GUELPH, ON – After a three-year hiatus Special Olympics Track and Field Day will return to the County of Wellington for its 19th year on May 17, hosted at St. James Catholic High School in Guelph.
Over 600 participants of all ages and peer coaches from sixty schools will compete in several track and field and adaptive events.
“We are so excited to welcome participants from both Wellington Catholic District School Board and Upper Grand District School Board,” said Nicole Hearn, WCDSB special education resource teacher and event committee member. “This year our motto is ‘Better Together’, embodying the fact that we are, after three-years, finally able to come together for this great event.”
Wellington Catholic District School Board, Upper Grand District School Board, Ontario Special Olympics, Community Living Guelph/Wellington and the City of Guelph partner together to provide this event for students of all ages.
“Whether an athlete participates on the world stage or more importantly within their community, the significance and benefits remain the same. We are designed to be an engagement gateway and our mandate can only be fulfilled through an insatiable desire to increase our athlete population,” shared Glenn MacDonell President and CEO of Special Olympics. “Please accept my sincere thanks and congratulations on hosting the 19th UGDSB/WCDSB Special Olympics Track & Field Meet. This event represents the ideal School Board – Special Olympics relationship. Your discipline and commitment to this event is an achievement all its own.”
Participants will compete in 50m, 100m and 200m races, standing/running long jump, and softball throw, as well as adaptive events for those with physical challenges or young people which include obstacle course, basketball shooting, they shoot/they score, T-ball, Popbottle bowling and a 40m walk/run.
The event brings student-athletes from all parts of Wellington and Dufferin Counties together to provide an opportunity to build new friendships as well as renew old ones.
“Student-athletes take pride in demonstrating skills and representing their schools, the goal of the day is to provide everyone with an opportunity to do just that,” said Hearn. “I know our WCDSB representatives have been practicing lots and are looking forward to showing off their ability at St. James CHS.”
Well over 50 volunteers make this day possible, including a planning committee which consists of representatives from the Upper Grand District School Board, Wellington Catholic District School Board, Special Olympics Ontario, Community Agencies and volunteers.
“We are so excited to be able to all come together again to compete and celebrate our successes! Our teachers, educational assistants and students work so hard to prepare for this day and we are so thankful for the hours of prep and organization from our Special Olympics volunteers and community who come together to support, plan and organize!” shared Erin Leslie, UGDSB Special Olympics track and field committee member. “Best of luck to everyone! Have fun, and remember, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt!'”
Opening ceremony will start at 10 a.m. at St. James CHS, all are welcome to attend and cheer on the student-athletes.
Quick Facts
2022-2023 Track and Field Special Olympics will take place on May 17, 2023 with a rain date of May 18, 2023 at St. James Catholic High School located at 57 Victoria Road North in Guelph.
Opening Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with speakers addressing athletes, a special recognition through the reciting of the Special Olympics’ athletic oath and torch run.
Participating Schools:
Ariss Place Arthur P.S.
Cedar Heights Centennial C.V.I.
Central P.S.
Centre Peel P.S.
Centre Dufferin D.H.S.
Centre Wellington D.H.S.
College Heights S.S.
Credit Meadows E.S.
Elora P.S.
Erin P.S.
Guelph Collegiate. V.I.
Hopewell Island Lake P.S.
Island Lake P.S.
John F. Ross C.V.I.
June Avenue. P.S.
Ken Danby P.S.
Kortright Hills P.S.
Minto-Clifford P.S.
Mitchell Woods P.S.
Montgomery Village P.S.
Norwell District S.S.
Orangeville District S.S.
Ponsonby P.S.
Priory Park P.S.
Rickson Ridge P.S.
Rockwood Centennial P.S.
Ross R Mackay P.S.
Sir Isaac Brock P.S.
Taylor Evans P.S.
Victoria Cross P.S.
Victoria Terrace P.S.
Waverley Drive P.S.
Westwood P.S.
Willow Road P.S.
Bishop MacDonnell CHS
Holy Rosary CS
Holy Trinity CS
Mary Phelan CS
Our Lady of Lourdes CHS
Sacred Heart CS
Francis of Assisi CS
James CHS
John (Arthur) CS
John (Bosco) CS
John (Brebeuf) CS
John (Guelph) CS
Joseph (Fergus) St. Joseph (Guelph) CS
Mary (Mount Forest) CS
Mary (Elora) CS
Michael CS
Patrick CS
Paul CS
Peter CS
For more information and to attend please contact:
Megan Sicoli, Administrative Officer – Communications
Upper Grand District School Email Board Megan
Ali Wilson, Communication and Community Engagement Lead
Wellington Catholic District School Email Board Alison