We are thrilled to congratulate the 40 Coaches and Mission Staff from across the country who have been named to the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad 2023.
These individuals will represent Canada at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin from June 17-25, 2023, supporting qualifying athletes from all 12 Provincial/Territorial Chapters across Canada.
The Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad will be led by two volunteers: Chef de Mission, Susan Lamboo and Assistant Chef de Mission, Jodi Flanagan.
Both Lamboo and Flanagan have been volunteers for over 30 years with Special Olympics, running programs in Manitoba and Alberta and contributing to coach development nationally.
“I am so proud to have this group of talented, dedicated individuals serving as the Coaches and Mission Staff for the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad 2023,” says Chef 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.”
As the National Team Program prepares for the Special Olympics World Games, community programs across Canada have also begun to reopen – and are in critical need of volunteers.
“As coaches, we are facilitators of potential. With access to training and support, the sky is the limit for our athletes,” says Assistant Chef Flanagan. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see them achieve new heights, and you never know where they’ll take you! We are very grateful for Special Olympics Canada’s confidence in us to lead the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad to World Games.”
As well as the 40 Coaches and Mission Staff, Special Olympics Canada will name 89 athletes to the Team in October of 2022.
Please join us in congratulating our esteemed team of Coaches and Mission Staff of the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad 2023!
LEADERSHIP & SUPPORT TEAM:
Susan Lamboo, Chef de Mission - Manitoba
Jodi Flanagan, Assistant Chef de Mission - Alberta
Kirsten Bobbie, Team Manager - Ontario
Sarah Sin-Chan, Team Manager - Ontario
Kendra Isaak, Team Manager - Ontario
Allie Wiebe, Communications Liaison - Ontario
Michael Obendoerfer, Communications Liaison - British Columbia
Neil Cheeseman, Team Doctor - Newfoundland and Labrador
Marion Cornish, Team Doctor - Nova Scotia
Natascha Wesch, Mental Performance Lead - Ontario
COACHES & MISSION STAFF:
ATHLETICS
Marie Powell, Head Coach - Alberta
Rosie Ryan, Assistant Coach - Newfoundland and Labrador
Peter De Marchi, Assistant Coach - British Columbia
Renée Stewart, Assistant Coach - Ontario
Tom Norton, Alternate Coach - British Columbia
Erin Harper, Additional Staff - Manitoba
Darren Inouye, Mission Staff - British Columbia
Helen Johnston, Mission Staff Alternate, Ontario
BASKETBALL
James Richardson, Head Coach Men's Team - Ontario
Megan Penno, Head Coach Women's Team - Saskatchewan
Doug Branscombe, Assistant Coach Men's Team - Nova Scotia
Ben Lozinsky, Assistant Coach Women's Team - Saskatchewan
Breanne Nichol, Alternate Coach Men's Basketball Team - Manitoba
Darren Hemeryck, Mission Staff Men's Basketball - Manitoba
Tina Copp, Mission Staff Women's Basketball Team - Alberta
BOCCE
David Wilkinson, Head Coach - British Columbia
Karen Hurley, Mission Staff - Alberta
BOWLING
Serge Gagnon, Head Coach - Quebec
Patricia Enns, Assistant Coach - Alberta
Eric Dunn, Mission Staff - Quebec
GOLF
Glenn Cundari, Head Coach - Ontario
Craig Faulkner, Alternate Coach - Nova Scotia
POWERLIFTING
Jeff Butt, Head Coach - Newfoundland and Labrador
Jacqueline Mazur, Assistant Coach - Manitoba
George Maclagan, Alternate Coach - British Columbia
Duane Carson, Mission Staff - Ontario
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Jennifer Fyfe, Head Coach - British Columbia
Sheri Scott, Alternate Coach - Nova Scotia
Elaine Willcock, Mission Staff - Ontario
SOCCER
Amanda Trenchard, Head Coach - Alberta
Steve Dreger, Assistant Coach - Manitoba
Michelle Cruickshank, Mission Staff - British Columbia
SWIMMING
Jackie Powell, Head Coach - Saskatchewan
Evan Krofchick, Assistant Coach - Ontario
Maura Hunter, Alternate Coach - Nova Scotia
Mike McCarther, Mission Staff - Nova Scotia