Meet Special Olympics PEI’s Representatives on Parliament Hill – Colton and Jamie Matheson
Colton Matheson, Montague, has been a Special Olympics athlete for 15 years. Participating in Curling and Golf, Special Olympics has made a tremendous impact on Colton’s life. Colton enjoys Special Olympics because he gets to spend time with friends, and it gets him out of the house, giving him the opportunity to be active. Special Olympics has given Colton the chance to excel in sport, and in life. Today, Colton, along with his father and Special Olympics Coach, Jamie, are on Parliament Hill meeting with members of Parliament, Senators, and public servants for Hill Day 2025 - our national day of thanks and advocacy.
Jamie and Colton, who are joined by Special Olympics PEI’s Executive Director, Charity Sheehan, and Program Director, Matthew McNally, are saying thank you, and asking for the government's continued support. The Government of Canada supports Special Olympics’ shared vision of ‘sport for all’, through its generous and ongoing financial contributions.
Colton first started participating in Special Olympics when he was 12 years old. Living in Montague, the Montague Community Sport program was a natural first fit as an introductory program for Colton. While the recreational / non-competitive nature of the program was a good fit for Colton, the size difference between Colton and the rest of the athletes was challenging. Colton's short stature, especially as a pre-teen, meant that he was playing basketball against adult athletes who were literally head and shoulders taller than he was.
Jamie, with a background in golf, and knowing that it was a sport Special Olympics offered, thought that a change of program might be a better fit for Colton. There was no golf program in Montague at the time, so Jamie did what a lot of Special Olympics parents do in this situation, he started a program, and took on the role of head coach. 15 years later, Jamie stays involved to stay connected to those he has met through the years, and to see new athletes develop through sport.
Golf has always been a family activity for the Matheson family. Although Colton did not officially start golfing with Special Olympics until the age of 12, he has been out on the links with his father, Jamie, from a very young age. This past summer, Colton set a goal for himself, to be a member of a future Team PEI, and compete at a Special Olympics Canada Games.
For Colton, being named to Team PEI 2026, with the change to compete at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games next August, is a proud achievement. Colton set this as a goal for himself, and put in the work to make it happen. Jamie commented:
Jamie will have a front row seat to cheer Colton on next summer, having been named Head Coach for Team PEI 2026 Golf. In addition to volunteering with the Montague Golf programs, Jamie is also a coach with the Montague Curling program, and a driving force behind the Professor Derek Bell golf tournament fundraiser.
Outside of Special Olympics Colton keeps busy by working three jobs and volunteering to sign at local ceilidh fundraisers. From research we know that Special Olympics athletes have a 44% employment rate, compared to only 28% for Canadians with intellectual disabilities who do not participate in Special Olympics. Colton is a prime example of this, working at the Wheelhouse Restaurant in Georgetown, Brudenell Tire, and Inclusions East.