ParaSport Ontario Newsletter

Over the Line

The Official Newsletter of ParaSport Ontario

May 2011

Thank you ParaSport Ontario!

As I prepare to leave my position as Executive Director of ParaSport Ontario, I do so with bittersweet emotions. The last 5+ years have been filled with many fabulous learning opportunities, the building of wonderful friendships and participation at many exciting events and competitions. Having the opportunity to help grow the ParaSport and Paralympic movement in Ontario has been such an enriching experience for me, and one that I hope to continue in some capacity. Many thanks to the ParaSport Ontario Board of Directors and Staff who have been so supportive and wonderful to work with over the years. Special thanks as well to the Sport Alliance of Ontario, the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, the Multi-Sport and Provincial Sport Organizations, the many Organizing Committees and the hundreds of volunteers whom I have met along the way. Without your dedicated guidance and assistance, our programs simply would not exist. To the athletes, coaches and officials, I wish you continued success in fulfilling your pursuit of excellence and I look forward to cheering you on from the sidelines. We have an exciting few years ahead leading up to the ParaPan American Games in 2015. I look forward to the many benefits these Games will bring to the Paralympic movement in Ontario and Canada.

The very best to all.

Cathy Vincelli

100 Days Out from 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games

Sarnia Banner

On May 9, 2011, with only 100 days left to go before the Caldron is lit, Sarnia-Lambton hosted a 100 Days Out barbeque to promote the upcoming Ontario ParaSport Summer Games. Over the next 100 days, the Games Organizing Committee will be hard at work putting the final touches to the Games being held August 19-20, 2011. "With only 100 days to go, I am confident that the Region of Sarnia-Lambton will make the 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games a tremendous success! This event will showcase the community and highlight Ontario's talented ParaSport athletes, coaches and managers who are an inspiration to all Ontarians".

The time has arrived for Games registration; which can be found on the website at www.ontarioparasportgames.com . Our goal is to make the registration process as easy as possible for the athletes, officials, coaches and support staff. Registration will close on July 8^th.

It is not too late to get involved! The Games are still looking for sponsors as well as volunteers. Anyone interested in being part of the 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games should visit www.ontarioparasportgames.com or call Vicky Praill at 519-336-3232.

2011 Annual Awards

ParaSport Ontario along with member Multi-Sport Associations have recognized the tremendous achievements and dedication of their athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers for many years.

Following the Ontario ParaSport Summer Games in Sarnia this August, numerous deserving awards will be presented. Awards include the Bob Secord Award, Ron Foster Award, Games Hosting Appreciation Awards, Corporate Appreciation Awards, numerous MSO Awards and the ParaSport Ontario Awards (ParaSport Ontario Team of the Year, ParaSport Ontario Coach of the Year, ParaSport Ontario Male Athlete of the Year, ParaSport Ontario Female Athlete of the Year).

For more information regarding the 2011 Awards, please visit the ParaSport Ontario website: http://www.parasportontario.ca/InsideParaSportOntario/AnnualAwards.aspx

Windsor/Essex to Launch Accessible Sport Council

The areas of Windsor/Essex have come together to form an Accessible Sport Council that will act as a hub to the promotion and development of parasports in their respective communities. This Council will act to fill the gaps that currently exist and will unite different groups in the area to work with existing and developing clubs to promote physical activities.

On Saturday, July 9th at the Boiling Point Wheelchair Track Classic, the Windsor/Essex Accessible Sport Council will be presented with a $2500 start-up grant from ParaSport Ontario. The grant, provided though bi-lateral funding from Sport Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport via its Active 2010 - Sport for More program, will be used to create awareness of sport for persons with disabilities; unite disability organizations in order to share resources and knowledge; and advocate for program and service development and accessibility throughout the region. This launch is timed with the Boiling Point Wheelchair Track Classic to link the beginning of parasports and elite-level competition at a premiere athletics competition that will bring together the organizations and associations the Accessible Sport Council will work with moving forward.

For more information about Accessible Sport Councils, or if you are interested in developing an Accessible Sport Council in your area, please contact Deanne Vincent at deanne@parasportontario.ca.

Run Jarvis, Run

Patrick Jarvis - Headshot Run Jarvis, Run

On April 18, 2011, Patrick Jarvis, President and CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Foundation, ran the 115^th Boston Marathon in support of ParaSport Ontario and the Canadian Paralympic Team. For nearly 25 years, Patrick Jarvis has been involved with sport for people with a disability, as a competitor, an administrator but primarily as a volunteer.

So far, Patrick has raised over $11,000 for Paralympic Sport in Canada, with donations still coming in. Patrick finished the race with a time of 3 hours 23 minutes and 40 seconds! Well done! Donations are still being accepted in support of Patrick's hard work.

Click here to follow Patrick's journey and/or to make a donation.

2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge

For the first time since 2008, the Canadians came out on top at the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge, beating Norway 8-0 in front of a red and white crowd at the Western Fair Sports Centre. Canada came out of the Challenge with a perfect 5-0 en route to winning the gold medal on home ice in London, Ont.

Goal scorers included Derek Whitson (Chatham, Ont.) who kicked off the scoring at 2:32 in the first to give Canada a lead nice and early in the game. Brad Bowden (Orton, Ont.) scored one goal, with Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.), Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.), and Billy Bridges (Summerside, Ont.) all scoring 2 goals each.

For full results see: www.hockeycanada.ca/wshc

2011 National Wheelchair Basketball Championships

0.8125

Team Ontario came away with a silver medal at the 2011 National Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Longueuil, QC on May 13-15, 2011. Ontario played rival team British Columbia in the finals for the second year in a row, with BC prevailing once again with a final score of 58-53.

Team Canada teammate Adam Lancia dropped a game-high 27 points for Ontario and was named the tournament MVP.

Full Results

Two Full and Fun TDSB Barrier-Free Track and Field Days

May 12th and 13th had two successful days full of parasports with elementary students from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) participating in the Barrier-Free Track and Field Days at York University and Variety Village, respectively. The first day had 7 schools with 88 students participating, and at Variety Village there was 20 schools and 211 students participating. Both days were kicked off with a warm-up and had 4 stations of different activities; including roller sledge hockey, curling, wheelchair basketball, boccia, athletics (running, throws, and jumps). Participants rotated through the stations during the three hour event. Athletics Canada's athlete Renee Foessel, Noella Klawitter, and Rick Ball showcased their sport and lead activities with the students. The event, which is a great introduction of parasports to students of all abilities, was organized by the TDSB, ParaSport Ontario, Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association, City of Toronto, and Athletics Canada. For more information about the Barrier-Free Track and Field Days, please contact Deanne Vincent at deanne@parasportontario.ca.

Annual Fitness Friends Celebration a Success in Mississauga

Friday, May 20th at Stephen Lewis Secondary School eleven schools and approximately 450 students and staff participated in the Fitness Friends program final event in Mississauga. Fitness Friends, a program that started in 1999, is a great way to get students of all abilities active together. Educators match two students who do not know each other at the beginning of the year; one student with a disability with a fitness partner, with the goal of social integration, fitness, and friendship. This inclusive opportunity promotes equal playing grounds to help break down social barriers for young people with disabilities by having fitness friends participating in physical activities together throughout the year. All participants are invited to celebrate their successes at the end-of-year party, which was last Friday. Here, participants were able to participate in sports such as wheelchair basketball and sledge hockey, with equipment provided by ParaSport Ontario and Variety Village. The sunshine and wonderful weather matched the smiles on everyone's faces as they celebrated the program's successful year. For more information please contact Archie Allison of Variety Village at aallison@varietyvillage.on.ca.

Quick Links

PO News Archive

PO Magazine
Resource Directory

Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Championships

The Ontario Thunder and Ontario Lightning cleaned up their respective divisions and took the National Titles at the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Saskatoon on May 15, 2011!

Full Results

2011 Coloplast Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Nationals Finals

Cruisers Classic Meet

Athletes competed May 14, 2011 at York University.

Full Results

Georgian Triangle Accessible Sport Council

The Para Nordic Trailblazers Team has received funds to purchase a new Para Nordic Sled from the local Jack Rabbit program fundraising event held at Nordic Highlands, Duntroon.
Georgian Triangle's Breaking Down Barriers Golf Team starts their training season tonight (May 25th/11) at the Batteaux Creek Golf Course.

Sudbury Accessible Sport Council

Rainbow School Board has included wheelchair racing and the ambulatory 100 meter event at local high school track and field events. There are 4 athletes representing Sudbury Schools moving on to compete at OFSAA.
Sudbury awarded 2012 MEDIchair Northern Ontario Wheelchair Curling Championships (January 27-29).

Disability Today Network Launch Party

The DT Network flipped the switch to go live March 31st launching its first 6 channels, including ParaSport Ontario in Sports. Other channels include Publications, Inspiration, Mobility, Youth, and Therapy. DTN hopes to see 50 channels live by summer's end.

DT Network

Canadian Sport Policy Renewal

The Canadian Sport Policy is being renewed and you are encouraged to participate. An important component of the consultation process is to have as many Canadians as possible share their perspectives. We encourage you to complete the e-questionnaire which can be found on the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) Canadian Sport Policy Renewal website:

http://sirc.ca/csprenewal.cfm.

Coming Up

Little Aces

The North York launch of Tennis Canada's introductory program "Little Aces" integrates wheelchair tennis thanks to the North York Tennis Association partnership with Bridging the Gap.

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

12 pm - 3 pm

North York Community Centre
Toronto, ON

For more information contact btg@ontwheelchairsports.org

Ottawa Lions Weekend Race

May 28-29, 2011

Ottawa, ON

For more information, contact