World Class Boccia Athlete World Class Boccia

Transcription

2008 Summer PO Magazine
7/3/08
2:09 PM
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ATHLETICS | GOALBALL | TENNIS | BOCCIA | PARAEQUESTRIAN | POWERLIFTING
World Class
Boccia Athlete
Brock Richardson
2008 Ontario ParaSport
Summer Games
Variety Village, Scarborough
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2008 Ontario ParaSport
Summer Games
contents
PA R A LY M P I C S O N TA R I O
B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S
CHAIRPERSON
Brian Skinner
2008
VP
ADMINISTRATION
&
FINANCE
Janice Martin
VP
COMPETITIONS
Faye Blackwood
VP
MARKETING
&
FUNDRAISING
Brian McLean
VP
DEVELOPMENT
Lynda Charters
OWSA
PRESIDENT
Barbara Montemurro
Messages
5
Greetings from
the Minister
OBSA
PRESIDENT
Shirley Shelby
6
Welcome Message
8
Brian Skinner,
Chairperson,
Paralympics Ontario
The Honourable
Margarett R. Best,
Minister of Health
Promotion
Welcome to
Variety Village
Stephen Bialowas,
Chair, Host
Organizing
Committee
OCPSA
REPRESENTATIVE
Brenda Hall
OALASA
REPRESENTATIVE
Archie Watts
PA R A LY M P I C S O N TA R I O S TA F F
EXECUTIVE
Games Information
9
Schedule of
Events
14
10
Thank You to
Paralympics
Ontario Patrons
26
11
Para-Sport – the
Ontario Evolution
Paralympics
Ontario 2007
Awards
Soldier On
Military Origins of
the Paralympic
Movement
28
32
Join the Club
34
Regional Review
The 2008 ParaSport
Regional Summer
Games
36
Collingwood
Delivers
Provincial Sports
Organizations
23
In Profile with Dylan
Johnson
25
15
Athletics
19
Variety Village…
It Takes a Village
30
MANAGER
Jill Valentine
OFFICE
MANAGER
Barbara Morrow
MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS
MANAGER
COORDINATOR
Holly Tawse
PA R A LY M P I C S
39
Powerlifting
In Profile with Sally
Thomas
ONTARIO
1185 Eglinton Ave.E. Suite 102
Toronto, ON M3C 3C6
Tel: 416-426-7187
Toll Free: 1-800-265-1539
Fax: 416-426-7361
Email: [email protected]
www.paralympicsontario.ca
••••••••••
40
Heart of the
Matter
In Profile with
Coach Amanda
Fader
Giving Back
In Profile with
Volunteer Faye
Blackwood
Take the Lead
Community
Opportunities with
Paralympics Ontario
Wheelchair
Tennis
In Profile with
Flavio Pagliero
In Profile with
Naveed Islam
17
The Road to
Beijing
MANAGER
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
Feature Profiles
Goalball
GAMES
Elisabeth Walker-Young
Matt Rhodes
2008 Ontario
Paralympic Winter
Championships
13
DIRECTOR
Cathy Vincelli
PARALYMPICS ONTARIO
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
2008
PUBLISHER
Jeff Tiessen
41
Club Profile
Peterborough Pacers
MANAGING
EDITOR
Matt Rhodes
PA R A LY M I P I C S
35
Boccia
In Profile with Brock
Richardson
42
ParaEquestrian
In Profile with Jody
Schloss
Dave Arnold
ART
DIRECTOR
Binda Fraser
ADVERTISING
COVER PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE ARNOLD
PA R A LYM P I C S O N TA R I O
SALES
Envision Inc.
PUBLISHED
4
ONTARIO
PHOTOGRAPHER
SUMMER 2008
BY:
Disability Today
Publishing Group, Inc.,
2276 Rosedene Rd.,
St. Anne’s ON L0R 1Y0
Tel.: 905.957.6016
Fax: 905.957.6017
E-mail: [email protected]
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M I N I STRY O F H E A LTH P RO M OTI O N
MI N ISTÈRE DE L A PROMOTION DE L A SANTÉ
Office of the Minister
2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer
Games
Bureau de la ministère
Jeux paralympiques d’été de l’Ontario 2008
I
C
These elite-level provincial Games bring together
Ontario’s top parasport athletes to compete for excellence
in their sport. To the athletes, we recognize the importance
of this event in your efforts to advance to national and
international competitions. Your hard work, skill and dedication are an inspiration to people across this province.
My ministry is working hard to make Ontario a leader
in sport development, and all of the 250 athletes, plus the coaches, trainers and staff at
these games, are making a significant contribution to that goal.
I commend Paralympics Ontario for its tireless efforts to showcase the heart and talent of
our province’s parasport athletes. By developing
our province’s elite athletes with disabilities,
you are also encouraging healthy active living
for all Ontarians.
I am confident that this first-class competition will be remembered fondly for a lifetime.
Ces Jeux provinciaux rassemblent l’élite des athletes ParaSport de
l’Ontario, qui visent l’excellence dans leur sport. Nous savons toute l’importance que rêvetent les Jeux pour les athlètes et tous les efforts qu’ils
déploient pour se qualifier en vue des compétitions nationales et internationales. Leur ténacité, leur talent et leur dévouement sont des source
d’inspiration pour tous les Ontariens.
Le personnel de mon ministère travaille sans relâche à faire de
l’Ontario un chef de file en matière de développement sportif, et les 250
athlètes, les entraîneurs, les soigneurs et les employés des
Jeux contribuent grandement à la poursuite de cet objectif.
Je tiens à féliciter Paralympics Ontario, qui travaille san
répit afin de mettre en valeur toute la volonté et tout le talent des athlètes ParaSport de notre province. En contribuant au développement de l’élite parmi les athlètes paralympiques de la province, cet organisme fait également la
promotion de modes de vie sains auprès de tous les
Ontariens.
Je suis persuadée que tous se souviendront de cette
compétition hors pair avec émotion, pendant très
longtemps.
t is my sincere pleasure to welcome everyone participating in the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games
in Toronto.
’est avec grand plaisir que je souhaite la bienvenue à tous les participants des Jeux ParaSport d’été de l’Ontario 2008, à Toronto.
Let the Games begin!
Que les jeux commencent!
Sincerely yours,
Veuillez agréer l’expression de mes sentiments distingués.
Margarett R. Best
La ministère,
Minister
Margarett R. Best
2008
COVER PHOTO: CHRISTINE HAIGH
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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRPERSON,
Welcome to Paralympics Ontario’s Official Publication,
Summer 2008 Edition!
It gives me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all participants, families, friends and
volunteers to the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.We look forward to watching the
many talented athletes as they gather at Variety Village to compete at this prestigious event.
S
ince the first games over 30 years ago there have been many
changes in amateur sport in Ontario, but no change more significant than the growth in sport activity for persons with a physical disability. The 250 athletes here this weekend are proof that
this movement faces a bright future.
I certainly expect to see the standard of excellence that is currently associated with the Ontario ParaSport Summer Games elevated to
new heights. Variety Village has a tremendous presence in the community of Scarborough and this event will only add to the legacy of
this remarkable organization.
Athletes from across Ontario continue to represent our province
and country at many international events. This year many will be
competing at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. Many of these
athletes won their first medals at the Ontario ParaSport Summer
Games, which has traditionally been a breeding ground for champions.
Good luck to our Ontario athletes headed abroad and to all
Canadian athletes as we watch them compete on the world stage.
I wish you all the very best at the 2008
Ontario ParaSport Summer Games! May you
achieve personal bests and take home lasting
memories!
Brian Skinner
Chairperson,
Paralympics Ontario
Calling All
Communities
Do you know of a program or event
for athletes with a physical disability in
Ontario?
P
aralympics Ontario is conducting a Province-wide
ParaSport Audit this summer to identify sport programs in communities across Ontario for persons with
physical disabilities.
The information is being used as a needs assessment to
identify target communities for Paralympics Ontario’s
Community Sport Development Program, which provides
support and leadership for newly developing clubs.
The information will also be compiled into a ParaSport
Resource Directory, a guide to sport programs in Ontario’s
communities. The Resource Directory will also include steps
to getting involved, transportation information, as well as
additional resources available. If you’re aware of a program
that should be included please contact Jill Valentine at
jill@paralympics ontario.ca.
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HOST ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Welcome to Variety Village
Proud Host of the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games
O
n July 25th and 26th 2008, Variety Village (the flagship of
Variety - The Children’s Charity in Ontario) has the honour
of hosting the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games (OPSG).
Variety Village is proud to host these high caliber Provincial
Games. Our community is excited about showcasing Ontario’s
athletic talent as well as its support for amateur sport.
The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion provides funding to
the Games which are delivered by the Sport Alliance of Ontario in
partnership with Paralympics Ontario. These Games are the
Provincial Championships for many of the summer sports for athletes with a physical disability, including Track and Field, Boccia,
Wheelchair Tennis, Goalball (for athletes with visual impairments
and blindness), ParaEquestrian and Powerlifting.
Variety Village is working in partnership with Centennial College
for the hospitality and accommodations services for the event. The
ParaEquestrian event will be hosted by the Community Association
of Riding for the Disabled, also known as C.A.R.D. Wheelchair
Tennis will be hosted by the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club, and
Track and Field events will take place at Birchmount Stadium.
8
Many businesses, organizations and individuals have stepped up
to the plate to help us make these Games the best ever. We truly
appreciate all of their help and support, without which, this event
would not be possible.
Lastly, Variety’s experienced athletes have always been incredible
role models for our young athletes in training who are continually
inspired by their accomplishments. Please join us in wishing the
athletes, their families, coaches, officials and volunteers all the best
at the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.
Sincerely,
Stephen Bialowas
Chair, Host Organizing Committee
2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games
SUMMER 2008
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Ontario
Patrons
Thank you for
your support!
GOLD SUPPORTERS
SILVER SUPPORTERS
Ad a pte d Ac t i vi t ie s, Pro d uc t s a n d Pl a ce s
BRONZE SUPPORTERS
Blaze magazine colour pallet:
Ad a pte d Ac t i vi t ie s, Pro d uc t s a n d Pl a ce s
10
PMS 299
PMS 124
PMS 129
PMS 431
SUMMER 2008
7/3/08
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PAR ASPORT TIMELI N E
ParaSport – the Ontario Evolution
P
aralympics Ontario, formerly Sport
for Disabled-Ontario, has been offering competitive sport opportunities for
athletes with physical disabilities at the
regional and provincial levels for 30+
years. For many of the thousands of athletes who have competed at the
Provincial Games or Championships as
they came to be known, their athletic
goals and dreams were realized at this
premier Ontario event. For others, the
provincial games were but another
important stepping stone to elite international competition on the world’s
Paralympic stage. Today, despite many
progressive changes to sport for athletes
with disabilities, one thing has not
changed, nor need it. Paralympics
Ontario remains true to a mission that
has spanned four decades – providing the
best possible arena for Ontario’s top athletes with physical disabilities to compete
and succeed.
Para-Sport Milestones in Ontario
1966 –
1972 –
1975 –
Canadian Wheelchair Sports
Association formed.
The Ontario Wheelchair Sports
Association (OWSA) was established to
coordinate workshops, clinics, seminars, competitions, public awareness
demonstrations and special events to
promote wheelchair sports throughout
the Province.
First Ontario Games for the Physically
Disabled. Included athletes who were
blind, amputees and wheelchair users
(approx 300 athletes attended).
Designed to assist athletes in their
training and competitive development
by providing the opportunity for them
to compete at the national and international level.
The Duke of York at the 1987 Opening Ceremonies
1979 –
1980 –
1981 –
1981 –
A young Jeff Adams racing against Rob Betz
1978 –
1976 –
1978 –
Windsor Games included Track and
Field, Weightlifting, Slalom, Billiards,
Table Tennis, Archery, Rifle Shooting,
Murderball (now Wheelchair Rugby),
Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling, and
Goalball. Used for the first time as
team selection for the Canada Games
for the Disabled. First-ever “Regional
Qualifiers” held in St. Catherines,
Etobicoke, Kirkland Lake, Kingston and
Brantford.
The Ontario Amputee Sports
Association formed to help organize,
promote and raise funds on behalf of
its athletes.
A specific classification system was
established for athletes with cerebral
palsy. This was the second year athletes with cerebral palsy competed in
the Ontario Games for the Physically
Disabled (the previous year these ath-
1984 –
letes competed against athletes with
spinal injuries).
Variety Village establishes a unique
sports and fitness facility specifically for
people with disabilities. The
Scarborough complex boasts 76,000
square feet including three basketball
courts, a 200-metre indoor track and a
fitness facility.
Sport for Disabled Ontario (SDO)
begins working from its first office
location (1220 Sheppard, Toronto).
Ottawa Stingers Wheelchair Rugby
team formed.
Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports
Association becomes a registered charity and one year later a recognized
amateur Provincial Sport Organization
as well as the inaugural member of the
newly created Canadian Cerebral Palsy
Sports Association.
Ontario Blind Sports Association
becomes incorporated.
Olympic swimmer Victor Davis with Martha
Gustafson (1985); Gustafson still competes in
field events
Slalom competition
1987 –
1989 –
1997 –
1998 –
First Canadian Cerebral Palsy National
Games held in Windsor.
Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah, the
Duke and Duchess of York, opened the
Ontario Games for the Physically
Disabled in North York.
Swimmers with a disability come under
Swim Ontario’s wing with the signing
of a letter of understanding between
the disability groups within Sport for
Disabled-Ontario and Swim Ontario.
Variety Village hosts their first Ontario
Games for the Physically Disabled.
Magazine ad from 1989
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PAR ASPORT TIMELI N E
1999 –
2004 –
Laszlo Desci at the 1984
Ontario Games – Archery
competition
2004 –
2006 –
Field events at the last
Games held at Variety
Village
12
Last year Slalom
event was held in the
Ontario Games for
the Physically
Disabled.
Sport for DisabledOntario changes its
name to Paralympics
Ontario after signing
a franchise agreement with the
Canadian Paralympic
Committee.
Paralympics Ontario
launches Ready,
Willing & Able
Program. This firstcontact introductory
sport program targets
rehab hospitals and
schools to recruit new
athletes.
Inaugural Ontario
Paralympic Winter
Championship hosted
in Huntsville. Sports
included wheelchair
rugby, wheelchair
basketball, wheelchair curling, swimming, sledge hockey,
ParaNordic skiing,
ParaAlpine skiing.
Previous ONTARIO GAMES Sites 2004-2008
1975 - 2003 Ontario Games for the Physically Disabled
2004 - 2007 Ontario Paralympic Summer Championships (OPSC)
2008
Ontario ParaSport Summer Games
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
CAMBRIDGE
LONDON
BRANTFORD
WINDSOR
OSHAWA
SAULT STE. MARIE
BURLINGTON
SARNIA
BRAMPTON
TORONTO
WINDSOR
NO GAMES
NORTH YORK
NORTH YORK – SDO Hosts
event
OTTAWA
ETOBICOKE
HAMILTON
SUDBURY
THUNDER BAY
WINDSOR
1995
1996
1997
1998
SDO
PSO
PO
OPWC
Sport for Disabled-Ontario
Provincial Sport Organizations
Paralympics Ontario
Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships
1999
2000
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2008
ST. CATHERINES
PETERBOROUGH
NEW LISKEARD
VARIETY VILLAGE SCARBOROUGH
KITCHENER
(Ontario Winter Games)
SAULT STE MARIE
(Ontario Summer Games)
OSHAWA (Durham Region)
NO GAMES HELD (due to other
commitments by PSOs)
KITCHENER
SARNIA
(OPSC) ETOBICOKE –
PO Hosts Event
ESSEX
LONDON
SARNIA
(OPWC) COLLINGWOOD
(OPSG) VARIETY VILLAGE –
SCARBOROUGH
SUMMER 2008
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GOALBALL
Goal-Oriented
In Profile with Dylan Johnson
By:Tina Dealwis
S
even years ago, Dylan Johnson
was introduced to Goalball by
staff members at his school. Dylan,
16, who is visually impaired, was
hooked. “I’d never heard of the sport
before. They showed me. I played
with them, and I was pretty good at
it.”
That might be an understatement.
Since 2006, Dylan has won two silver
medals (2007 and 2008) and one
bronze medal (2006) at the National
Junior Champion-ships. In addition,
Left, Dylan Johnson
he was selected for the National Junior
Goalball Team in 2007, where they finished fourth. He was also
selected to the silver-medal winning 2008 Ontario Men’s Goalball
Team (called the “All Blacks”).
For Dylan, playing sports is not just about competition. “One of
the best experiences I have is meeting new people. I also love playing against teams that are of a high caliber, so you have a good
defensive and offensive game. It’s a great feeling when you’re out
there on the court playing for Ontario or Canada, playing with people from different provinces or countries… and it’s an amazing feeling when you win.”
Dylan’s sports hero is Jeff Christy, who plays on the Ontario “All
Blacks”. Says Dylan: “He has helped me improve my skills dramatically. He has taught me defense and helped me improve my speed
and different techniques so the ball goes faster, and where I want it
to go. Jeff is a great role model and a great all-around guy.”
Dylan describes his training routine as “more fitness-related,
rather than Goalball-related.” He does a cardio workout twice a
week and the same for weight workouts. On top of that, Dylan can
be found doing some sort of physical activity on his lunch hours
and he participates in as many extra-curricular activities after school
as he can, such as running and wrestling.
In his spare time, Dylan enjoys spending time with his friends
and girlfriend, and he enjoys working with children. “I like to work
with little kids in a daycare setting, and helping them improve their
social skills and their values in life.”
As for the future, Dylan says he would like to play on the men’s
teams again, and play in as many tournaments as possible. His goals
are geared toward international competition. “My goals are set right
now. I want to play in the 2012 Paralympics in London.”
The Sport of Goalball
Goalball is a team sport for men and women with visual
impairments. Invented in 1946 to rehabilitate blind veterans
from World War II, it was introduced to the world in 1976 at
the Paralympics in Toronto. First implemented in the ParaSport
Games program in 2004 in Etobicoke, Goalball is governed
provincially by the Ontario Blind Sports Association (OBSA).
In 2006, the sport was played in 51 countries worldwide.
A team is comprised of six players with no more than
three players per team on the court at any one time. The object
of the game is to score goals by rolling a ball (called a goalball)
using a bowling action towards the opposing team’s goal,
which spans the entire width of the court. Players attempt to
prevent the goalball from crossing the goal line by diving and
stretching out their bodies to create a barrier. Teams must
remain on their own half and throw the ball within their threemeter area (from the goal line). They must ensure the ball
bounces before the high-ball line and before the same line on
the opponent’s half. Goalballs weigh 1.25kg and contain noise
bells. Raised lines on the court help orient the players as well.
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PAR ASPORT AWARDS
Ontario ParaSport Awards
An Evening to Remember!
I
t was an evening to celebrate as 150 athletes, PSO/MSO representatives, family members and friends gathered at the
DoubleTree International Plaza Hotel in Toronto on November
17th, 2007 to recognize and pay tribute to athletes, volunteers,
organizing committees and sponsors.
Paralympic athlete Jessica Matassa did an outstanding job as
emcee for the evening and Dr. Robert Jackson was on hand as a special guest of honor. Dr. Jackson enlightened those in attendance as
he spoke about his contributions to Paralympic Sport. Over 30 volunteers were also recognized for their passion and dedication to
Stefanie Reid –
PO Female Athlete of
the Year 2007
PSO
OBSA
OBSA
OBSA
OBSA
OCPSA
OCPSA
OCPSA
OCPSA
OCPSA
OCPSA
OCPSA
OWSA
OWSA
OWSA
OWSA
OWSA
OWSA
OWSA
Robert Jackson (guest
speaker at 2007
Ontario ParaSport
Awards Banquet)
Award
Outstanding Performance
Most Improved
Team of the Year
Male Athlete of the Year
Jr. Male Athlete of the Year
Jr. Female Athlete of the Year
Team of the Year
Coach of the Year
Female Athlete of the Year
Ron Foster Award
Jr. Male Athlete of the Year
Jr. Female Athlete of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Dr. Robert Jackson Award
Ron Foster Award
Team of the Year
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!
2008 Ontario
ParaSport Awards –
Saturday,
November 15th
DoubleTree International
Plaza Hotel
14
Amanda Fader - PO
Coach of the Year
Recipient
Sarah Hargraves
Brandon King
Ontario All Blacks
Tim Ekert
Kevin Strybosch
Viginia McLachlan
Team Ontario – Austria
Russ Woloshyn
Kyle Pettey
Tammy McLeod
Linda Leppek
Isaiah Christophe
Kierra Gibson
Jason Crone
Mary-Lou Shapiro
Katherine Helleur
Cliff and Sandra Johns
Division 2 Ontario
Wheelchair Rugby Team
ParaSport. Pins and awards were presented to those who have given
five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. Special thanks goes out to
all volunteers who, with their valuable assistance, make ParaSport
programs and events possible.
Paralympics Ontario (PO), along with the Ontario Wheelchair
Sports Association (OWSA), the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports
Association (OCPSA), the Ontario Blind Sports Association (OBSA)
and the Ontario Amputee and Les Autres Sports Association
(OALASA) presented a number of prestigious awards to the following recipients:
2007 Sarnia Host
Organizing Committee
Irene Van Eenoo –
RWA Ambassador of
the Year 2007
PSO
OWSA
OWSA
OWSA
OALASA
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
Award
Coach of the Year
Corporate Appreciation Award
RWA Ambassador of the Year
Ron Foster Award
Regional Games Hosting Award
Regional Games Hosting Award
OPSC Hosting Award
Team of the Year
PO
Coach of the Year
PO
PO
Bigger and better than ever.
• Beijing success stories from Paralympic Heroes
• Featured Keynote Speaker (TBA)
• Welcoming Winter Sports into the Evening Program
• Enjoy your ParaSport friends and heroes
Tim Eckert – PO Male
Athlete of the Year 2007
Recipient
Amanda Fader
Josh Cassidy
Melanie Hawtin
Stefanie Reid
Shoppers Home Health Care
Irene Van Eenoo
Faye Blackwood
City of Mississauga
Stoney Creek Athletics Club
Tourism Sarnia Lambton
Toronto All Blacks
(Nominated by OBSA)
Amanda Fader
(Nominated by OWSA)
Tim Ekert
(Nominated by OBSA)
Stefanie Reid
(Nominated by OALASA)
As a ParaSport Fundraiser, Paralympics Ontario
is pleased to offer the following sponsorship
opportunities for this high profile event:
• Title Sponsor
• VIP Reception Presenting Sponsor
• ParaSport Table Sponsor
For more information on these sponsorship opportunities, visit the Paralympics Ontario website at
www.paralympicsontario.ca or contact Matt Rhodes at (416) 426-7030 or matt@paralympics ontario.ca.
A ParaSport event not to be missed! See You There!
SUMMER 2008
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Page 15
ATH L E TI C S
Life in the Fast Lane
In Profile with Naveed Islam
By:Tina Dealwis
F
ive years ago, Naveed Islam experienced a fateful day that
changed the course of his life. While in the hospital being fitted for a prosthesis for his below-knee amputation, Naveed spotted a Paralympics Ontario magazine. “I grabbed the magazine
and got involved right away,” Naveed remembers.
Naveed has never looked back. The 30-year-old participates in
track and field events, including the 100m, javelin, discus and shot
put, and has achieved phenomenal success in the short time he has
been competing. He has won gold medals at every provincial level
competition he has competed at since 2004. In 2007, he not only
won gold at the Ontario ParaSport Summer Games, but repeated
that feat at the national level — all without the benefit of a personal
coach.
Naveed lists Terry Fox as one of his heroes. “Terry Fox is a big
sign of encouragement. He symbolizes Canada. Everybody knows
him and what he did, and is encouragement for everybody.”
Like Terry Fox, Naveed hopes to encourage and inspire others
by raising awareness. His mission is to inform people with disabilities about the ParaSport Games. By doing so, he hopes to change
lives, and help others realize their potential. “When I tell someone
that they can get involved in the Games and express themselves,
they have a moment of happiness,” Naveed says. “Athletes with a
disability should avail themselves of this opportunity. I’m focusing
on informing others about the Games so they can express themselves.”
Naveed also says that sponsorship is crucial to help ParaSport
athletes reach their potential. “I need a special prosthesis for running, and I don’t have it because it is very, very expensive. Athletes
need to have support or sponsorship from companies or organizations.”
In his youth Naveed participated in track and field in his native
Pakistan. He appreciates the opportunity to compete in Canada. For
Naveed, competition is as natural as breathing. “I compete because
I’m a sportsman, and sportsmen have to compete. If you’re not
competing, your training and sports are useless. Everything you do
has a purpose, and competing is a way to keep you active and in
good form.”
Naveed trains five to six days per week, at the track or for
two to three hours at the field across from his home or at the
gym. Without his own coach, he watches a lot of video of coaches and athletes.
Primed for his fifth year of competition, Naveed hopes to win his
fifth straight gold medal at the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer
Games. His sights are set on international competition, and dreams
of one day being a world champion.
Sport of Athletics
Athletics has been part of the Paralympic Games program
since 1960 and events are open to male and female athletes in
all disability groups. In the Ontario ParaSport Games program
it has stood the test of time dating back to the first-ever Games
in 1975.
Advances in technology and athletes’ dedication to the
sport have made once unimaginable feats become realities.
Some compete in wheelchairs, others with prostheses and
athletes with blindness/visual impairment compete with the
guidance of a sighted companion. Athletes compete according
to their functional classifications in each event and these events
are continually being redefined to include as many athletes as
possible.
Athletics includes Track events (100m, 200m, 400m,
800m, 1500m, 5000m), Jumping events (High Jump, Long
Jump), Throwing events (Discus, Shot Put, Javelin, Club
Throw). Athletics is governed provincially by the Ontario Track
and Field Association (OTFA).
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VARIETY VILLAGE
It Takes a Village
Variety Village has a long history of providing sports programs and services that promote
accessibility, integration and inclusion for people of all abilities. Looking back over the
years, it is easy to see how the evolution of Variety Village makes it the ideal host for the
2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.
I
n 1949, Variety Village opened for the
purpose of training young men with
physical disabilities between the ages of
16 and 19 years old in vocational trades
such as mechanical drafting, heating and
air conditioning design and small electric
repair. Prior to the school opening, there
were no such programs to learn a trade
and have the chance to become a selfsupporting citizen if you had a physical
disability.
From 1966 to 1979 Variety graduated
hundreds of young men who went on to
lead independent lives. In the summer of
1979, Variety Ontario began a special physical conditioning and fitness program for the
benefit of young participants from the
Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre (now
Bloorview Kids Rehab), Bloorview
Children’s Hospital (now Bloorview
McMillan Hospital), and Sunny View School
Summer Camp. Youth with disabilities, and
able-bodied kids as well, participated
together in sports activities for the first time.
Perhaps one of Variety’s most exciting
years was 1981, when it embarked on the
most ambitious project in its history. A unique sports and fitness
facility for young people with disabilities was built on the existing
six-acre property housing the vocational school. The Variety Village
Sports Training and Fitness Centre officially opened in February of
that year.
The highlight of the sport and training facility is the 76,000
square foot field-house for track and field and court sports. A 200metre track frames the perimeter of the building. Constructed of a
synthetic polymer, the track is designed to cushion jolts to the legs,
yet withstand pressure from wheelchairs. Three infield basketball
courts are separated by see-through nylon curtains to allow concurrent games. There are also electrical outlets for charging wheelchair
batteries as well as a wheelchair repair station. Hallways are extra
wide to allow for easy wheelchair mobility and all washrooms and
change rooms are equipped with oversized stalls, grab bars, rubber
coated floors and call help buttons.
Variety Village’s physical education programs were designed
specifically for people with disabilities between five and 22 years
old, but the ultimate goal was to open the facility to people of all
abilities with integration becoming an invaluable experience for
both. The centre afforded an ideal atmosphere for such integration
and the seeds of inclusion were born. With membership opening to
the general public in the mid 1980s, subsidized funding for prow w w. p a r a l y m p i c s o n t a r i o. c a
gramming for children with disabilities was made available.
In 1989, all eyes turned to the opening of the new aquatics
wing. Swimming became part of the mainstay of the Village’s programming, with swim classes and water sports available in the
Sunshine Pool for children of all abilities.
Variety Village is now a world-renowned sports training and fitness facility. Each week, 2,500 children pass through the doors of
the Village to participate in swimming, boccia, fitness, floor hockey,
soccer, Tae Kwon Do, wheelchair basketball, yoga and many more
activities.
Variety Village has come a long way since 1949, but at the root
of it all, the focus on “abilities” has remained the priority. Variety
creates a level playing field without intimidation or other obstacles.
Everyone is encouraged to reach for their goals and feel comfortable
participating at play, in team sports, recreational activities or taking
part in a life skills workshop.
Variety Village has helped train 29 Canadian Paralympic athletes,
many of them first competing at Regional and Provincial Games.
This year at least five athletes training at the Village will travel to
Beijing to compete in track and field, swimming or wheelchair basketball. Variety is thrilled that some of their Paralympic athletes will
also compete at the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.
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Page 18
BEST OF LUCK
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Lafarge Canada Inc.
7880 Keele Street, Concord, Ontario, L4K 4G7
Tel: 905-738-7070 Fax: 905-738-7092
www.lafargenorthamerica.com
Celebrating 34 Years of
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18
SUMMER 2008
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LEGACY
Take the Lead with
Paralympics Ontario
Paralympics Ontario has played an integral role in the development of Paralympians for
over two decades. From the first Ontario Games for the Physically Disabled (now the
Ontario ParaSport Summer Games) in Cambridge thirty-three years ago, Paralympics
Ontario has grown in stature and importance.
W
e are proud to host the most prestigious multi-sport
events in the Province for athletes with a physical disability, providing the opportunity to progress to national and international competition.
With sports growing rapidly for persons
with a physical disability in Canada,
Paralympics Ontario’s Games program has
expanded to include ParaSport Winter
Games. In January 2006 the inaugural
were held in Huntsville with great enthusiasm and excitement. Seven Paralympic
sports were demonstrated at these championships including Wheelchair Curling,
Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby,
Swimming, Sledge Hockey, Alpine and
Nordic Skiing.
Building upon the momentum of that
event, Collingwood hosted the second
this past February. This event was well
received and provided an opportunity for
athletes to experience a multi-sport event as
Vancouver 2010 grows near.
The Sport Alliance of Ontario (SAO), on
behalf of the Ministry of Health Promotion,
is responsible for the delivery of the
Ontario Games Program and offers grants
to host communities to help defray the cost
of running Regional and Provincial events.
This partnership enhances the visibility of the Games and increases
the opportunity for sponsorship and community development.
Hosting a Paralympics Ontario event provides host communities
with not only the opportunity to witness ParaSport first-hand, but
also a chance to make a difference in the sporting arena for athletes
with a physical disability.
The legacy of Paralympics Ontario in the Sarnia-Lambton area
was quite evident after the 2007 Ontario ParaSport Summer
Championships. The community spent over $100,000 on barrierfree access for athletes with a physical disability in Sarnia. The local
track and field complex was updated and repaired. An accessible
pathway to the tennis courts was created to provide access to athw w w. p a r a l y m p i c s o n t a r i o. c a
letes for wheelchair tennis. Funds were given to Sarnia’s new rowing
program for athletes with a disability, and to the Sarnia Cup Boccia
program to support its next five years.
The Town of Collingwood, in partnership with the Collingwood Curling Club,
completed a new entrance to the curling
facility, which now houses an elevator as
well. Thanks to the 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships, wheelchair
curlers now have access to the curling rink
as well as the Club room on the second
floor.
Renovations to the dressing rooms at
Collingwood’s Eddie Bush Memorial Arena
were also undertaken, several being refurbished for accessibility for Sledge Hockey
players. Changes included accessible showers and the widening of doors to allow
wheelchair access into the dressing rooms.
The municipality’s investment was commendable as more athletes with a disability
will surely come from Collingwood after the
success of the 2008 Ontario Paralympic
Winter Championships.
Paralympics Ontario offers many opportunities for community involvement including the Ready, Willing and Able Program
(RWA).This province-wide development
initiative aims to get inactive or newlyinjured persons with a physical disability
(youth in particular) involved in sport and recreation. Over the last
three years, more than 15,000 people have taken part in RWA sessions.
The Community Sport Development Program (CSD) has
expanded the RWA program even further. Through professional
consultation and hands-on assistance, the CSD enables communities
to establish, develop, and launch a sustainable sport club. The goal
of the program is to establish clubs in 11 targeted communities by
2011.
For more information about opportunities available to your
community, contact Paralympics Ontario at: info@paralympics
ontario.ca or visit: www.paralympicsontario.ca.
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SUMMER 2008
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The Road to Beijing
By Debbie Low
Chef de Mission, 2008 Canadian Paralympic Team
Wow! The 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing are finally upon us… set to open just two
weeks after the conclusion of the Olympic Games!
A
s I write this article, I have had the opportunity to reflect on
more than two years of work that has gone into ensuring
that our Canadian Team athletes and coaches will have the environment they require to succeed at the Games.
We have conducted three site visits to Beijing and have been able
to gather quite a bit of information from BOCOG (Beijing
Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) to pass along to our
athletes and coaches.
The sport venues are amazing. We have visited most of the
major venues and even watched a few test events that were going on
during our most recent visit. The challenge will be to get tickets to
events as the ticketing plan overall has been very weak. Test events
were sold out! So, if you’re thinking of travelling to Beijing for the
Games, put your ticket order in now (visit the CPC website –
Beijing Friends & Family link).
Beijing is an incredibly large city with a population of almost
17 million people! This being the first Olympic and Paralympic
Games ever to be held in China has meant that BOCOG has had a
lot to prove as they want to demonstrate that they are a world-class
city. This of course comes with challenges in a country that is
almost 5,000 years old. They are rich in history and culture and
hopefully our Canadian Team members will take the time to visit
some of these incredible sites. My favourite place to visit is the Great
Wall. It is spectacular. In fact, words cannot describe how aweinspiring it truly is to see in person.
So, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Beijing for the
Paralympic Games, make the best of the experience. Visit the Great
Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, or Summer Place. Have a
custom-made suit done in 24 hours; go shopping at the Silk Market
(home of the knock-offs and trust me – you can find anything
there!); wander along Wangfujing; experience the amazing array of
restaurants, and just enjoy.
It’s hard for me to think that this incredible journey will be over
in a few months. I have had the opportunity to work with the bestever Core Leadership Team and staff at the Canadian Paralympic
Committee, and to all of them I say a very big “thank you”! Oh, and
did I mention that I got to meet Jackie Chan?! It’s true – he touched
me!
Good luck to all of our Canadian Team athletes!
Debbie Low, Rob Needham,
Gaetan Tardif and the Friendlies
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WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
Serving the Can-Do Spirit
In Profile with Flavio Pagliero
By:Tina Dealwis
W
heelchair tennis player Flavio Pagliero,
36, not only loves the fun and competition of sports, but he also wants to use sports
to motivate and inspire others. “Not only is it
good for the mind, body and soul, but you
inspire other people. You become a role
model.”
“I think it’s important to show able-bodied
people that we can participate in sports, even if
it’s a bit more challenging for us now,” Flavio
professes. He has been competing for three
years, but has been playing tennis for about five
or six . “It’s about fun for me. It’s not just about
being competitive, although the competitive side
is nice to have. It drives you. It gives you drive,
something to aim for, and that’s a lot of fun too.”
Flavio has been using a wheelchair since an
accident in 2001. He played recreational tennis
before his injury, and was introduced to wheelchair tennis when he saw a custom sports tennis
chair. “I thought it was really cool,” he recalls. “I
started playing tennis while I was in rehab, hitting the ball against the wall. I was horrible at it. With any sport,
there’s always a beginning. It’s practice, practice, and more practice
until you get better.”
Flavio has certainly come a long way from his beginner days. In
2008, he won the Men’s A Division Championship at the Windsor
Indoor Classic Games, and reached the finals in the Pairs competition. Another highlight was winning the Canadian Open three years
ago, where he won the B Division of that
tournament. Last year, he won silver at the
Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.
For the 2008 games, Flavio’s goals are
two-fold. “I want to go out there and perform as best as I can, and hopefully become
a champion. My other goal is to inspire oth-
ers, to show them that people in wheelchairs can play sports.”
In addition to his busy sports life, Flavio
is a dedicated volunteer. He appeared in a
commercial for equal rights hiring, and was
also featured on several billboards. He also
demonstrates tennis to newcomers, and
works with children who are mentally and
physically disabled, and volunteers with the
Canadian Paraplegic Association. “I do some
public speaking about what people who use
wheelchairs can do,” Flavio tells.
When not training or volunteering,
Flavio enjoys doing digital video editing,
going dancing with friends, barbecues, and
spending time with his family and nephews.
“I just enjoy being outdoors, and being
active, whether it is tennis, or hand biking
or whatever.”
Sport of Wheelchair Tennis
Wheelchair Tennis follows the same rules as its able-bodied counterpart, with one exception: the ball is allowed to
bounce two times, provided the first bounce is within the
bounds of the court. The player must return the ball before it
hits the ground a third time.
The wheelchair is considered part of the body and all
rules which apply to a player’s body, apply to the wheelchair.
To win a set an athlete or pair must win six games, with a tiebreak employed at 6:6. Winning two sets wins the game (bestof-three set match).
As for eligibility, athletes must have a permanent substantial or total loss of function in one or both legs. For the quad
division, a player has a disability in three or more limbs.
Wheelchair Tennis first appeared in the International
Paralympic program in 1992 in Barcelona. In the Ontario
ParaSport Games program, Wheelchair Tennis was introduced
at the 2004 Games in Etobicoke. Nationally, the sport is governed by Tennis Canada and provincially by the Ontario
Wheelchair Sports Association (OWSA).
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PA R A LYM P I C M O V E M E N T
Soldier On
Rediscovering the Military Origins of the Paralympic Movement
By: Greg Lagacé
CF Soldier On Manager, Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services
A
fter the Second World War many Canadian soldiers never
returned home, their bodies laid to rest in one of the many
military cemeteries in Europe. The white cross above them was a
symbol of their sacrifice for our freedom.
Others returned home with permanent scars and disabilities,
their mental and physical wounds a symbol of their sacrifice. As the
war ended and freedom reigned, something truly special was founded… a little-known legacy – the Paralympic Movement.
The Allied invasion of Europe during WWII resulted in many
casualties. The significant increase of wounded soldiers called for a
new approach to casualty support and care. In February 1944, the
British government asked Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a German neurosurgeon and sports advocate, to manage a Spinal Cord Injuries
Rehabilitation Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury,
England. The success of using sport as a remedial exercise and clinical treatment for wounded soldiers, including some of the 55,000
Canadians wounded during WWII, provided Dr. Guttmann with
the incentive to organize an international archery competition
which, through his perseverance, grew into what we have come to
know as the Paralympic Games.
While the Paralympic Movement has grown dramatically in size,
scope and international recognition and influence, little has been
known about the origins of this powerful movement, until only
recently.
In 2007 the Canadian Forces, through the Canadian Forces
26
Personnel and Family Support
Services, founded a new program
entitled “CF Soldier On”. CF Soldier
On is a collaborative program with
the Canadian Forces and the
Canadian Paralympic Committee.
The program was established to
support sailors, soldiers, airmen and
airwomen, both serving and retired,
and their eligible dependents with a
physical or mental disability. The
aim is to have individuals fully and
actively participate in fitness and
sport related activities. The promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle
is accomplished through optimizing
physical and mental recovery. For soldiers in particular, the program promotes and supports the return to military service or a transition to civilian life.
By reconnecting the Canadian Forces and the Paralympic
Movement in Canada we honour and preserve the military origins
of the Paralympic Movement and contribute to the operational
readiness and effectiveness of the defence team.
To learn more about the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family
Support Services and the CF Soldier On Program, please visit
www.CFSoldierOn.ca.
SUMMER 2008
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Page 27
Supporting and contributing to
the development of Ontario’s
sport system and its leaders,
and creating partnerships and
connections to enhance the
sport
experience.
27
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OPWC PROFILE
Collingwood Delivers
The 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships
F
rom February 15-17th, 2008, over
420 athletes, coaches, officials and
support staff descended on Collingwood
for what was a tremendous second edition of the Ontario Paralympic Winter
Championships (OPWC).
Winter Championships. Organizing
Committee Chair Kathy Jeffery said it all:
“Volunteering is a team sport too! My team
also won Gold!” Congratulations
Collingwood. We look forward to a repeat
performance in years to come!
Building upon the success of the premiere OPWC held in Huntsville in 2006,
this fabulous event highlighted seven
ParaSports including: Para Alpine Skiing,
Para Nordic Skiing, Sledge Hockey,
Wheelchair Curling, Wheelchair Rugby,
Wheelchair Basketball and Swimming.
Over 300 volunteers were on hand to
ensure first-class services and facilities. The
Host Organizing Committee led by Kathy
Jeffery did a phenomenal job preparing for
the athletes.
“Quotables”
Heartfelt words from dignitaries, athletes, coaches & officials.
“Our province’s athletes are an inspiration
to all Ontarians, and it was an unforgettable
experience watching them strive for – and
achieve – their personal bests. The 2008
were a first-class experience that will be
remembered by all participants for a lifetime.”
Margarett R. Best
Minister of Health Promotion
“Thanks for a wonderful three days at the
Championships. On the Alpine front everything was first-class for the racers, coaches
and support!”
Special congratulations to all of the athletes for their outstanding level of competition, enthusiasm and dedication to their
respective sports. Spectators were treated to
an exciting three days of competition, witnessing both the thrill of victory and the
agony of defeat. Congratulations to the athletes who took home close to 300 medals.
As a legacy to this Championship,
Collingwood will be starting a ParaSport
28
Bursary Program for local ParaSport athletes. With the emphasis on funding local
athletes pursuing ParaSport goals at both
the regional and provincial levels, it is
Collingwood’s goal to ultimately ensure that
no athlete is denied access to barrier-free
sport due to limited finances. The policies
and criteria surrounding the implementation of this bursary program will be established in 2008 with funds being made
available to athletes in 2009.
In addition to the bursary program,
upgrades to several community facilities, in
terms of accessibility, stand as another legacy left to the Town of Collingwood. The
Collingwood Curling Club now boasts a
fully accessible second floor viewing area
and club room, with the installation of an
elevator. Likewise, the Eddie Bush
Memorial Arena has been outfitted with
wider doorways, accessible locker room
showers and improved signage and visual
cues for persons with visual impairments.
Way to go Collingwood!
Many thanks to all who contributed to
the success of the 2008 Ontario Paralympic
Bruce Meredith
Sport Technical Representative –
Ontario Disabled Alpine Race Team
“Paralympics Ontario gives athletes, coaches, parents, and friends alike, the opportunity to experience the true Paralympic/
Olympic spirit that a great majority of us
would never otherwise have the opportunity to live out. You have given us all memories that we will cherish forever!”
David Hackett, Head Coach
Ontario Disabled Alpine Race Team
“Thank you and your staff, the organizing
committee, the local companies, the many
volunteers, and of course THE ARMY, and
the various towns and their staff who so
warmly gave of their time to contribute to
such a successful event. The 2008 Ontario
Winter Paralympic Championships will be
remembered, by many, as ‘the’ event of a
lifetime.”
Jeff Penner, Para Alpine
Coach/Paralympic Athlete
SUMMER 2008
7/3/08
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Page 30
VOLUNTEER
Giving Back
In Profile with Faye Blackwood
By:Tina Dealwis
W
hether as an athlete, coach, volunteer, or award winner,
Faye Blackwood’s love of sports and dedication to developing and promoting it for others has inspired and awed many
over the years.
Faye first became involved with sports for athletes with a disability during her time at the University of Waterloo. During her work
terms, she always sought out placements where she could work
with people with disabilities. In the fall of 1981, she landed a job
teaching adaptive physical education to “special ed” students in
Scarborough.
Faye is an accomplished athlete herself, a former 100m hurdle
track and field athlete. She competed on Canada’s National Team
from 1983-1987. When she retired as an athlete, she put her energy
into coaching athletes with disabilities, something that was in great
need. “I saw that there really wasn’t any coaching for these athletes.
So I started volunteering, informally coaching in the fall of 1988,
and have been coaching officially ever since.”
But coaching has been only one aspect of Faye’s volunteer duties.
She has served on countless committees, including the Canadian
Paralympic Committee’s Games Committee. She has sat on the
Paralympics Ontario Games Council, serving as the Chair of this
committee since 2006. Faye has been a member of the Paralympics
Ontario Board of Directors since 2003 and presently holds the position of VP of Competitions. This year she is focusing on mentoring.
“I am mentoring a coach who wants to do his level 3. It’s been exciting,” Faye says.
Faye was surprised and delighted to be chosen as the recipient
30
of the 2007 Ron Foster Award for her enduring and impacting volunteer commitment. Of her many achievements, Faye says that winning the Ron Foster Award is probably her greatest accomplishment.
“The recognition was pretty amazing. It totally caught me off guard
and was a total surprise,” Faye confesses. Add that to another career
highlight - winning the Female Coach of the Year Award for the
Province of Ontario in 1997.
When asked about favourite memories Faye quickly points to
the success of others. For her, she recounts her wonderful experience at the Barcelona Paralympic Games in 1992, where she was a
coach. “I had four athletes and every one of them either won a
medal or reached a personal best. One of my athletes won gold!”
Faye emphasizes the importance of giving back to sports. “I want
to continue to contribute because sport has been really good to me.
Being on the national team and being able to travel to compete
around the world… it was incredible. In return, if I can help or
guide even one athlete in their lives, I’ll do it… it’s well worth it.”
Faye makes a habit of keeping in touch with her athletes after
their athletic careers are complete, something she loves to do. “Her
athletes have gone on to do great things outside of sport and credit
Faye for the confidence that she provided them through sports.
“Sports gave them the confidence to believe in themselves, and to
do whatever they want,” she deflects. But there is no denying that
the friendships and connections Faye has made continue to enrich
and reward her life. In fact, one of her former athletes had twin
girls, and asked Faye to be the Godmother. “I have no complaints
about what sports have done for me,” Faye smiles.
SUMMER 2008
7/3/08
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Page 32
JOIN THE CLUB
Paralympics Ontario’s Affiliated Clubs
Achilles Canada
Fastrack Track & Field Association
Toronto
Kitchener
Peterborough Pacers Wheelchair
Basketball Club
Peterborough
Web:
Contact:
Phone:
Fax:
Sports:
www.achillestrackclub.ca
Brian McLean
416-485-6451
416-485-0823
Running
Achilles Canada is a non-profit organization that
provides people with various disabilities an opportunity to receive the physical, psychological, and communal benefits of running. The club offers training
and support by able-bodied members to its Achilles
athletes of all ability levels. Guide runners and volunteers are always needed, and sponsorship is
greatly appreciated.
Blazers Wheelchair Sports Group
Brampton
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
Kathy Ludwig
905-790-6732
[email protected]
Wheelchair Basketball
The Blazers offer Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia and
a multi-sport fun and games group. The multi-sport
group is open to children age three and up with
their siblings and friends who also play in wheelchairs. Emphasize is on fun and socialization.
Wheelchair basketball and Boccia both offer the
opportunity for recreational and competitive play,
and are open to any age group. Siblings and friends
are welcome as recreational players.
Cruisers Sports for the Physically
Disabled
Mississauga
Web:
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
www.cruisers-sports.com
Tony Gale
905-866-5619
[email protected]
Track & Field, Boccia,
Sledge Hockey
A non-profit charitable organization providing
sports and recreational opportunities to people with
physical disabilities living in the municipalities of
Peel and Halton. Sledge Hockey is the Cruisers’ most
popular program with over 90 percent of their registered athletes participating either competitively or
recreationally on a team. Track & Field and Boccia
are the Cruisers other main programs which have
produced many great athletes over their 21 years of
existence.
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
Genevieve Gibson
519-894-8713
[email protected]
Track & Field
The Fastrack Club provides opportunities for children and adults with a physical disability to participate in a variety of track and field events.
Ambulatory athletes as well as those using a wheelchair are invited to try a wide range of track activities. Field events include shot put, discus, javelin
and long jump. The emphasis is on personal
improvement but all athletes are strongly encouraged to participate in the Regional and Provincial
track meets. All equipment and coaching is provided
by the track club. Fastrack is affiliated with the
Kitchener-Waterloo Track and Field Association
(KWTFA).
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
Jeremiah Wade
705-740-5559
[email protected]
Wheelchair Basketball
Paralympics Ontario and the Ontario Wheelchair
Sports Association have partnered on an exciting
initiative. The organizations, along with community
volunteers, have been working diligently over the
past year to create, provide, and initiate a wheelchair basketball club development model in the City
of Peterborough. Almost one year has passed since
the team formed with much progress already
achieved. As the team continues to develop, the
club continues to grow, looking to become a cornerstone in the local sports community.
SD Lambton
Georgian Bay Breakers Sports Club
Sarnia
Collingwood
Web:
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
Web:
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
www.breakingdownbarriers.org
Michael Clark
705-321-4551
[email protected]
Boccia, Track & Field,
Wheelchair Curling
The Breaking Down Barriers Sports Club promotes
active living by supporting training for athletes with
disabilities, working closely with other organizations
to offer new opportunities and encourage athletes
to move at their own pace and enjoy a positive
experience. The sporting activities are open to people of all disabilities and are offered free of charge.
National Capital Wheelchair Tennis
Association
Ottawa
Web:
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
www.magma.ca/~ncwta
Barry Butler
613-225-9388
[email protected]
Wheelchair Tennis
Wheelchair tennis in the Ottawa region is guided by
the National Capital Wheelchair Tennis Association
(NCWTA) dedicated to promoting and providing
competitive and community-based wheelchair tennis activities for persons with a physical disability.
The NCWTA is a volunteer-based body administered
by an elected board of directors.
www.sdlambton.com
Brenda Windsor
519-542-9094
[email protected]
Track & Field, Powerlifting,
Sledge Hockey, Boccia
SD Lambton (Sports for the Disabled) brings sport to
individuals with a disability in Lambton County. This
sports club works closely with provincial sport
organizations to bring opportunities to its athletes.
Everyone is encouraged to move at their own pace
and a positive and enjoyable experience is emphasized. Sports for Disabled gives the opportunity to
compete in sports for physical well being, socialization or at provincial, national, or international levels.
Sport By Ability Niagara
St. Catherines
Web:
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
www.sban.ca
Judy Gronman
905-687-6988
[email protected]
Track & Field, Sledge Hockey
Formed in 1986, Sport by Ability Niagara (SBAN) is a
non-profit organization benefiting people with physical disabilities in the Niagara Region. The goal of
SBAN is to provide people of all ages and abilities
the chance to participate in the sport of their choice.
Members are encouraged to participate in SBAN
sports and recreation programs, as well as attend
various track & field events throughout the year.
Interested in registering your club?
If so, download the 2008 Club Affiliation form at www.paralympicsontario.ca
and reap the many benefits! A description of insurance coverage can be downloaded
from the Resource Section of the website.
32
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Page 33
Variety Village
Scarborough
Web:
Contact:
Phone:
Sports:
www.varietyontario.ca
Steve Bialowas
416-699-7167
Track & Field, Boccia, Powerlifting, Basketball, Swimming
For more than 60 years, Variety – The Children’s Charity in Ontario has worked
with young people with disabilities and those who face developmental barriers
to achieve their life potential. A world-recognized authority providing integrated sports and life skills programs, applied research and learning programs that
change children’s lives and strengthen communities.
Windsor Bulldogs
Tecumseh
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Sports:
David Greig
519-977-9069
[email protected]
Track & Field, Powerlifting, Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia
Canada’s southernmost multi-disability, multi-sport club, and one of the
longest-standing disability sport organizations in the Province. Programs
include access to training and competitive opportunities for track and field,
powerlifting and rifle shooting. The Bulldogs’ newest offering is a recreational
program targeted at youth ages 4-10 with disabilities, their siblings and
friends. Base cost for a membership is $50/year plus facility fees. Programs that
are not running at the moment, but can be offered based on demand include
wheelchair basketball, boccia and rugby.
On behalf of the
family of
pharmacies we would like to congratulate
all who are participating at the
Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.
The
family of pharmacies:
A pharmacy first.
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Page 34
ONTARIO PAR ASPORT REGIONAL SUMMER GA MES
2008 Summer Regionals
in Review
The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, in conjunction with the Ottawa Odyssey Boccia
Club, kicked off the 2008 summer season by hosting the first set of Paralympics Ontario
ParaSport Regional Summer Games.
T
he athletics events were contested at the Terry
Fox Athletics Stadium and the Boccia event was
showcased at Carleton University. A strong field of
over 80 athletes took part in both athletics (track
and field) and boccia in the first of two qualifiers
for the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.
Honorable mentions go out to Leah Robinson who
took first place in both the 100m and 200m races in
the T37 category, and to Michael Johnstone who garnered first place in the javelin throw with a distance
of 25.87m. This effort moved Michael up to a 6th
place world ranking in the T38 category.
The second set of ParaSport Regional Summer
Games was held on a beautiful Sunday in London,
hosted by the London Legion Track
and Field Club and the London
Cannonballs Boccia Club. In the
Boccia event, Brock Richardson
took top honours in the BC1 division with Adam Dukovich taking
the BC2 division. Both athletes have put in strong showings so far this season as they prepare to represent Canada
at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Beijing.
A number of phenomenal athletics performances were
also witnessed in the TD Waterhouse Stadium at the
University of Western Ontario throughout the day. The
34
Cruisers Sport for the Physically Disabled Club had
numerous athletes in medal contention and they did
not disappoint. Standout Isaiah Christophe took
straight firsts across the board in the T54 junior division in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and
5,000m events.
In working towards their mainstay goal of inclusion, Paralympics Ontario supported a proposal to
include elementary school-aged athletes without disabilities from the London Legion Track Club in
selected events. Both sets of athletes enjoyed witnessing each others athletics pursuits.
Congratulations to all of the athletes who qualified to participate in the 2008 Ontario ParaSport
Summer Games hosted by Variety
Village and Centennial College.
Paralympics Ontario would
like to thank both Organizing
Committees for their tireless work
and also recognize the many volunteers and officials for making these Regional Games
possible.
Communities interested in hosting Regional Games in
2009 are asked to contact Paralympics Ontario at (416)
426-7187 or [email protected].
SUMMER 2008
7/3/08
2:26 PM
Page 35
BOCCIA
Friendly
Competition
In Profile with Brock Richardson
By:Tina Dealwis
F
or Brock Richardson, sports are just as much about friendship as
they are about competition. “I’ve learned that being competitive
is fun, and I’ve learned how to strategize. But sports is about making
friends, too,” Brock says.
Brock started competing in boccia six years ago. The seventeenyear-old credits his special needs worker with introducing him to the
sport. “She wanted me to get into sports, because all of my friends
were involved,” Brock recalls.
Brock has cerebral palsy. With boccia, he has found a sport he
loves, a natural talent, and a lot of success. A very skilled competitor,
he has won 2nd place at both the 2008 Nationals and Boccia Blast
2007. He took top honours at the 2007 provincials last year. For the
2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games, Brock’s goal is to build on
his past successes. In particular, he is preparing for the Paralympic Games in Beijing in
September. “I think I could end up in the
top 10 or 20 in China,” Brock predicts. “I
think that’s a good goal for me. I also obviously want to take in the experience and
represent my country as best as I can.”
He credits his sponsors, Ed and Inga
Robson, who work for Plastik Belt, with
helping him to achieve his highest vision for
success. “If it wasn’t for them, this wouldn’t
be possible,” Brock thanks. Brock trains five
days a week. He works out with his hand
bike, practices throwing boccia balls, and
does stretches.
Sidney Crosby is one of Brock’s biggest
sports heroes because he is a role model to
younger athletes. “Sidney Crosby is an example that young people can do just as much
as the veterans. He shows that young people
can go just as far, or farther, as the veterans.”
When asked why he plays competitive
sports, Brock’s answer is simple. “I compete
for the love of sport. I always wanted to play
professional sports and this is to some
degree professional sports.”
In his free time, Brock enjoys camping,
playing video games, watching TV, and traveling. For athletes with disabilities who are
considering becoming involved in sports,
Brock has some sage words of advice: “Never
give up on your dream. What you put your
mind to, you can accomplish.”
Sport of Boccia
Boccia is a sport that originates from a
favourite Italian pastime. It is believed that
the first indoor boccia balls were made by
a disabled shoemaker in Denmark. He
showed the sport to his friends who in
turn played it in their respective sport
clubs. Soon, athletes throughout Europe
were playing.
The main objective of Boccia is to place
your coloured ball closer than your opponent’s ball to the white target (jack) ball.
The scoring is similar to that of curling;
each ball closer to the jack than your
opponents equals one point. At the end of
four ends, the player with the most points
wins. Players can throw, kick or use a
chute to propel the balls onto the court.
Boccia made its first appearance at the
1992 Paralympics in Barcelona. Today, it
remains the premier sport for athletes with
disabilities involving significant functional
impairment and provides spectators and
competitors with thrilling, high-level competition. It’s one of only two sports that
have stood the test of time throughout the
history of the Ontario ParaSport Games
program, debuting at the inaugural Games
in 1975. The governing body at the
provincial level is the Ontario Cerebral
Palsy Sports Association (OCPSA).
35
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Page 36
PSO PROFILES
Provincial Sport Organizations
Paralympics Ontario
Paralympics Ontario (PO) formerly known as Sport for
Disabled Ontario (SDO) was
created in 1981, with the mandate to provide competitive
opportunities on behalf of its
four member organizations:
Ontario Amputee and Les
Autres Sports Association,
Ontario Blind Sports Association, Ontario Wheelchair
Sports Association and Ontario
Cerebral Palsy Sports Association.
The first Ontario Games for
the Physically Disabled hosted
in conjunction with its four
member organizations was held
in Cambridge in 1975. Since
then the names of the organization and the event has changed
but the mandate has remained
the same.
In 2006 PO introduced a
Winter Games component to
it’s mandate and to date has
run two successful winter
Games as well as a set of
Winter Regionals.
In conjunction with the
mandate to provide competitive
opportunity in Ontario, PO also
provides Ready, Willing & Able
introductory sport sessions
across the province as well as
eight-week sport specific skill
development sessions. Recently
this program has grown to
include a Community Sport
Development program that
helps fund the inanition of
new clubs for athletes with a
disability.
For more information on
Paralympics Ontario programs
and events, contact: (416) 4267187; or info@paralympics
ontario.ca. You can also visit our
website at www.paralympics
ontario.ca.
Ontario Blind Sports Association
The Ontario Blind Sports
Association (OBSA) plans,
promotes, coordinates and
sanctions events and activities
designed to stimulate and assist
the further development of
sports programs for blind athletes in Ontario.
OBSA was incorporated in
1984. The association selects
athletes, coaches and support
personnel to be members of
teams representing the province
of Ontario in sports competitions and programs for blind
athletes, including track & field,
powerlifting, goalball and lawn
bowls, to name a few. OBSA
also works to increase opportunities for inclusion of its members in able-bodied sporting
programs. Swimming, powerlifting, judo and wrestling have
been integrated sports for blind
athletes for several years.
OBSA provides a forum for
the exchange of opinions,
expertise and resources relating
to sports for blind athletes,
which includes media and public awareness. For more infor-
mation: OBSA, (416) 426-7244;
[email protected].
Ontario Amputee & Les Autres Sports Association
The Ontario Amputee & Les
Autres Sports Association
celebrated its 25th anniversary
in 2001. In 1976, a small
group of individuals recognized
the need for amputee athletes
to have a voice and an organization to represent their sporting interests. The Ontario
Amputee Sports Association
was formed to help organize,
promote and raise funds on
behalf of its athletes. Several
36
years ago the name of the
organization was changed to
Ontario Amputee & Les Autres
Sports Association (OALASA)
to include a group of athletes
with disabilities (les autres)
who do not fit the classification
criteria of the other three
provincial disabled sporting
groups.
OALASA athletes participate
in boccia, golf, hockey, lawn
bowls, shooting, swimming,
track & field and rowing. They
compete at regional, provincial,
national and international levels.
Each year, OALASA hosts four
golf tournaments.
Finding a sport for young
amputees, new amputees and
les autres athletes to enjoy is
high priority for OALASA. For
more information, OALASA,
416-426-7187; email
[email protected].
SUMMER 2008
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Page 37
PSO PROFILES
Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association
The Ontario Cerebral Palsy
Sports Association (OCPSA)
believes in the value of sport
and that sport builds success in
all aspects of life. It provides,
promotes and coordinates sport
and recreation opportunities for
athletes within the cerebral
palsy family. Persons who have
had a stroke, acquired brain
injury, or have other locomotor
disabilities may qualify within
the CP family. OCPSA recruits,
develops and supports athletes,
coaches and volunteers in and
around the sports of boccia and
track & field. Through the
GOCPSA development program, OCPSA delivers seminars, clinics and presentations
to train athletes, develop clubs
and provide awareness within
communities. Have OCPSA
come and help your club grow!
Looking for Boccia equipment?
OCPSA is the official Canadian
distributor of HANDE LIFE
SPORT boccia balls! Order now
by emailing:
[email protected]. For
further information on OCPSA
and its programs, please visit:
www.ocpsa.com; Tel: 1-866-2862772.
The Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association
The Ontario Wheelchair
Sports Association (OWSA)
was formed in 1972 with a
dozen members. Today, wheelchair athletes from Ontario regularly form a major part of the
Canadian wheelchair teams
competing internationally.
OWSA now includes the
Bridging the Gap Program to
help introduce persons in
wheelchairs to the sports available to them. Membership consists of wheelchair users, volunteers, coaches, officials and
administrators. OWSA relies
heavily on volunteers from the
community to maintain the
direction and programs of the
organization, which include
fundraising, special events,
planning and coaching.
Members can participate
through the community club
structure as an entry level for
involvement and selection to
Provincial teams. OWSA currently governs five sports: athletics, rugby, basketball, tennis
and powerlifting. For more
information: OWSA, (416) 4267189; email info@ontwheel
chairsports.org.
Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association
Ontario Therapeutic Riding
Association (OnTRA) is a
provincial organization that promotes riding as a form of therapy for children and adults with
physical and/or cognitive impairments. While OnTRA does not
operate a therapeutic riding centre, at present the association has
42 member centres.
OnTRA provides a variety of
services to its member centers
and the 6,000 riders the centers
serve including educational clinics, competitions, grant programs, representation within the
Ontario Equestrian Federation
(OEF), and a used equipment
program.
37
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POWERLIFTING
Power Play
In Profile with Sally Thomas
By:Tina Dealwis
P
PHOTO: Kevin Bogetti-Smith.
owerlifter Sally Thomas, 37, is
proof that talent can be discovered unexpectedly. At age 10, Sally’s
parents introduced her to track and
field. She won her first race. Years
later, her track coach made each
team member do a strength test, and
Sally’s results were astounding. “I
beat everyone, including the boys,”
Sally remembers.
Sally Thomas
Witnessing Sally’s great gift, the coach encouraged her to start
powerlifting. In powerlifting, she has found her niche, and much
success. “This is definitely my sport,” she says. Sally has won nine
medals at the 12 events she has competed in since her first competition in 2001.
At her first meet, Sally used a substitute coach. “He asked me
how much I could lift, and I didn’t know. He just put the weights
on the bar, and I didn’t know how much I was lifting. I think it was
about 100 pounds right off the start.” From that competition, Sally
made the national team.
Competitive sports are a huge part of Sally’s life. She has spina
bifida and says that sports have taught her a lot about herself. “Sport
has meant a lot to me, and that’s why I keep doing it,” Sally shares.
“It has taught me many things, but focus and perseverance may be
the two biggest.”
Sally tried many different sports before she found the right one
for her, and encourages other athletes to keep trying until they find
their sport. “Go for it. Find something you like to do, and figure out
a way to do it,” she promotes. “I don’t give up easily. I don’t like to
take no for an answer. Stubborn is good when it comes to athletics,”
she grins.
Sally trains four days a week, both with a coach and independently. In addition to powerlifting, she also plays on a Division II basketball team once a week.
For the Ontario ParaSport Summer Games, Sally says she is
focused on improving her technique to prepare for international
competition. “I’ll try to
work on what I need to do
to be successful internationally.” Sally has been
selected to the 2008
Canadian Paralympic
Team, and is looking forward to the Games in
Beijing in September.
A certified personal
trainer herself, she enjoys helping people through training but doesn’t particularly like the business side of the job. She wants to work
with children, and aspires to be a teacher. “I’d like to work with
troubled kids… teaching when it’s not a business. “I like teaching
and I like inspiring people.”
The Sport of Powerlifting
Powerlifting, as an adapted sport, is the ultimate test of
upper body strength with athletes competing on a bench
press only. Competitors must lower the bar to the chest,
hold it motionless on the chest and then press it upwards
to arms length with locked elbows. The athletes are given
three attempts and the winner is the athlete who lifts the
highest number of kilograms. As a minimum disability
criterion, athletes must have the ability to fully extend the
arms with no more than a 20-degree loss of full extension
on either elbow when making an approved lift according
to the rules for their bodyweight.
Powerlifting is open to athletes with cerebral palsy,
spinal cord injuries, amputees (lower limb amputees
only) and “les autres” (other athletes who meet minimal
disability criteria). It was included on the international
Paralympic program in 1964, with a women’s division
added in 2000. The sport has been in the modern
Ontario ParaSport Games program since 2004, but had a
large drawing in the 1980s as well. While not recognized
at the Paralympic Games, athletes with visual impairments and blindness compete in Powerlifting in the
Ontario ParaSport Games program. The sport is sanctioned at the provincial level by the Ontario Powerlifting
Association.
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COACHING
Heart of the Matter
In Profile with Amanda Fader
By:Tina Dealwis
W
hy does Amanda Fader coach? One word: Goosebumps.
“Goosebumps brought about by an athlete crossing the
finish line with a personal best performance is why I coach,”
Amanda explains. That excitement and dedication to her athletes
is only part of why Amanda is Paralympics Ontario’s 2008 Coach
of the Year. The other part is all heart.
Amanda with Athlete Josh Cassidy
Amanda has coached wheelchair track for the past 12 years. She
started her coaching career in the able-bodied world, but it wasn’t
long before she began working with athletes with disabilities. She
was recruited to the Auto Alliance Track and Field Club, and never
looked back. “I got hooked, and have been a wheelchair coach ever
since I caught the coaching bug,” Amanda tells.
“Being able to be diverse in my abilities to coach all levels has
enabled me to grow as a coach,” Amanda says. “I’ve been involved
with sports my entire life and catching the coaching bug has
enabled me to participate from a totally different perspective.”
Amanda says she loves the excitement that wheelchair sports
offer. “What really hooked me was the fast pace, the strategy of
wheelchair racing, the sounds, lots of laughs, hard work, and good
times.”
Amanda has had many special moments during her coaching
career. She remembers the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens in
particular, where she was selected as a coach for the Canadian
Team. She was ecstatic when one of her own athletes won the silver
medal. “She had the race of her life. She had the best start of her
career and secured a silver medal. To say I was proud is an understatement.” Right before the race, she remembers finding a collectors’ edition 2 Euro piece in the middle of the huge crowd. “It was
my lucky 2 Euro piece,” she laughs.
This year is a big year for Amanda as well. She is currently balancing her coaching time between a beginner and a veteran athlete,
40
and is enjoying the challenges of meeting her athletes’ diverse needs.
She is also involved with a world junior team this summer.
As for the future, Amanda hopes that the Ontario ParaSport
Summer Games will continue to grow. “I would love to see the
number of athletes increase, with full teams going to the Games,
and more athletic events.”
Outside of coaching, Amanda works as Executive Director of the
Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association. She enjoys gardening,
and spending time at the cottage, and has developed a new interest
in making pottery. But at the heart of her life is sport. “My entire life
is sport, from working to volunteering. I’m involved in all kinds of
different areas of sport, from a career standpoint and a personal
commitment with my free time.”
Amanda receiving 2007 PO Coach of the Year Award.
SUMMER 2008
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Page 41
CLUB PROFILE
Keeping Pace
From passion, dedication and community has come the
Peterborough Pacers Wheelchair Basketball Club.
T
he Peterborough club is the first of its kind to be developed through club development programs made available
by the Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association and
Paralympics Ontario.
Seven years ago Jeremiah Wade’s legs stopped working. He
can walk with canes but he doesn’t have the physical strength to
play basketball without a wheelchair. Surprised that
Peterborough, a community of over 75,000, did not have a
wheelchair team for him to play on he decided to make it his
mission to start one.
The Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association generously loaned
eight sports wheelchairs to the team for use for as long as the
program runs. With the help of community partners Five
Counties Children’s Centre and the Council for Persons with
Disabilities, as well as Brenda Evans whose son plays for the
Pacers, interested players were recruited to an eight-week skill
development session in the spring.
Funded in part by the Ontario Trillium Foundation the team
met weekly with eager coaches, Jeremiah and Brenda, to learn,
play and develop their skills under the instruction of Irene Van
Eenoo. A retired two-time Paralympian and gold medal winner in
Wheelchair Basketball at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, Van
Eenoo continues to contribute to her sport in a coach mentorship
role as part of the CSD program and has been witness to the incredible progress the team has made over the course of the year. “I am
so excited to see a wheelchair basketball team coming together in
Peterborough,” says Van Eenoo.
This past fall the Pacers again engaged their community by looking for help with the creation of a team logo. A community-wide
logo creation contest found Nora at Studio-N, and soon thereafter
her logo submission was on t-shirts and banners in traditional
Peterborough maroon and white.
This winter the Pacers wasted no time in hosting their first
tournament as part of Ontario
Wheelchair Sports
Association’s Development
League. The venue was
Kenner Collegiate High
School, where the Pacers
practice weekly in the donated gym space. Teams from
across Ontario, friends and
family of the Pacers, the
Mayor of Peterborough, Paralympics Ontario staff, and of
course Irene Van Eenoo, came
together to celebrate the wonderful success that the CSD program hopes to see repeated in many
communities across Ontario in the future.
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PAR AEQUESTRIAN
Back in the Saddle
In Profile with Jody Schloss
By:Tina Dealwis
“
B
elieve in yourself, because there are no limitations if you
believe in yourself.” These wise words of advice from Paraequestrian rider Jody Schloss are not just lip-service. Jody truly
embodies this philosophy in the way she lives her life and in her
approach to her riding.
Jody started riding when she was 10 years old. She was involved
in a serious accident 11 years ago, at age 24, but she was determined to ride again. Two years later she started Para-equestrian riding. “It started after my injury, to prove myself as a competent
rider,” Jody explains.
Jody says that riding has taught her a lot. “I love my sport. I’ve
learned a lot about not only thinking about myself but others, and it
has taught me a lot about perseverance and determination.”
Jody’s success is a testament to her drive and love and joy for
riding. She has been training at the Community Association for
Riding for the Disabled (CARD) since 1999. She trains at CARD
twice a week, and spends time at another stable four days a week.
Frances Elliott-Streeter, Jody’s friend and fellow Para-equestrian
rider, says that Jody has a great support system behind her to help
her accomplish her goals. “It’s important for an athlete to have a
support team around them to help this love of horses to blossom,”
Frances says.
If her long list of accolades is any indication, Jody’s love of horses has certainly blossomed. Jody won a bronze medal at the 2007
Ontario ParaSport Summer Games. She has also won the Shoppers
Home Healthcare Trophy for an athlete who has overcome substantial challenges in order to compete. She was also the Intermediate
Level Provincial Champion at the 2007 OnTRA Provincial Dressage
Championships. And she was nominated for athlete of the year.
Looking ahead, Jody’s goal is to compete in the 2010 World
Championships in Kentucky.
Outside of riding, Frances describes Jody as “a multi-talented
athlete. She skis, she swims, and she has jumped out of an airplane
(with parachute of course). She does a lot of traveling. She has been
42
an inspiration to other people, helping them realize that you must
believe in yourself, and push through those barriers we put on ourselves,” Frances admires.
In addition to her equestrian duties, Jody recently graduated
from a diploma course at George Brown College in Toronto. She has
her Educational Assistant certification, with honours. She teaches
children with disabilities - “a true love”, she emphasizes. And she is
presently working on a book about her experiences.
“It’s amazing that she does all that she does,” Frances boasts with
much pride.
Sport of ParaEquestrian
ParaEquestrian is a multi-disability sport, open to athletes with a
physical disability and those with visual impairment or blindness.
Events are mixed and grouped according to their functional profiles.
Riders compete in two Dressage events - a Championship Test of set
movements and a Freestyle Test to music. Competitors are judged
on their display of horsemanship skills as they ride their horse using
a series of commands for walk, trot and canter. Riders may use permitted assistive devices such as dressage crops, a connecting rein
bar, rubber bands or other aids. The competition is judged on how
the horse/pony performs under the influence of the rider. The more
skillful the rider, the better the horse is able to perform without
resistance, rhythmically and with suppleness, reflecting the skills of
the rider.
ParaEquestrian’s first introduction into the international
Paralympic program came in Atlanta in 1996. It was first featured
on the Ontario ParaSport Games program in 2007 in Sarnia. The
sport is internationally governed by the International Equestrian
Federation (FEI), nationally by Equine Canada and provincially by
the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA).
SUMMER 2008
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7/8/08
11:11 AM
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World Class Boccia Athlete World Class Boccia

Transcription

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