Latest news with #TeamP.E.I.
CBC
26-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Young P.E.I. athletes get early introduction to North American Indigenous Games
Social Sharing The road to the next North American Indigenous Games began in P.E.I. on Saturday as a group of young athletes from across the province gathered to play some sports and have some fun. NAIG takes place in Calgary in July 2027, but organizers said it's never too early to start fostering a love of sport, community and culture. "We wanted to start the process now to identify Indigenous youth who are in the age range who could potentially try out for NAIG," said Lynn Anne Hogan, the senior program co-ordinator for the Aboriginal sports circle with the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I. "For some, their parents, their chief, their grandparents, their friends and family may have gone, but for others this is a whole brand new experience for them." The games take place every four years, and bring together youth athletes and coaching staff from 750 different First Nations in North America. In 2023, NAIG in Halifax saw 5,000 competitors and coaches attend, including 29 athletes from Prince Edward Island. Saturday's event at UPEI was meant to give the group of 30 young Indigenous people a chance to try out some sports like lacrosse and badminton, and get them thinking about trying out for Team P.E.I. when the time comes. "I've shown a lot of interest in volleyball, and since it's one of the sports we could do for NIAG, I'm hoping me and my stepsister could also travel to Calgary, go to new places and meet new friends," said Bria Vincent, 15, of Charlottetown. "It would mean a lot. I've been dreaming of volleyball and always played it for fun since I was 10." 'I want to represent my people' For others, like 15-year-old Natalie Gallant of Morell, P.E.I., it's a chance to restart the journey to the games. She competed in javelin, shot put and discus in Halifax, and hopes to take make either the track or volleyball teams for Calgary. "It was really fun and I would really like to go back and compete again to see if I could make more memories just like I did two summers ago," she said. "I want to represent Prince Edward Island, and I want to represent my people." Organizers hope to spread the word about NAIG and grow Indigenous involvement in sports on the Island. More events like Saturday's one will be held in the months ahead. Team tryouts will happen sometime next year. Hogan said it's a chance to help Team P.E.I. add to its medal haul, but more importantly to create an experience they'll remember for a lifetime. "Medals are certainly exciting [but] that's not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to experience sport, try your best," she said. "We want them to compete in sport, but they're going to be surrounded by Indigenous youth and coaches from 750 different nations, and that is powerful and that's the thing that they're going to remember."
CBC
11-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
3 P.E.I. athletes representing Canada at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Ellen MacNearney, Tommy Ling and Callum McEwan are in Italy for the Games Three Prince Edward Islanders are among the 90 Canadian athletes at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. This is the 12th edition of the Games, which started on March 8 and continue until March 15. "This is the highest level of competition for Special Olympics," said Charity Sheehan, the Canadian delegation's chef de mission as well as the executive director of Special Olympics P.E.I. "They get to compete against the best in the world and they're ready to do that." Dad discovers joy of coaching Special Olympians 'Respectful' Team P.E.I. wins praise, medals at Special Olympics competition Ellen MacNearney and Tommy Ling are both competing in nordic skiing, while Callum McEwan is a figure skater. Athletes from 102 countries from around the world gathered at the opening ceremony, which MacNearney said she really enjoyed. "The opening ceremony was awesome," she said, adding the best parts for her were when the snow was coming down in the stadium and when the athletes came in. MacNearney, who lives in Brudenell, has won dozens of medals in both swimming and skiing. She last competed at the Special Olympics World Games in 2013 in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where she won a gold and a bronze medal. Twelve years later, she is attending these games with a different mindset. "It makes a big difference because I was just Grade 12, just graduating from high school." she said. "And now I'm 30 years old." MacNearney is competing in the 7.5-km finals on Thursday, followed by the 5-km finals on Friday. For her, the best part of the experience isn't just the competition but also having her family there to cheer her on. More than medals While many athletes are seeking to add to Canada's medal count, that isn't the only goal. "Some want to have personal bests, experience all these world games have to offer," Sheehan said. "Others have that goal of having that gold, silver or bronze medal for sure, so everybody is going to leave it all on the snow and ice." Tommy Ling has been a Special Olympics athlete for 14 years. Similarly to MacNearney, he's participated in both winter and summer events, including in the sport of bocce. Meanwhile, this marks Callum McEwan's first-ever Special Olympics World Games.
CBC
11-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Three P.E.I. athletes represent Canada at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Ellen MacNearney, Tommy Ling and Callum McEwen are in Italy for the Games Three Prince Edward Islanders are among the 90 Canadian athletes at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. This is the 12th edition of the Games, which started on March 8 and last until March 15. "This is the highest level of competition for Special Olympics," said Charity Sheehan, Canada's head of delegation. "They get to compete against the best in the world and they're ready to do that." Dad discovers joy of coaching Special Olympians 'Respectful' Team P.E.I. wins praise, medals at Special Olympics competition Ellen MacNearney and Tommy Ling are both competing in nordic skiing, while Callum McEwan is in figure skating. Athletes from 102 countries from around the world gathered at the opening ceremony — a part MacNearney really enjoyed in the Special Olympics. "The opening ceremony was awesome," she said, adding the best parts for her were when the snow was coming down in the stadium and when the athletes came in. MacNearney, who lives in Brudenell, has won dozens of medals in both swimming and skiing. She last competed at the Special Olympics World Games in 2013 in PyeongChang, South Korea, where she won a gold and a bronze medal. Twelve years later, she is attending these games with a different mindset. "It makes a big difference because I was just Grade 12, just graduating from high school." she said. "And now I'm 30 years old." MacNearney is competing in the 7.5-km finals on Thursday, followed by the 5-km finals on Friday. For her, the best part of the experience isn't just the competition but also having her family there to cheer her on. More than medals While many athletes are seeking to add on to Canada's medal count, that isn't the only goal. "Some want to have personal bests, experience all [that] these world games have to offer." Sheehan said. "Others have that goal of having that gold, silver or bronze medal for sure, so everybody is going to leave it all on the snow and ice." Tommy Ling has been a Special Olympics athlete for 14 years. Similarly to MacNearney, he's participated in both winter and summer events, including bocce. Meanwhile, this marks Callum McEwan's first-ever Special Olympics World Games.
