We are thrilled to congratulate the 89 athletes from across the country who have been named to the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad 2023.
These athletes will represent Canada at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany from June 17-25, 2023. This will mark a long-awaited return to competition on the international stage since the last Special Olympics World Games in 2019.
The past few unprecedented years have created a unique opportunity for this team. Due to the cancellation of programs and Games throughout the pandemic, athlete selection for the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad 2023 was not based on results at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. Instead, the athlete quota was distributed based on athlete registration at each Provincial/Territorial Chapter. Each Chapter hosted a variety of qualifying opportunities for athletes over the past six months, resulting in a truly Pan-Canadian team.
“We’re excited for a year of firsts,” says Chef de Mission Susan Lamboo. “It’s been a difficult past few years for Special Olympics communities across Canada, and I want this team to be the flame that re-ignites the movement. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and commitment to prepare for our return to the world stage, but my hope for this team is that they will inspire athletes, coaches and volunteers across the country to remember it’s worth it – and we all have it in us.”
Please join us in congratulating the 89 athletes along with their 73 training coaches, who will join the 48 Coaches, Mission Staff, Alternates and Leadership Team on the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad 2023!
128 team members will be travelling to Berlin to represent Canada next June.
Special Olympics Team Canada 2023 Training Squad
ATHLETICS
Alec Baldwin - Manitoba
Annick Léger - Ontario
Christian Gerro - Nova Scotia
Curtis Cook - Ontario
Grant Phillips - Nova Scotia
Jennifer Riddell - Alberta
Jeremy Wall - Prince Edward Island
Jesse Thibeault - British Columbia
Jessica Larivée - Quebec
Jolyn Watts - British Columbia
Louis Charrette - Quebec
Michael Budden - Newfoundland & Labrador
Patti Connors - New Brunswick
Regan Hofley - Manitoba
Samantha Walsh - Newfoundland & Labrador
Vanessa Gebert - Saskatchewan
BASKETBALL, MEN’S
Dashawn Williams - Ontario
Franck Koffi - Ontario
Keegan Waite - Prince Edward Island
Kyle Litfin - British Columbia
Malachy Stewart - British Columbia
Pedro Désir - Quebec
Robbie Westlake - Nova Scotia
Steven Saman - Saskatchewan
William Hall - Manitoba
William Shepherd - Alberta
BASKETBALL, WOMEN’S
Blair Bastien - Ontario
Bonnie-Jean Shade - British Columbia
Emily Lichty - Ontario
Jennifer Allen - Ontario
Kaylee Legault - Ontario
McKenzie Millar - Saskatchewan
Michaela Wasyliw - Alberta
Taralyn Kalelest- British Columbia
Tatyanna Turner-Gerroir - Nova Scotia
Tyrine Flukinger - British Columbia
BOCCE
Jennifer Adams - Manitoba
Kyle Vogelgesang - Alberta
Laura Stremble - Ontario
Wayne Gowanlock - British Columbia
BOWLING
Caroline Thibault - Nova Scotia
Colleen Voth - Manitoba
David Whittington - Alberta
Ian Cushon - Saskatchewan
Marc Richardson - Ontario
Rachel Peers - British Columbia
Shannon Doiron - New Brunswick
Stephen Denham - Quebec
GOLF
Allie Price - Alberta
Derrick Wiseman - New Brunswick
Erin Thom - British Columbia
Francesca Vachon - Quebec
Jason Norminton - Manitoba
Krista Stockman - Nova Scotia
Melvin Hanhams - Newfoundland & Labrador
Natasha Stasiuk - Ontario
Taylor Carter - Saskatchewan
Tijana McCarthy - Yukon
POWERLIFTING
Aaron Higgins - Saskatchewan
Daniel Moores - Newfoundland & Labrador
David Nicholson - Alberta
Josee Seguin - Ontario
Marley Gayler - Ontario
Phil Brown - Nova Scotia
Reetu Chahal - Manitoba
Ryan Kealey - British Columbia
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Jodi Klukas - British Columbia
Kimana Mar - Ontario
Patricia Colgan - Quebec
Rebecca Birss - Manitoba
SOCCER, WOMEN'S
Alyssa Chapman - Prince Edward Island
Amanda Manzardo - British Columbia
Amy Nelson - British Columbia
Ashley Thomas - Nova Scotia
Candace Bushie - Ontario
Donna White - Nova Scotia
Eileen Mooney - Alberta
Geneviève Baillargeon - Quebec
Jenny Murray - Alberta
Jessica Fournier - Quebec
Kristy Alford - Ontario
Terra Dagenais - Saskatchewan
SWIMMING
Abby Wilson - Alberta
Caleb Lake - Nova Scotia
Chelsey Makaro - Northwest Territories
Chris Innes - Ontario
Jesse Canney - New Brunswick
Kelsey Wyse - British Columbia
Minori Hénault - Quebec
Tyler Servant - Saskatchewan
Training Coaches
ATHLETICS
Amy Poole - Saskatchewan
Bingo Rivera - Ontario
Christina Kendall - Newfoundland and Labrador
Claire Deweyert - New Brunswick
Danielle Assaad - Quebec
Deborah Carter - British Columbia
Janet White - Ontario
Janice Howe - Manitoba
Joan Conrad - Nova Scotia
Jodi Harper - Prince Edward Island
Lena Kublick - Manitoba
Michael Riddalls - British Columbia
Peggy Chubb - Newfoundland and Labrador
Peter McCormick - Nova Scotia
BASKETBALL
Allan Gillis - Prince Edward Island
Andrew Maclean - Ontario
Bill Leesman - Alberta
Brian Litfin - British Columbia
Caitlin Cirocco - Ontario
Dave MacNeil - Nova Scotia
Dylan Mascetta - Ontario
Ken Blackburn - British Columbia
Les Andrykew - British Columbia
Neil Lewis - Ontario
Patrick Henry - Ontario
Vladimir Jonquille - Quebec
BOCCE
Caroline N. Rippe - Alberta
Dave Toupin - Manitoba
Georgina McIntosh - British Columbia
Susan Cannon - Ontario
BOWLING
Chris Sumner - Manitoba
Dennis Richardson - British Columbia
Donald Theriault - New Brunswick
Ruth Exley - Saskatchewan
Kempton Hyson - Nova Scotia
Lori Savage - Ontario
Todd Mitchell - Alberta
GOLF
Allan Price - Alberta
Donald Roger Ryan - New Brunswick
France Carrière-Vachon - Quebec
Jed Barber - Manitoba
Jim Stockman - Nova Scotia
Joe Tremblett - Newfoundland and Labrador
Mike Lamontagne - Ontario
Misty Pagliaro - British Columbia
Teneil Caron - Yukon
Tyler Carter - Saskatchewan
POWERLIFTING
Cody Barkhouse - Nova Scotia
Curtis Howden - Alberta
Doug Higgins - Saskatchewan
Emily Armstrong - Ontario
Jordan Sernaggia - British Columbia
Len Moores - Newfoundland and Labrador
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Jennifer Merrell - Manitoba
Samantha Kuzyk - British Columbia
Xinhong Jin (Sing) - Ontario
SOCCER
Debbie Quinlan - Ontario
Geoff Tyler - Nova Scotia
Heather Lawson - British Columbia
Kieran Goodwin - Prince Edward Island
Larry Fast - Saskatchewan
SWIMMING
Antoine Guénette - Quebec
Carla Dueck - New Brunswick
Edwina Renaux - Nova Scotia
Joan Gunn-Allard - Alberta
Leo Rutledge - British Columbia
Lexie Letzing - Northwest Territory
Pat Moran - Ontario