Over the May long weekend, the ninth annual Slo-Pitch for Special Olympics fundraising tournament took place in Barrie. With 32 teams signing up in addition to other on-site fundraising, the tournament raised $18,000 for the SOO-Barrie program this year. The tally for local programs over the years is now over $100,000!
In 2017, Dustin Agar, head coach for the Barrie Selects Special Olympics softball club, combined his passion for softball with his commitment to Special Olympics by creating this tournament. It's grown ever since, with a contagious enthusiasm among all who participate. For the teams that attend, a major highlight is having a Special Olympics athlete or two join their team for the tournament. Many teams request the same player year after year. Community Coordinator Dawn Windross recognizes the important opportunity for local athletes to make these connections; the tournament succeeds in breaking down barriers while fostering inclusion.
The Special Olympics community in Barrie is very appreciative of Dustin's efforts. The funds raised are important for Barrie, a community that's continuously represented by a large contingent of athletes who attend Provincial and National Games. For the upcoming Provincial Summer Games in Brantford, Barrie will have 33 athletes competing in athletics, bocce, golf, and softball, with the Barrie Selects II team hitting the diamonds! The community also has pick-up players joining neighbouring communities' teams in soccer and softball.