Special Olympics Ontario - Stratford & Area

Sept. 3/26: Golf cancelled today (wet course conditions). See everyone next week!

Three of our SOO - Stratford & Area golfers participated in the annual SOO - London Par 3 golf tournament today at Parkside 9 in London.

Andy, Russell and Sean won bronze in the third division of the scramble event, shooting a +8 on the par 28 course. It was a true team effort, with each golfer “chipping in” with some great shots - including a 35’ birdie putt on #2 by Andy!

SOO - Stratford & Area would like to thank SOO - London for hosting our athletes today, with special thanks to convenor Rick Walker and his band of awesome volunteers!

We’d also like to thank Russell’s mom, Cathy, for getting the guys to and from London today ... and for keeping an accurate scorecard! ⛳

Jane

Our inaugural lawn bowling season officially wrapped up on Aug. 27 with an Open House that provided local athletes (and prospective athletes) who wanted to try out the sport an opportunity to do so.

After some one-on-one instruction and practice under the watchful eye of Lawn Bowling Club volunteers, three new-to-the-sport athletes joined in games with a number of athletes who had played full-time this season. Some new friendships were made and everyone seemed to enjoy spending time with their fellow athletes and the Club volunteers.

Thanks, again, to the Stratford Lawn Bowling Club for being so welcoming to and supportive of our athletes ... who are already looking forward to next season!

Today turned out to be a perfect day for the annual three-leg Perth County OPP Torch Run, one which started in Listowel early this morning, moved on to Mitchell and finished with a BBQ lunch at the OPP Detachment in Sebringville.

On the final leg of the Run, local Special Olympics athletes Mike H, Mike K, Norm and Tiffany joined uniformed officers and other Run supporters along the stretch of Highway 8 between the lights in Sebringville and the OPP Detachment, collecting donations along the way!

Many thanks to West Perth OPP Sergeant Scott Lobb for organizing this event again this year. Always a great time!

We’d also like to thank all of the participating OPP members who supported this event by running, driving or working behind the scenes (including BBQing burgers!), Perth Wellington MP John Nater and his family, SOO LETR Liaison Derek Spence and, of course, our athletes and other supporters for taking part today!

Already looking forward to next year’s Run!

Jane

I’m sorry to advise that we’ve made the very difficult decision to CANCEL our annual SOO - Stratford & Area softball tournament scheduled for tomorrow (Aug. 22/26) based on the current forecast of inclement weather for our area (i.e., rain and thunderstorms predicted to start before the arrival of the teams (creating wet, potentially unsafe, field conditions) and a high probability (80-90%) of rain and thunderstorms throughout the day).

We know that the athletes who were planning on playing tomorrow will be disappointed to not have that opportunity. Please know that we’re very disappointed as well.

Looking ahead to next year, please pencil Aug. 21/27 into your calendar for our annual softball tournament!🥎

Jane

Aug. 20/26

Today was the last day of our inaugural lawn bowling season - and were the athletes ever on a “roll”! 🙂

We’d like to thank the Stratford Lawn Bowling Club and their awesome volunteers for providing our athletes with the opportunity to learn a new sport and to enjoy some outdoor social time with their fellow athletes and the many Club volunteers who attended each week to support them.

A reminder that there is a FREE lawn bowling Open House next Thursday (Aug. 27) starting at 11:45 am for our current athletes and anyone who may be interested in registering as an athlete with Special Olympics.

Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

Jane

The photos are in from last night’s soccer friendly vs. St. Thomas!

Thanks so much to resident photographer (and proud athlete mom!) Patty S for providing us with these great memories!

We’d also like to thank our guests from St. Thomas, referee Graham, local coaches Paul, Alisha, Yecenia and Luis and everyone who came out to cheer on the athletes.

It was a great game and an even better display of sportsmanship, inclusion and FUN!

Enjoy the photos!

Jane

More photos from Toronto FC Unified's soccer match vs. New England Revolution Unified at BMO Field on Aug. 15/26.

Proud of you and your teammates, Rich! ⚽️

The Toronto FC Unified Team, on which local athlete Rich Matthews is in his third season, defeated the New England Revolution Unified Team 8-4 in the back end of their two game home-and-home series at BMO Field on Saturday, Aug. 15/26.

Congratulations to Rich and his teammates! ⚽️