Special Olympics PEI athletes are thriving in roles on and off the playing fields. In 2020, Special Olympics PEI launched an Athlete Leadership Academy! The Academy is an opportunity for Island athletes, beyond sports training and competition, to gain knowledge and experience in a number of modules/courses. As athletes explore and complete these workshops they will build community and feel more empowered to reach their full potential.

Athlete Speakers, one of the four workshops available to Athlete Leaders, empowers Special Olympics Athletes to develop public speaking and speech writing skills. This course will give tools to enhance an athlete’s poise and self-confidence while standing at a microphone or podium. This course is ideal for athletes who have an interest in educating others about the Special Olympics movement, as well as their own personal story, in a public setting. 

 

Introducing our Athlete Speakers and Mentors:

Heidi Mallett & GENNA PHELAN

1️⃣ Heidi has been an athlete since 2008 participating in Golf, Snowshoe, Bocce, and 5 Pin-Bowling;
2️⃣ Genna has worked with SOPEI since 2011!
3️⃣ Heidi is an Athlete Leader for both the Global and Canadian Athlete Leadership Councils;
4️⃣ Heidi encourages others to exercise daily and get out in the community!
5️⃣ Heidi and Genna wanted to be on the Athlete Speaker team to speak up for those that either can not or choose not to.

 

Erin Pippy & Kristi MAcKay

1️⃣ Erin has been an athlete since 2010 participating in Bocce and 5 Pin-Bowling;
2️⃣ Kristi has been a SOPEI volunteer since 2013 in multiple roles and chairs the PEI Law Enforcement Torch Run committee who together are dedicated to raising thousands of dollars for SOPEI annually;
3️⃣ At the 2020 SOC Winter Games in Thunder Bay, Erin was Team PEI's flag bearer and Kristi was involved in the LETR Torch Run;
4️⃣ Kristi operates two businesses, outside her regular working hours; 
5️⃣ Erin is happily married for over 3 years and has worked for over 21 years with McDonald's in Charlottetown.

 

Paul & Myrna Phillips

1️⃣  Paul has been an athlete since 1990 participating in Athletics, 5-Pin Bowling, 10-Pin Bowling, Bocce, Curling, and Floor Hockey;
2️⃣ Myrna has been volunteering with SOPEI in multiple roles since 2016 and is the proud mother of two children;
3️⃣ Paul co-hosts the annual Special Olympics PEI Enriching Lives Gala and Auction;
4️⃣ Paul has received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and was inducted into the SOPEI Festival Hall of Fame;
5️⃣ Paul has worked with Holland College as a mail porter for over 22 years.

 

Tommy Macguigan & Dave Morrow

1️⃣ Tommy has been an athlete since 1987 participating in  5-Pin Bowling,  Bocce, Softball, and Floor Hockey;
2️⃣ Dave has been a volunteer with SOPEI in multiple roles since 2002 and is happily married to his same-sex partner thanks to the support from family/friends and the Government of Canada;
3️⃣ Tommy's greatest memory is attending the 2011 World Games in Athens, Greece for softball;
4️⃣ Dave grew up as the youngest in the family with 7 sisters, including one sister who is his twin!
5️⃣ Tommy has received the Special Olympics Canada Dr. Frank Hayden Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and the Sport PEI Inspiration Award in 2020.

Jennifer Hickox & Carole Ann French

1️⃣ Jennifer has been an athlete since 2009 participating in  5-Pin Bowling, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, Bocce, and Floor Hockey;
2️⃣ Carole Ann has been a SOPEI volunteer in multiple roles since 2001;
3️⃣ Jennifer's proudest SO moment was winning a gold medal in Floor Hockey at the 2020 SOC Winter Games in Thunder Bay, ON;
4️⃣ Carole Ann was named the SOPEI Female Coach of the Year in 2016-17 and Jennifer won the Female Athlete of the Year Award in 2017-18;
5️⃣ Jennifer and Carole Ann encourage everyone to stay positive and never give up. Always give your best in everything you do. Both enjoy spending time with their friends and family close to them.

 

 

HailLiegh Mill & Crystal Cromwell

1️⃣ Hailliegh has been an athlete since 2016 participating in  5-Pin Bowling, Basketball, and Floor Hockey;
2️⃣ Crystal has been volunteering as a mentor since 2020;
3️⃣ Hailliegh's biggest sports accomplishment was winning Bronze at the 2020 Truro Floor Hockey Tournament
4️⃣ Crystal started Shinkyokushin Karate in PEI at the age of 43 and enjoys competing in Kumite (sparring) tournaments;
5️⃣ Hailliegh plays the fiddle and is learning to stepdance.