Meet Special Olympics Canada’s Champions of Inclusion nominees
In honour of Global Week of Inclusion July 20 to 26, Special Olympics is celebrating homegrown Champions of Inclusion: Canadians leading the charge for respecting and embracing all abilities – not just in sports, but in the workforce, in schools, everywhere!
All Champions of Inclusion were nominated by the public for how they #ChooseToInclude every day of the year.
Click here to read some of their stories.
List of all Champion of Inclusion nominees:
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Roshan Gosal, Special Olympics BC – Abbotsford volunteer
Megan Owens, Special Olympics BC – Chilliwack volunteer
Susan Simmons and Kyle Eriksen, Special Olympics BC – Victoria coaches
Jessica Chapelski Souza, Special Olympics BC coach
Matthew Basso, Special Olympics BC athlete
ALBERTA
Matt Burton, Alberta Sheriff
Shanna Kurylo and the Alberta Schools Athletic Association
Karen Unger, motionball and Special Olympics Edmonton volunteer
University of Calgary Dino Men’s Basketball Team and Coaches Dan Van Hooren, Dan Pearson and Phil Barndt
Alberta’s Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women Leela Aheer
Rob Williams, CTV Edmonton
Leslie Horton, Global News Calgary
Metro Edmonton High School Athletics
Cold Lake High School
Bert Church High School
Bellerose High School
Cochrane Lanes Bowling Alley
Todd and Quinn Jacobs, Tim Hortons Restaurant owners in Olds, Alberta
Shayla Hurley and Amelia Hurley-Lehnerz, Special Olympics Alberta volunteers
Bill Hurley, Special Olympics Alberta – Calgary athlete
Terri Didack, Special Olympics Alberta – Medicine Hat athlete
Robin Forsyth, Special Olympics Alberta coach
Lake Bonavista Figure Skating Club
Danielle Swainstain, Special Olympics Alberta softball coach
Leonka Kaluha, Special Olympics Alberta – Calgary athlete
Monica Bratt
SASKATCHEWAN
Jackie Powell, Special Olympics Saskatchewan – Swift Current coach
Brenda Baker, Founder of Kids of Note
Shari Debelser, Special Olympics Saskatchwan – Unity athlete
Tara Hurdman, Special Olympics Saskatchewan supporter
Lindsey Barber, Unity, Saskatchewan gym owner
Brooklyn Danbrook and Maddie Renwick, Unified Partners
Lawrence Weber, Special Olympics Saskatchewan – Humboldt coach
Dr. Alicia Thatcher, Family Medicine Resident
Saskatchewan Minister of Social Services, Paul Merriman
Lucas Sali, Special Olympics Saskatchewan athlete
Jackie Shutra, Special Olympics Saskatchewan volunteer
Bob Ballantyne, Manager of Facility Operations at Prairie Valley School Division
Jen Wood, Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association
Kyla Murch, Special Olympics Saskatchewan volunteer
Akeela Jundt, Special Olympcis Saskatchewan volunteer
Wendy Eddy, Saskatchewan teacher
Emma Love
Kirkland Redwood, Special Olympics Saskatchewan family member
Ethan Ginter, Special Olympics Saskatchewan volunteer
Scott and Marilyn Donaldson
MANITOBA
Kyla Anderson, high school teacher
June Mosiondz, Special Olympics Manitoba coach
ONTARIO
Jenna Smith, Special Olympics Ontario’s Unified University & College Program
Detective Constable Jeffery McLean, Shelburne Police Serve
Deb LeBlond, Community Centre volunteer
Leslie Koski, Toronto Police Service Torch Run Committee volunteer
Ontario Speed Skating Association
Golf Canada
Chantal Deketele, volunteer
Levon Poladian, Special Olympics Ontario athlete
Blair Bastien, Special Olympics Ontario athlete
Sandra MacDougall, Special Olympics Ontario – Thunder Bay coach
Sarah Jennissen, Wendy’s manager
QUEBEC
Tristan Delmas, Healthy Community Director, Special Olympics Quebec
NEW BRUNSWICK
Jason Agnew, Special Olympics New Brunswick coach
NOVA SCOTIA
Donald (Donnie) MacLean, Special Olympics Nova Scotia – Annapolis athlete & President of People First Nova Scotia
Courtney Gregory, Special Olympics Nova Scotia – Shelburne Regional Coordinator
Doug Branscombe, Retired Recreation Coordinator with Halifax Regional Municipality
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
Allison Lamond, Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador volunteer
Megan Hibbs, Special Olympics NL volunteer
The Town Council of Grand Falls-Windsor: Mayor Barry Manuel, Deputy Mayor Mike Browne, Councillor Shawn Feener, Councillor Rob Bennett, Councillor Amy Coady-Davis, Councillor Mark Whiffen, Councillor Holly Dwyer
Sandra Hemmings, Special Education Teacher at Queen Elizabeth Regional High School
Beth Andrews Beattie, St. John’s teacher
Dr. Carmel Casey, Special Olympics Team Canada Doctor
Peter Halley, Spirit of Newfoundland Productions
PEI
Dave Morrow, Special Olympics PEI coach
CY Holland, Special Olympics PEI coach
YUKON
Trevor Hale, Special Olympics Yukon Unified Bocce Coach
Andy Todd, Special Olympics Yukon Unified Bocce Coach
Penny Perreault, Special Olympics Yukon Unified Bocce Coach
Annie-Claude Letendre, Special Olympics Yukon sport volunteer
Emilie Bouchard, Special Olympics Yukon sport volunteer
Ken Binns, Special Olympics Yukon coach