Premiere Studio of Dance Takes Home Top Dance Honours

At the Bedazzled Dance Championships held at Showplace last weekend, Premiere Studio of Dance managed to win top honours in both the solo/duet/trio categories and group section.

This is the first time the studio has won this competition—with over 675 routines taking the stage. 

Special congratulations goes out to Madison Sheward for winning the top solo with her contemporary routine "Uninhabited Light." The senior dancers also won top group with the routine "Misery" choreographed by Meaghan Sheppard (which also took home an award for top choreography of the entire competition). 

Overall, the weekend was a great success. These routines and more will be taking the stage at Showplace in the Shine Dance Competition taking place April 14th to 17th. Admission is free. Come out and support some amazing local talent!

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Learn more about Premiere Dance on their Facebook page or website.

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The Beautiful Impact Soccer Has Had On A 12-Year-Old Peterborough Boy With Autism

It's a cold, winter Sunday morning on the western edge of Peterborough, Ontario, at the Spiplex Sports Complex. At first glance, you might not notice 12-year-old Keir Lewin among the other pre-teens crashing around the indoor field, during a game for the Peterborough Youth Indoor Soccer Club (P.Y.I.S.C.).

But, there is a difference.

Keir with one of his heroes Ronaldo on his wall

Even if we told you that Keir's dreams were: to play professional soccer, to meet a FIFA star (Neymar, Ronaldo and Messi are his faves), and to have a girlfriend—you might not realize how different Keir is from the other kids on the field today. 

See, Keir is autistic. And, at age 12, this is his very first year in any organized sport club. It has taken almost six years to get to the stage where he can participate successfully in this environment.

His mom, Michelle, remembers the struggles of placing Keir in city summer camps in past years: "He always loved soccer," she tells PTBOCanada, "but it has not always been easy for Keir to find his way through the physical and the social obstacles, in a good game of soccer!"

Keir (at far left) in action at Spiplex

Keir used to attend summer camp only because of the aid of a one-on-one care person—a considerable financial, as well as social, burden. "Thank goodness for organizations like Autism Ontario, TriCounties and Community Living," Michelle tells PTBOCanada. "We wouldn't have made it to where we are without them!" 

Keir was diagnosed late—at age seven—with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This journey is unique for each person, but in Keir's case it meant years of debilitating seizures, developmental delays and motor-skills challenges. Keir still works hard to integrate with kids his age, and to pick up on the subtle social cues that make everyday life manageable for most typical pre-teens.

This is a life-long commitment for his family, not just a temporary stop on the journey. "Autism at the higher-functioning level is a somewhat hidden burden," Michelle tells PTBOCanada.

However, "I believe Keir is capable of just about anything," Michelle says. "My goal is to help him find his way, as a person living with autism in a non-autistic world."

Keir lives at home with his mom and his nine year old brother, Chris. Keir's mom is his core support system and his biggest cheering squad, since Keir's dad—a trained chef who used to run the Fridge Cafe at the Peterborough YMCA—passed away over two years ago.

It has been, understandably, a tricky transition for the family. "I guess three is the magic number, like Jack Johnson sang," says Michelle. "We're doing OK, and we are held up by angels in our community every day. It is a marathon, but I believe we're unstoppable."
 

Michelle pictured with Keir and Chris

Keir functions in his school setting—in Grade 7 at Prince of Wales Public School in Peterborough—with the assistance of an Educational Assistant, Scott Mountenay. “Keir has been on an exponential trajectory,” Mountenay says. “Every year his endurance and his strength have improved. And playing soccer is helping his concentration. He now sits for longer periods of time at his desk before he needs a break.”

When Keir needs a change of scene, Scott lets him burn off steam by kicking a soccer ball or playing floor hockey in the gym. “Scott is one of my best friends,” says Keir. 

Keir's biggest concern upon starting his new soccer endeavour in the indoor league? "I worried that I wouldn't be that good. These soccer guys have a lot of practice; I don't," he says.
 
Watching Keir in his first game this past October was an amazing moment for his mom: "Believe it or not, he got the only goal in his first game! And his coach named him M.V.P.," she recalls. "I almost lost it, I was so overwhelmed." His coach, Gord Dawson, has worked hard with Keir's mom from the start, and most importantly helped to establish a culture of inclusiveness in the game.

Keir in action at Spiplex

"The entire P.Y.I.S.C. organization has found ways to welcome us," Michelle tells PTBOCanada. "The greatest feeling for me during the game is when Keir gets his foot on the ball, and I start hearing other voices from the stands calling, 'Go, Keir!' Some of them are even his opponents on the opposite bench! It is quite inspiring. These are the moments when I am proudest to be part of this Peterborough community."

Some of the opposing teams have even reached a tacit agreement that when Keir has the ball, time stands still for a moment, to allow him to try out his fancy footwork. 

In addition to the support of his family and the P.Y.I.S.C. administration and referees, Keir has been bolstered this season by his second coach, Reegan, a teen who has stepped up to the bench, to help Keir find his place on the field. "Reegan is always cheering for me," says Keir. She shouts out extra tips alongside Coach Gord, such as, "Come back to the yellow line, Keir!" or, "Go for a run to the goal!"
 
These verbal prompts have helped Keir to comprehend the rhythm of the game—so much so, that he has decided to try out the outdoor soccer session this summer, for the first time. "I feel like a young Messi!" Keir says. He is improving through effort and repetitive practice, and great instruction and support from coaches and teammates.
 
When asked how he's doing, Keir says, "I feel good. I want to keep going!"

We're all right there cheering you on Keir. Keep going.
 
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Editor's Note: Keir's 13th birthday is coming up this August 8th. Keir's dream is to meet a FIFA star, or attend a game, live in Barcelona.

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Help A Family Get Their New Goalie Equipment Back Lost Off A Truck

On Saturday morning, a family on the way to an arena for a Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament game lost a bag full of brand new goalie equipment when it fell off the back of their truck somewhere between Warkworth and Norwood (see map below). Call Shane at 705.924.2213 if you find it.

More info below via our friends at The Wolf's Facebook page...

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Head Of The Trent 2015 & Homecoming Is This Weekend

Since its beginnings in 1970, Head of the Trent (HOTT) has become one of North America's largest single-day regattas.

Head of the Trent coincides with Homecoming (October 2nd to 4th), when thousands of Trent alumni descend upon Peterborough.

Head of the Trent is this Saturday (October 3rd). For more information and the full schedule for HOTT, go here. For information on Homecoming events, click here.

Check out our listicle 39 Signs You Went To Trent U.

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1956-57 Original Petes Team to Be Honoured At Petes 60th Season Opener

The Peterborough Petes are the longest continuously operating team in the Ontario Hockey League—having won nine OHL championships and one Memorial Cup championship over 59 years. The Petes have graduated over 180 players to the National Hockey League.

This Thursday (September 24th), the Petes will host the Ottawa 67’s for the home opener of their 60th season, and members of the original 1956-57 team will be recognized at centre ice before the game as a symbol of the success and longevity of the Petes.

Original Petes team

Before the game, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., fans are invited to attend the free Home Opener Kickoff Party in the Northeast Corner of the PMC parking lot. The event will feature live music by Nathan Jackson, face painting by Faces by 2, a selection of bouncy castles by Bouncers Are Us, and a paid BBQ by Brown’s Fine Foods.

Thursday’s game will also be a $5 student night, as Friday is a PA Day for most local students.
 
Tickets are still available for the game by calling (705) 743-3561.

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Peterborough Huskies Coach Converts Bedroom Into Gear Warehouse For Special Needs Team

The special needs hockey team Peterborough Huskies team continues to grow in popularity—and numbers. In doing so, they have to make room for all the equipment somewhere. 

To create space, Huskies Head Coach Chris J-Boy Williams converted what was once a basement bedroom in his house into a Huskies gear warehouse.

BEFORE

AFTER

The Huskies team is not only amping up for a new season but team management have already begun planning the International Special Needs hockey tournament they landed. That takes place here in Peterborough in March 2017 and is a major tournament to coordinate, with 75 teams and about 1,500 players coming into town for that.

Email the Huskies here if you're interesting in sponsoring the team/tournament or helping out in anyway.

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