ParaSport Ontario News

Introducing the newest partnership between ParaSport Ontario and Flaghouse

info@parasportontario.ca — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Flaghouse, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for all people, with resources for physical activity, recreation, education, therapy, and the development and support of life skills, has partnered with ParaSport Ontario to offer significant discounts to the member organizations of ParaSport Ontario.

100 Days too 2012 Huntsville Ontario ParaSport Winter Games

info@parasportontario.ca — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Huntsville, ON – The 2012 Huntsville Ontario ParaSport Winter Games Organizing Committee have been feverishly working behind the scenes and are anticipating a busy next one hundred days ahead.
Over the next three and a half months, the committee will be enthusiastically gathering the remaining dollars, volunteers and overall support necessary to make these Games an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

“Huntsville is known for delivering extraordinary events,” explains Debbie Kirwin Co-Chair of the local organizing committee, “and we are most definitely going to enhance that reputation. We have an amazing group pulling together yet another fantastic community event.”

With one hundred remaining days, the committee will be active in the community soliciting for volunteer help. Positions include; ticket takers, athlete assistance, timing, food service just to name a few.
At Monday’s press conference, Mayor Claude Doughty spoke of the excellent positioning the Town of Huntsville is in for the continuation of this caliber of an event. He congratulated and thanked the Games Organizing committee for all of their hard work and dedication.

"Once again Huntsville is set to provide another outstanding set of Games in Ontario. As official partner with the Government of Ontario and ParaSport Ontario, we are very excited and happy to be working with the Town of Huntsville on the 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games, expressed Holly Abraham, Chair of Sport Alliance Ontario.

Co-chairs Kirwin and Aitchison thanked Myke Malone, General Manager for the local organizing committee for his steadfast dedication and congratulated the committee for the progress that has been made to date.
“We’re in a great position, and have a strong team” stated Scott Aitchison Co-Chair of the local committee, “however, we still have some work ahead of us. The fundraising component is challenging – we still have dollars to raise. We are confident, but are still looking for community support.”

At the press conference, chair of media and promotions; Kelly Haywood announced Shoppers Home Health Care as a new gold level sponsor. Also, the Huntsville Rotary Club presented the committee with a cheque for $3500.

This will be the second time Huntsville has hosted the Ontario ParaSport Winter Games, as they hosted the Inaugural Ontario ParaSport Winter Games in 2006.

The Games are scheduled to take place from February 24-26, 2012. Approximately 450 participants from across Ontario are expected, including 300 athletes, support staff, coaches and officials.
The seven competitive sports include ParaAlpine Skiing, ParaNordic Skiing, Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Curling, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and Swimming.

To find out more information, to sign up to be a volunteer or to learn how you can contribute visit: www.ontarioparasportgames.com.

Media Contact:
Kelly Haywood
Chair Media and Promotions
kelly@huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca 705-789-4771, 705-788-5847

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Huntsville Otters to face Elmvale Bears in Exhibition Sledge Hockey Game

info@parasportontario.ca — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Huntsville, ON – Everyone is welcome to come out and watch the Huntsville Otters as they take on the Elmvale Bears in an exhibition sledge hockey game on Friday, November 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Canada Summit Centre. Our local Junior A team will have their work cut out for them as they face the visiting Bears, whose team is a member of the Ontario Sledge Hockey Association and includes three players from Team Canada, the National Sledge Hockey Team. This entertaining evening of sport is in support of the 2012 Huntsville Ontario ParaSport Winter Games which will be taking place in Huntsville throughout February 24-26, 2012.

The first period will feature the Otters vs. the Bears. During the second period, our local Huntsville teachers will play against the local Minor Hockey Association coaches in another exciting sledge hockey match. Students and minor hockey players from throughout our community are encouraged to come out and cheer on their favourite teachers and coaches as they compete in this thrilling athletic pursuit. To end the evening off, the third period will feature a skills competition from the National Sledge Hockey Team members.

“This is a great opportunity to promote the sport of sledge hockey as well as the quality of sport and ability of the athletes who will be present during the upcoming Huntsville 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games in February.” said Games General Manager, Myke Malone.

Admission will be by donation with all proceeds in support of the upcoming Huntsville 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games taking place in various facilities throughout Huntsville in February. Everyone is welcome to attend this event, taking place in the Don Lough Arena at the Canada Summit Centre. Be sure to take in this thrilling evening of sledge hockey in our community!

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Media Contact:
Myke Malone
General Manager
2012 Huntsville Ontario ParaSport Winter Games
myke@ontarioparasportgames.com

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Huntsville Games Organizing Committee supporting the Terry Fox Run

info@parasportontario.ca — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT

The Huntsville 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games will be submitting a team in this year's Terry Fox Run. Games co-Chair Debbie Kirwin, General Manager, Myke Malone and the Staff at ParaSport Ontario will be pushing the grueling 10k in all-court sport chairs on Sunday Sept. 18th in Huntsville.

The 2012 OPWG and ParaSport Ontario are proud to support The Terry Fox Foundation in its ongoing work to fund innovative and progressive cancer research programs. Please support our team by joining, or making a donation. Your kindness will impact the lives of so many people living with cancer.

To make a donation, please visit: http://my.e2rm.com/TeamPage.aspx?TSID=333346

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Day One at the 2011 OPSG

info@parasportontario.ca — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Sarnia, ON - Day 1 of the Sarnia 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games kicked off this morning with the Opening Ceremonies at St. Patrick's High School/Sarnia Athletics Southwest T&F Complex.

Final Day of Competition at the 2011 OPSG

info@parasportontario.ca — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Sarnia, ON - Day 2, the final day of competition at the Sarnia 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games saw exciting finals and overall great competition. Athletes continue to impress in all events, setting personal bests and new records. Wrapping up the Games, we would like to congratulate all athletes on great performance and and overall fun and exciting weekend.

Athletes and Volunteers Recognized

info@parasportontario.ca — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Sarnia, ON - Each year, ParaSport Ontario presents annual awards to recognize the outstanding achievements of ParaSport athletes and volunteers. This year, ParaSport Ontario officially announced the winners of the 2010 ParaSport Ontario Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Coach of the Year and Ron Foster Award recipient at the 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games in Sarnia .

Opening Ceremonies Kick off Sarnia 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games Tomorrow

info@parasportontario.ca — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Sarnia, ON -- The Opening Ceremonies for the Sarnia 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games will kick off tomorrow morning at 11:00am at St. Patrick's High School/Sarnia Central Athletic T&F Complex. The two day event will take place Friday Aug 19th - Sat Aug 20th.

Top Sledge Hockey Players in Ontario Face Off in Huntsville

info@parasportontario.ca — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Huntsville, ON: Top players from across the province will take to the ice at the Canada Summit Centre on Tuesday, August 9th at 8:00pm for an exhibition sledge hockey game. The game is a showcase to the community in the lead up to the 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games as the top provincial players are in the area for an Ontario Sledge Camp.

The Ontario Sledge Camp is being held at the Winning Techniques Camp in Emsdale August 7 to 13. This marks the 3rd year for the unique summer camp that provides an opportunity for sledge players to develop skills in the picturesque Muskoka setting. The high performance camp has been designed to challenge players’ ability levels with skill repetition to develop proper technique.

The camp will break into two squads on Tuesday evening and take to the ice at the Canada Summit Centre in conjunction with a press release announcing the launch of the 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games website starting at 4:30pm. Players will include current and former Sledge Team Ontario (STO) members, Ontario ParaSport Winter Games alum, current National team members as well as rising sledge players from throughout the province.

The camp’s program director and Huntsville native, Todd Sargeant, is heavily involved in the sport of sledge hockey and has been coaching the London Blizzard for 13 years. He has also coached STO for 4 years and is currently in his second year as Head Coach of the Canadian National Development Sledge Team.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the talents of some of the best sledge hockey players in the province and promote the sport as we ready for the 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games.” said Todd Sargeant. “I know how much of a sports town Huntsville is and I know people will enjoy seeing the product we put on the ice.”

The week culminates with the Sledge Team Ontario Talent Identification Camp in Huntsville on Saturday August 13 and 14th. There will be approximately 30 players at the selection camp from all over Ontario trying out for the limited roster positions on the 2011/12 Sledge Team Ontario roster. This team will be comprised of 16 of the best sledge players in Ontario and is sponsored by the Ontario Quest for Gold program. Sledge Team Ontario has 6 annual events across Ontario involving training camps and exhibition games. Over the past 3 years there have been 5 players that have moved from Sledge Team Ontario to play with the Canadian Nation Team. Ice times at the Summit Center are 10 am-12 and 4-6 pm.

For more information on the Huntsville 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games visit www.ontarioparasportgames.com and for more information on Sledge Team Ontario contact toddsargeant@hotmail.com.

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Team Canada Places 4th at Women's U25 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships

info@parasportontario.ca — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:00:00 GMT

St. Catharines, ON -Great Britain defeated Team Canada 62-42 Thursday in the bronze medal game at the inaugural Women’s U25 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships at Brock University in St. Catharines, ON. The hometown Canadians finished fourth in the tournament.

With the bronze medal on the line, both teams went back-and-forth on the scoreboard as each tried to establish the early edge to open the heated contest. Great Britain ultimately held the advantage and took a slight 14-10 lead into the second frame.

Despite a solid effort on both sides of the ball, Canada could not overcome the early deficit as the offence struggled to keep up with the British attack, which slowly extended the lead throughout the remainder of the game. Great Britain posted 30 points from inside the paint and shot 44% from field goal range while Canada managed 14 points from inside the key and shot 33% from the field.

“I think our team pushed really hard. We were down a little at first and we have an awesome coach who always pulls us out and reminds us that we need to compose ourselves and have team spirit and that always brings us back up,” said Canadian athlete Jamey Jewells. “Great Britain had a really strong team, but we will get them next time.”

“I thought it was a great overall effort,” said Team Canada Head Coach Michael Broughton. “As Canadians we never want to lay back and die and we’ve been preaching it all the way through the tournament and I thought today was a good example of that. Great Britain played a fantastic game and I thought they would have to do that in order to beat us.”

Cindy Ouellet scored a team-high 16 points for Canada. The native of Quebec City had an outstanding showing at the world championship, as she placed among the top scorers of the tournament and earned an impressive four double-doubles in six games.

The one-two offensive punch of Helen Freeman and Amy Conroy dropped a combined 51 for Great Britain and both players posted a double-double in the win.

The Canucks concluded the historic tournament with a commendable 4-2 win-loss record. The team won four consecutive games to open the tournament, before a loss to Australia in the semi-finals. Great Britain finished with a record of 3-3.

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