From June 3-5, over 1,100 students and teachers from all across Ontario headed to Ottawa to compete in this year’s School Championships. The events actually started a day prior with Young Champions Day, bringing elementary students from local schools to Carleton University’s campus for a day of bocce and other fun activities. Then it was time for the high schools to arrive and get settled into their residences.
Competitions in five sports (soccer, basketball, bocce, athletics, and floorball) kicked off on Tuesday before that night’s Opening Ceremonies. Some highlights from that night included the procession of athletes and the Law Enforcement Torch Run bringing the Flame of Hope to light the ceremonial cauldron. Speeches from Ottawa Police Service members and Special Olympics Ontario CEO Cody Jansma signaled the importance and care afforded to these Games.
As part of this year’s Games, Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) offered a Healthy Athletes screening with an emphasis on Fit Feet (podiatry), Special Smiles (dentistry), and Health Promotion (Prevention and Nutrition). SOO also arranged a Unified Leadership Summit to allow Youth Leaders from across the province to exchange ideas and participate in workshops, team building, and learning projects.
Justin Williams, Unified and School Program Developer at SOO, provided some comments on his experience with this year’s School Champs.
“My experience this year with School Champs in Ottawa was incredible, getting the opportunity to coach with my former high school. As a soccer coach for the past two years, I got the chance to come back and represent my old school, providing the same experience that I got when I went to School Champs as a student at J Clarke Richardson.
“The athletes had a blast during School Champs. A lot of core memories were made during soccer, with the way everyone bonded with each other, as well as touring around campus and exploring. The athletes enjoyed themselves as they created new friendships throughout the days.
“Something that stuck with me was when an athlete had personally told me how this memory of them playing soccer away from home and creating new friendships during the event made them so happy. This also helped athletes on the team break their social barriers with others and be more open to inclusion and leadership alongside other athletes and coaches.
“My favourite part about School Champs was seeing all of the athletes bond with each other on and off the field. The practices leading up to School Champs is inspiring, because these athletes have worked hard on their craft and were able to showcase everything within these two days. I couldn’t be more proud of the group of athletes that won the silver medal this year, and I hope these friendships that stemmed and memories that were made will last a lifetime.”