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This is the February edition of the Coaches Newsletter that is shared with coaches, educators and volunteers. | | |
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24h Blue Mountain
February 24th - 25th
The Sixth annual 24h BLUE MTN is a fantastic team relay fundraising event to benefit Special Olympics and the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation.
Learn more by scrolling down!
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Polar Plunge
January - April
Calling all do-gooders with a little courage and a warm heart willing to get cold and creative for a worthy cause.
Learn more by scrolling down!
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Up Your Game Coaching Webinar
April 19th
Brought to you by Special Olympics Canada, the Up Your Game Webinar Series will cover the basics to help community coaches feel comfortable and confident in their programs!
Learn more by scrolling down!
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Athlete of the Month: Gael Shindano
Meet Gael Shindano, a dedicated Special Olympics athlete from Ottawa, Ontario. With 12 years of participation in athletics, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and swimming... Gael cherishes the acceptance and friendships found in the Special Olympics community.
Click here to read more about Gael's journey.
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Char Lan High School: Fostering Unity and Inclusion
Nestled in Williamstown, Ontario, Char-Lan High School is a small rural institution with a big heart for inclusivity and sportsmanship. Despite its modest size, the school has made a significant impact...
Click here to read more about Char-Lan's commitment to inclusion.
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Scotiabank has been a generous sponsor of Special Olympics for over 10 years, and we are looking to gather some additional information on the support Scotiabank has provided for you or your community.
Please let us know if you have any information or stories about support you have received and/or if you are a volunteer who works for Scotiabank.
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The 2024 Tim Hortons Special Olympics Donut campaign was a record year, raising more than $880,000 across Canada!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, pre-ordered, and shared on social media. Your enthusiasm and commitment turned this campaign into a success story. The online community takeover was truly inspiring, showcasing your dedication to inclusion and empowerment.
What to see some of the best moments from this year's campaign? Check the link below to see amazing photos we received from people across the province!
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We are very pleased to be back at the beautiful Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, for the 6th annual 24h BLUE MTN Ski and Snowboard Relay – taking place the weekend of February 24th-25th, 2024.
This is an exciting fundraising opportunity, as 75% of all funds raised online by SOO registered teams will be sent back to your Community or Club!
This year, we have made two changes to make it easier for our SOO teams to participate and benefit from this opportunity:
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Fundraise to waive your registration fee! The cost to ski or snowboard in this event is a $175 registration fee and a $175 fundraising minimum - this year you have the option to fundraise your registration fee! There is no upfront cost to register, just a commitment to fundraise a minimum of $350.
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We are bringing back the popular Run/Walk relay! Not a skier or snowboarder but want to fundraise for your community and come spend a fun weekend at Blue Mountain Resort? Register to participate in the 24hr Run/Walk relay of the 1km route throughout the village, for just a $150 fundraising commitment.
All you must do to partake in this opportunity is register at 24hbluemtn.ca, and then email Anna Creighton at annac@specialolympicsontario.com and let us know the name of your team and which SOO Community or Club you are fundraising for.
See you on the slopes!
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The Season for Freezin' is Here! | |
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Calling all do-gooders with a little courage and a warm heart willing to get cold and creative for a worthy cause.
Every year, the Polar Plunge unites thousands of warm-hearted individuals from all corners of the province in a fantastic endeavour to plunge into icy waters in support of Special Olympics Ontario.
This incredible event hosted by the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run, is a dynamic platform for individuals, organizations, and businesses to contribute to a worthy cause.
All proceeds raised during this freezing feat are funnelled into essential programs and events benefitting an impressive 23,000 Special Olympics athletes spread across Ontario. What's more, a commendable 75% of the funds raised by registered athletes and volunteers directly benefit your community.
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Find your nearest plunge: | |
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Get ready for the 2024 Provincial Spring Games hosted by the Waterloo Regional Police Service from May 23rd to 26th, 2024!
Almost 500 athletes who were preparing for the 2020 Games, cancelled due to the pandemic, now have a chance to showcase their skills in basketball, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, and 10-pin bowling. These Games are a big deal for Special Olympics athletes in Ontario, representing the peak of their competition and celebrating their amazing abilities.
After these games, athletes aim to secure a spot on Team Ontario for the 2026 National Summer Games in Medicine Hat, AB. If you spot District Training Team members in your community, give them your best wishes!
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2024 Waterloo Region Spring Games – Eastern Ontario Spotlight
Eastern Ontario is bringing a strong contingent to the 2024 Waterloo Region Provincial Spring Games, with 107 athletes and 31 coaches all set to participate! The lineup includes 10 athletes showcasing their skills in 10 Pin Bowling, 48 hitting the courts for Basketball, 6 showing off their strength in powerlifting, 6 demonstrating their rhythmic prowess, and 37 making waves in Swimming! For a comprehensive list of all participating athletes, visit provincialgames.com/district-teams
This month, we're thrilled to shine a spotlight on some outstanding individuals. Meet Aimee Burtch from Lennox & Addington, Gregory Murdoh from Arnprior, Alex Bevacqua from Bellville Quinte West, Ryan Mitchell-Smithson from Perth, Adele Blew from Ottawa, and David Cory from Lennox & Addington!
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Draft an Athlete for the Provincial Games!
Be a part of an athlete's achievement! Be a part of a draft that celebrates inclusion and diversity! Donate today to help an athlete achieve their dreams and compete at the 2024 Provincial Spring Games.
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Special Olympics 2024 Calgary Games Updates | |
The Calgary Games are 5 Days away! | With just 5 days until the Special Olympics National Winter Games in Calgary, (Feb 27th - March 2nd) we are sharing all the important media updates you should know going into the games! Read below for important information on how and where to follow Team Ontario's journey to Calgary. | |
Follow Team Ontario on Socials!
Special Olympics Ontario's Facebook page will act as the central hub for all Games information, updates, and special moments. Please ensure to visit our Facebook page to access the daily schedule, medal counts, results, live stream links and more. (Starting on Feb 27th)
For a variety of photos, reels and stories, check out SOO's Instagram and Twitter pages!
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Airport Send-offs & Coming Home Celebrations
Want to support our Team Ontario athletes as they embark on their journey to the games? Find important airport information (locations & times) by clicking on the button below.
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Check out the Live Results!
Keep track of our Team Ontario athletes' progress by checking their daily results! You can find the results on each sport's dedicated page—just click the button below (and scroll down the page).
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Join in on the fun!
Get in on the fun! Share photos of you cheering on Team Ontario and tag us on Facebook & Instagram (@specialolympicsontario) and Twitter (@SOOntario).
Don't forget to use #teamontario, #onthepodium! #sowg2024 #togetherwecan 📸🎉
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Up Your Game Coaching Webinar Series | |
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Brought to you by Special Olympics Canada, the Up Your Game Webinar Series will cover the basics to help community coaches feel comfortable and confident in their programs!
This webinar will take place via Zoom on April 19, 2024 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
We refer to the participants in our sport programs as athletes. In addition to that, they have unlimited potential to demonstrate leadership and be leaders.
Don't miss this unique webinar on empowering coaches to nurture leadership in Special Olympics athletes. Gain practical tips, strategies, and inspiration to help these athletes become exceptional leaders in and out of sport.
About the facilitator:
Glenn Cundari is the founder and lead coach developer at COACH+, a company designed to support sport organizations in effectively developing their coaches. Having supported coaches in over a dozen sports and 20 countries, he brings a unique perspective to coaching and coach development.
Glenn is a Master Coach Developer in the National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) and brings an impressive breadth and depth of experience in the Special Olympics context. He is a local coach in his community, has been a provincial coach in Ontario, and was the Head Coach of Special Olympics Team Canada at the 2019 world games and, again, for the 2023 World Games in Berlin in the sport of Golf.
Note: Coaches in attendance will receive 1 PD point towards Maintenance of Certification
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SOC Competition Coach Course Calendar | |
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Click On Locations to Register!
The SOC Competition Course is designed to prepare coaches for local, district, or provincial competitions with the primary focus on safety, fun, fitness, fundamentals, and performance as well as basic skills of the sport. This is a required training for volunteers interested in participating in Provincial or National Games.
SOO will be hosting a number of training opportunities this fall:
Click on the location to register!
March 19, 21 & 26 – Virtual
March 23 – Sudbury, ON
March 24 – Beamsville, ON
April 7 – Kingston, ON
SOO also offers sport specific training for coaches in certain disciplines. In these modules, coaches are provided training and education to work in a community or competitive sport program environment. The education and training are intended to provide the coach with the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes needed to coach within a Special Olympics environment. SOO is offering 1 upcoming course:
Floor Hockey – February 4, Toronto, ON
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Join Our Special Olympics Ontario Social Media Network! | |
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Discover the power of the SOO Social Media Community!
Join our bi-monthly email newsletter to access a community of amazing resources. From insights to interactive webinars and a thriving network, we've got your social media journey covered. Whether you're an individual or managing your community's social accounts, our community is here to support your growth and success!
To sign up, click the button below!
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Need a Gift Card To Support Your Next Event? | |
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Just a reminder that we have gift cards that can be used to support your events. Both Tim’s and Sobey’s have asked that we do not directly make financial requests to their stores. The protocol is to go through Special Olympics Canada. These terrific sponsor relationships need to be managed accordingly.
If you are interested, you must fill out a request form which you can access by clicking on the button below!
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FEBRUARY 24TH
Peterborough - Basketball
Stratford - Basketball
FEBRUARY 25TH
Welland - 5 Pin
Collingwood - Pickleball
MARCH 2ND
Halton Hills - Basketball
Milton - Curling
MARCH 3RD
Peterborough - 5 Pin
Brantford - Swimming
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MARCH 9TH
Kingston - Curling
MARCH 10TH
Kitchener-Waterloo - Powerlifting
MARCH 16TH
Stratford - Curling
Oakville - Swimming
Toronto - 10 Pin
MARCH 17TH
Greater Durham - Swimming
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For the chance to have your athletes' Special Olympics stories featured in a future newsletter, social media post, or campaign, submit your information on our Athlete Profile Form!
Fill out your information, tell us your story, and submit a photo of you participating in Special Olympics, or include a headshot.
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Looking to stop receiving these emails? Please be sure to read below:
Please note that clicking the unsubscribe link below will remove you from ALL newsletters and emails from Special Olympics Ontario - this means all communications related to Special Olympics Ontario and Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run, including related major games, events and updates etc. If you only want to be removed from the Coaches Newsletter - please click here to let us know.
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