Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador : King Charles III Coronation Medal Honourees
The King Charles III Coronation Medal celebrates Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to their communities—and this year, several remarkable individuals from the Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador community were among those honoured.
From program builders and longtime volunteers to passionate advocates and athlete leaders, each recipient has helped grow the movement across the province and championed the values of inclusion, empowerment, and civic service.
Below, we invite you to learn more about the Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador recipients and their incredible contributions to building a more inclusive Canada.
Jeffrey Butt
Like many great coaches, Jeffrey Butt is an expert in the sport that he has generously dedicated countless hours towards helping Special Olympics Athletes master in their own competitions. President of the Canadian Powerlifting Union, Jeffrey has been coach for over 25 years, culminating in the Newfoundlander becoming Head Coach of Canada’s Powerlifting Team during the 2023 World Games in Berlin.
Neil Cheeseman
Team Doctor for Canada during the 2025 Turin Games, Neil Cheeseman is a highly experienced volunteer from Newfoundland and Labrador. He has provided his medical services to Team Canada for every World Games event since 2013, having travelled to Pyeongchang, Los Angeles, Austria, Abu Dhabi, and Berlin.
Volunteering in Special Olympics for around 20 years, Rosemary “Rosie” Ryan has been to at least two World Games as an Assistant Coach for Athletics in Abu Dhabi and Berlin. In 2018, the retired teacher from Stephenville, Newfoundland reportedly cried tears of joy when she humbled accepted the Special Olympics Canada Coach of the Year award.
