Latest news with #SpecialOlympicsP.E.I
Ottawa Citizen
7 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Charlottetown Islander named QMJHL's humanitarian player of the year
Article content 'Our athletes love to watch him play. They love to talk to him afterwards. He's a really good guy and ambassador for the (Special Olympics) movement, and a good representation about what hard work can look like as an athlete, so our athletes can relate to him a lot.' Article content Sheehan said one thing that has stood out about Jardine's volunteer efforts is his sincerity and desire to work with and help people. Article content 'He has a really great love of the (Special Olympics) movement,' said Sheehan. 'He was involved in Special Olympics when he was in high school in New Brunswick. Article content 'He was able to take that passion to P.E.I. and be connected with Special Olympics P.E.I. It's super sincere and he really appreciates what the athletes bring to their sports, so they can connect on that level.' Article content Article content Jardine also volunteered his time at several minor hockey practices, played a role in developing sport skills and leadership qualities for teenagers at Andrews Hockey Growth Programs. He participated in anti-bullying seminars with Crime Stoppers, supported the IWK Health Foundation, and took an active role in the Islanders' Make-A-Wish Game, helping reach a goal of $10,000 to grant a sick child's wish. Jardine also participated in a pre-game ceremony as the Islanders recognized six ambassadors who have faced extraordinary health challenges. Article content 'That was great having those kids come onto the ice before the game,' said Jardine. 'It's hard to put into words what some of those kids have gone through and not every kid is as fortunate as we are to play in the Q or even maybe get a chance to play sports.' Article content Jardine, an infielder with the Charlottetown Gaudet's Auto Body Islanders of the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL), also gives back helping out at minor baseball practices in the summer. Article content Article content Article content 'I'd like to thank the organization and the Charlottetown Islanders for being very easy to work with,' said Jardine. 'They made my life so very easy. There is never any stress involved in it… Article content 'I hope my teammates see what we have done and keep the tradition alive, whether it's the next team they play on or in Charlottetown.'
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.
