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JUSTINE HINES TO OPEN THE 2008 OPSG
 Join us at 12 noon on July 25, 2008 for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games. The Ceremonies begin with a parade of athletes inside the fieldhouse of Variety Village. Special guests will welcome the athletes, their families, coaches, trainers, officials and spectators to these high caliber Provincial Games. A very special performance by singer/ songwriter Justin Hines begins at 12:30 p.m. To read more about Justin and his musical journey, visit his website. | |
 PARASPORT REGIONAL QUALIFIERS
Paralympics Ontario held two Regional Qualifiers for the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games in the month of May. The first qualifier took place in Ottawa, May 10 while the second one took place in London on May 25. Many of the clubs that hosted the events were new to the ParaSport movement and both sets of games were an overall success.
Thanks to Ottawa Odyssey Boccia Club, Ottawa Lions Track & Field Club, The London Cannonballs & London Legion Track & Field Club We are looking for hosts for the 2009 ParaSport Regional Summer Games. If you or your club are interested, please contact Elisabeth Walker-Young, Games Manager at lis@paralympicsontario.ca. |
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RWA SESSIONS HIT SUMMER CAMPS
 Ready Willing and Able (RWA) has a jam packed summer lined up as it hits several communities running sessions at camps and rehabilitation centres. In the London area at the Woodeden Easter Seals Camp several Boccia sessions are lined up for their excited campers and similar programs are also taking place in Smith Falls at the Merriwood Easter Seals Camp.
RWA Athlete Ambassador Josh Cassidy will be sharing his skills with campers at Trent Summer Sports Camp in Peterborough which focuses on athletics including wheelchair racing and throwing. In Waterloo at KidsAbility, campers will learn about ParaSports and get to try out sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, athletics and sitting volleyball. London's Western University will host a fun filled five day Wheelchair Sports Smorgasboard where campers will spend the first four days skill building in Boccia, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis for the final skills challenge at the end of the week.
Bloorview Kids Rehab in Toronto, Erinoaks Kids Independent Living Program in Mississauga, Chedoke's Child Development Rehab in Hamilton and Ottawa's Children Treatment Centre are all hosting RWA sessions throughout the summer as well. Ready Willing and Able is always eager to build relationships with communities to introduce sports for persons with physical disabilities with hopes of creating more sporting opportunities through Community Sport Development. If your community would like to see more ParaSport opportunities available please contact Jill Valentine at 416-426-7012 or jill@paralympicsontario.ca. |
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2008 ONTARIO PARASPORT SUMMER GAMES
 Registration is closed and sport specific schedules are being finalized. The late July event is reflecting lower registrants in Athletics and Boccia, due to conflicting international scope events but higher numbers are confirmed for both Powerlifting and ParaEquestrian.
Centennial College is upping the ante in the area of accommodation and hospitality services. Fun and comfort will be had by all. From themed meals, to delivering specific rooming requests they are proving to be great partners to the Variety Village Host.
Soccer will be demonstrated at the 2008 ParaSport Ontario Summer Games (OPSG) and the athletes will be onsite to meet and mingle with the 2008 OPSG athletes. Details surrounding the soccer demonstrated will be posted to the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games website, so please check it often. These athletes are national and prospective national team members.
Opening Ceremonies are scheduled at Variety Village at 12 noon for a celebration of athletes, messages from notable guests and a performance by Justin Hines. If your sport is not competing on Friday we encourage you to cheer on those athletes who are competing. Fans in the stands are always an added bonus at a Championship event.
Visit the Games site often for updates and remember to bring your signed waivers with you to onsite registration to speed along the process.
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DID YOU KNOW ROWING IS A PARALYMPIC SPORT?
 Did you know that rowing has been added as a Paralympic sport for the 2008 Beijing Games? It was introduced to the Paralympic program in 2005 and will hold its first Paralympic competitions in Beijing.
Rowing is a great sport for people with physical or intellectual disabilities. Rowing clubs like the Argonaut Rowing Club in Toronto are looking for you. The adaptive rowing programs in these clubs introduce the sport of rowing to individuals with a disability throughout their community. Other clubs offering adaptive programs in Ontario can be found on the Row Ontario website or by contacting the Row Ontario Adaptive Rowing Representative, Thomas Merritt, at tjsmerritt@gmail.com.
In the case of the Argonaut Rowing Club, the 2008 Adaptive Learn-to-Row is scheduled for 4 weekends in July. Sessions last 2 to 3 hours and take place on Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 8 sessions, plus participation in the Club's monthly Learn-to-Row regatta. Adaptive Learn-to-Row graduates often join the Club and participate in individual or crew recreational rowing, and can compete as adaptive rowers at the local up to the international level.
Running shoes, shorts, a t-shirt and socks are all the equipment you will need. On warm, sunny days, add sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. For cool, windy days, use a sweatshirt and long pants. If it looks like rain, a waterproof jacket and hat are useful. Avoid loose-fitting clothing as it may impede movement and get caught in the equipment.
The Club has completely accessible locker/change room facilities. Classes always meet at the scheduled time. In inclement weather the class may move indoors for technique and fitness training on the ergs (rowing machines). But, we will row in light rain, provided other conditions are safe.
The Club is located on Toronto's Western beaches waterfront west of Ontario Place.
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All adaptive athletes must consult with our Adaptive Coordinator, Gerry MacLeod, prior to registration to discuss any specific needs. We are able to accommodate a wide range of abilities, but equipment is limited. |
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NEW RWA VAN
ShoppersHomeHealthCare has graciously donated the use of a cargo van for our use. The new van will be unveiled the week leading up to the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games at Variety Village but here is a sneak peak at what the new van looks like.
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CPC BANNER SIGNING HITS VARIETY VILLAGE IN SUPPORT OF THE 2008 OPSG
 On Friday, June 6, 2008 the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games had a media launch day in conjuction with the signing of the Canadian Paralympic Committee's Good Luck Banner for the Beijing Paralympic Games.
Locals listened to ParaSport and Paralympic athletes alike and watched demonstrations in sports such as Boccia, Wheelchair Tennis, and Wheelchair Rugby before signing the Good Luck Banner to show support to all the Paralympians headed to Beijing this fall.
The banner signing was part of a cross-Canada tour that will see the banner stop in every province before being hung in the Athletes Village in Beijing. | |
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E-Newsletter
Editor: 416.426.7030
Toll Free: 1.800.265.1539
Fax: 416.426.7361
Email: matt@paralympicsontario.ca |
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