward opposing teams by complimenting their play and giving handshakes after each game.

“They're amazing kids. We all get together as educators and we support our kids and schools every day, day in, day out,” explained Ellement. “We want to make sure that they have the best possible experience when they go to high school or when they participate in the community. We want create opportunities for all of our kids with intellectual disabilities to get together and participate in all these sports, support one another and come away with something.”

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Hoops and Smiles At Special Olympics Basketball Championship Qualifier

Giant smiles dawned on the faces of roughly 75 Special Olympic athletes on the court as they participated in the Special Olympics Ontario Basketball School Championships Qualifier at St. Peter’s Secondary School on Friday.

Mitchell McColl takes his shot from the base line with a little help. McColl is a former Easter Seals Ambassador. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Holy Cross, Crestwood, TASSS, Fenelon Falls Secondary School, St. Thomas Aquinas and host St. Peter’s were the six participating schools taking part in the qualifier.

The opening ceremony consisted of volunteers, teachers and police escorting the athletes down the hallway and into the gymnasium in a grand entrance.

“Every one of those kids in that gym is a champion,” said Ernie Ellement, tournament co-organizer. “It's not about winning or losing. I hate that word, ‘losing.’ We have winners and non-winners. The bottom is, every single one of those kids, they're a winner because they're here, they're playing, they're having fun and that's what it's all about.”

At the end of the day, Special Olympics Ontario gathers the results of the qualifiers and determines what teams advance to the school provincial championships that will be held next spring.

The event is fresh off a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeing friends and being active is what Special Olympics athlete and St. Peter’s student Hannah Goode has been looking forward to as a seven-year veteran of the program.

“I know who I am because I love people a lot,” she explained. “I am one of the leaders, I am one of the examples, I'm a team captain and I'm a good teammate. I help my friends from the program if they need but also I like to help others that have disabilities.”

“Watch the student be a champion on the floor when they score a basket and watch how much they light up,” said Ellement. “You visually see the happiness within them and that's what it's all about.

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Peterborough's Lisa Butler Named Special Olympics Athlete of the Year

COVID-19 may have stopped the 2022 Special Olympics but not Peterborough’s Lisa Butler as she received Ontario Athlete of the Year honours at a ceremony at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel on Nov. 3.

Butler has not missed recording a workout or art project for 50 consecutive weeks according to Special Olympics Canada. Facebook Photo.

Butler competes in cross-country skiing, five-pin bowling, track and field, basketball and swimming. The 48-year-old qualified for the basketball Provincial Games in basketball and cross-country skiing in the World Games. The latter is something she has looked forward to all her life.

“It means a lot,” said Butler. “It shows that all my hard work has paid off. It is what I have wanted more than anything.”

She has been involved in the Special Olympics since 1998. The 24-year Special Olympics veteran trains roughly six times a week. Butler was named to the Special Olympics Team Canada 2022 and is a member of their training squad.

Butler is expected to receive a similar award from Special Olympics Canada at the LIMITLESS: The Special Olympics Canada Gala at Fairmount Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Nov. 18.

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Over $4,500 Raised For Special Olympic Athletes In Charity Lacrosse Game

Over $4,500 was raised at the Cradle for Special Olympics in a friendly lacrosse game between Team Educator/Boro Boys and the Peterborough Lakers at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday.

(From left to right) Kristy Wasson, Bill Chapman and Robert Hope in the ceremonial faceoff before the game between the Team Educator/Boro Boys and Peterborough Lakers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Teachers, the Boro Boys and members of the 1967 undefeated Peterborough PCOs took on the Peterborough Lakers (both past and present) to a 16-16 draw.

Raffles, admission fees and donation boxes contributed to the fundraiser for the one-day event. All proceeds benefit Special Olympic athletes in a variety of ways.

"The money can fund a lot of things,” said Ernie Ellement, Boro Boys founder. “It could be as something as simple as sports equipment to helping some families with registrations."

The annual game was on hold for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic so having the fundraiser was refreshing for Bill Chapman, Special Olympics coordinator.

"The turnout was fantastic," he said. "It was a fundraiser that I've been to like no other. Peterborough is always a community to go to bat for every organization we have.”

The intermission featured shootouts with the Lakers broadcast crew, Peterborough PCO members and Special Olympic athletes.

Players wore special red socks in honour of the Peterborough Red Stockings as they played the first lacrosse game in town in 1872.

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Photos: Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Lit Up The Track At St Peter Secondary School

Students at St. Peter’s Secondary School welcomed students from Crestwood and Holy Cross to their Special Olympic Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) on Wednesday.

LETR is the largest public awareness and grassroots fundraising organization for Special Olympics globally.

“The Peterborough Police Service has been a strong supporter of the torch run for many years now, and over the years have raised 100’s of thousands of dollars,” said Inspector Neil Collins with the Peterborough Police. “The Peterborough Police Service is happy to champion all our athletes and encourage acceptance and inclusion for all.”

Wednesday’s event saw students participating in standing long jump, shotput, 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m races.

They ended the events with the athletes oath ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.’

Following events and speeches, students, teachers and law enforcement carried the torch around St. Peter’s track.

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NHL Alumni Greats Play Against Local Law Enforcement All-Stars In Peterborough This Saturday

Come on out this Saturday (December 8th) and support Special Olympics Ontario while watching NHL alumni greats play against members of the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service and the Law Enforcement All-Stars.

The game takes place at 6 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, and local hockey fans get a chance to meet the likes of former NHLers Curtis Joseph, Marty McSorley, Dave Reid, Mike Krushelnyski and Todd Harvey.

The Law Enforcement All-Stars includes approximately 16 members of Curtis Josephthe Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service.

Fans will also be treated to a skills competition featuring the players—and some on-ice jokes. As presenting sponsor, Scotiabank will give one lucky fan the chance to win a $2,500 investment product in the "Scotiabank Shoot for Cash" between periods.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and the puck drops at 6 p.m. For ticket information, go to Benefithockey.com or call 1-877-431-0685.

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