Meet Team PEI 2026 Soccer

May 06, 2026

This August, Team PEI will be represented by 46 athletes and 25 coaches and mission staff at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Athletes will be competing in 8 sports - Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Golf, Powerlifting, Soccer, Softball and Swimming. Team PEI 2026 Soccer is made up of 10 athletes and 4 Coaches.

Team PEI Soccer competing at SONS Games July 2025

Team PEI Soccer at the 2025 Special Olympics Nova Scotia Provincial Summer Games. This image is not fully reflective of Team PEI 2026's final roster.

Athletes: Geoff Bridges, Scott Brouseau, Tyson Brown, Alyssa Chapman, Jeremy Cheverie, Jack Hansen, Shawn Mitchell, Logan Robbins, Ronan Ward, Khol Ward

Head Coach: Kieran Goodwin

Assistant Coaches: Mel Demy, Larry Robbins

Apprentice Coach: Jason Pereira

Team PEI 2026 Soccer is lead by Head Coach, Kieran Goodwin. Kieran, who is attending his first Special Olympics Canada Games, has been a volunteer with Special Olympics PEI for 8 years.

I got involved with Special Olympics because I was looking for a new way to volunteer and support a new group of athletes that played multiple sports. I’ve always cared about creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome, and Special Olympics PEI seemed like the perfect fit.

Kieran Goodwin, Team PEI Soccer Head Coach

Special Olympics PEI, Soccer, Coach with Athletes

(Being a member of Team PEI 2026) means everything. Any time you get the chance to represent PEI at a National Games, it’s something truly special. There’s nothing quite like putting on that PEI green and black shirt, hat or anything else. I’ll be incredibly proud to coach our soccer athletes, but just as proud to support all the amazing athletes from across the province. Being part of Team PEI is such a great honour and something I will remember forever.

Kieran Goodwin, Team PEI Soccer Head Coach

Mel Demy and Larry Robbins are also supporting Team PEI 2026 Soccer as Assistant Coaches. Both bring a wealth of experience, in soccer and a variety of other Special Olympics sports.

Mel, who has always played and loved sports, first got involved with Special Olympics PEI 7 years ago when she moved to the Island. Mel first learned about Special Olympics during university when she worked for a day program for an organization that supported individuals with an intellectual disability.

I remember two brothers telling me all about their involvement with Special Olympics for the sport of Floor Hockey. So when I was settled in PEI and wanted to get involved, Special Olympics was my first call. Special Olympics has forever changed my life. I have gotten to meet so many athletes, coaches, and volunteers. Each one coming with a different and inspiring story. Being able to watch how sport has such a positive impact on our athletes is the most grounding and heart warming experience.

Mel Demy, Team PEI 2026 Soccer Assistant Coach

Larry also got involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer 7 years ago. Similar to many volunteers and volunteer coaches, Larry got involved because his son, Logan (Team PEI 2026 Soccer athlete) was involved in programs that needed support. In addition to Soccer, Larry also coaches Speed Skating.

Initially my son was involved in Special Olympics so I got to know many athletes. I saw there was a need for Soccer and Speed Skating coaches. I felt privileged to help this group of athletes grow, stay fit and have fun in the sports. I feel like I have an extended family. I have never been so proud of another group.

Larry Robbins, Team PEI 2026 Soccer Assistant Coach

Team PEI 2026 Soccer is also supported by Apprentice Coach, Jason Pereira. Special Olympics Canada's NextGen Coach Apprenticeship Program provides coach development opportunities for new Special Olympics coaches. Jason first got involved with Special Olympics 3 years ago because he wanted to give back to a community "that inspires so much strength and resilience."

My favorite Special Olympics moment has to be last summer in Wolfville at the Provincial Summer Games. The whole experience was awesome—traveling, coaching, and getting to watch our team win gold. Everyone worked so hard and had such a great time. It’s a memory I’ll always hold onto.

Jason Pereira, Team PEI 2026 Soccer Apprentice Coach

Team PEI 2026 Soccer's athletes have a wide range of experiences, both in terms of soccer and competing at Special Olympics Canada Games.

For three athletes, Tyson Brown, Jack Hansen and Ronan Ward, the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 2026 will be their first time on Team PEI.

I am most looking forward to competing against all the teams in Canada and representing PEI as best I can.

Team PEI 2026 Soccer athlete, Jack Hansen

For other athletes, competing on the National stage is very familiar. Athletes like Jeremy Cheverie, Alyssa Chapman and Shawn Mitchell have been involved with Special Olympics for over 20 years each, and have been members of Team PEI numerous times. Furthermore, Alyssa has competed at multiple Special Olympics World Games, including as a member of Team Canada Soccer in 2023.

Another long time Special Olympics athlete is Geoff Bridges, who is attending his 5th Special Olympics Canada Games, and his first for Soccer. Geoff first joined 17 years when his friend, Shawn Mitchell, asked him to join.

It changed my life because I met new friends. Participating in Special Olympics has taught me how to be more respectful to other athletes and it's not all about winning, it's about doing your best.

Team PEI 2026 Soccer athlete, Geoff Bridges

As is a common theme with many Special Olympics PEI athletes, the member of Team PEI 2026 Soccer have found friendship through their involvement, and this has changed their lives for the better.

I first got involved with Special Olympics to meet new friends who would accept me for who I am. Because of Special Olympics I have as many friends . I would not have gotten to travel and experience other places in Canada and I would not be as fit and healthy if I was not in Special Olympics.

Team PEI 2026 Soccer athlete, Logan Robbins

Support Team PEI 2026

If you would like to support Team PEI 2026 Soccer, please consider Drafting an Athlete. The Team PEI Draft an Athlete program allows supporters of the Special Olympics movement to fund a Team PEI athlete’s journey to National Games.