It’s time once again for the Law Enforcement Torch Run Herc Pull with our great sponsors, First Air. Please come out and support this fun event on Saturday, September 10 from 10 – 2. The more teams, the merrier! For registration information, contact letr-nt@hotmail.com

The 2011/12 Special Olympics year kicks off Saturday, September 17 with our Welcome Back Warm-Up and Registration. Come on out to Northern United Place at 1:00 ready to move and shake. All athletes, volunteers and coaches are invited to be part of a short warm-up session and then we’ll have registration. Don’t forget your helath care card.
If you are new to Special Olympics NWT or would like to volunteer, please give us a call at 446-2873 for more information.

SONWT is happy to offer a fall session of Active Start for ages 2 – 5 and FUNdamentals for ages 6 – 11. Both programs are family centred, for children and a parent or other adult to enjoy together. Over ten weeks, each participant develops their sport skills at their own pace.
Classes start Saturday, September 10 at JH Sissons school. There is no cost for the program but please register in advance. For information or a registration form, you can contact lynn@sonwt.ca or call 446-2873

We are into the final months of our winter Special Olympics programs.  Figure skating and speed skating have now finished for the season.  Rhythmic gymnastics, bowling and swimming are still underway until our year-end wrap-up.  All Special Olympians should mark May 4 as the year-end banquet, once again to take place at the bowling alley.  For swimmers, there will also be a fun event at the last swimming session of the year on May 8.

Special Olympics NWT programs couldn’t exist with our volunteers and our sponsors.  Staples has been a great supporter of Special Olympics across Canada.  Our local Staples store in Yellowknife and the staff were outstanding in their efforts on our behalf this year and were one of the most successful stores in the country for raising money for Special Olympics.  Thanks so much to Staples and to everyone who made a donation at the store.

Six athletes did a wonderful job of representing the Northwest Territories at the recent Provincial Games in Leduc/Edmonton.  At the speed skating rink, Loic, Pierre and Chris all set personal best times and won several medals.  Over at figure skating, Annie, Harper and Phoebe all exceeded past personal results and Annie and Harper medaled in their divisions.  Coaches Vince and Kelly were very pleased with everyone’s results.

The following week, Annie travelled with coach Brenda to the Canada Games.  She did very well and was selected as the flag bearer for the NWT team at the closing ceremonies.

Six athletes are about to represent Special Olympics NWT at the 2011 Provincial Games in Edmonton/Leduc on February 12.  Phoebe, Annie and Harper will share their talents in figure skating while Pierre, Loic and Chris will be tearing up the speed skating oval.  Coaches Kelly and Vince will be there to help them do their best.  Good luck to all our athletes!!

New Special Olympics NWT Programs for Children Ages 2 – 10

ACTIVE START 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm

FUNDAMENTALS   1:45 pm – 2:30 pm

Saturdays from February 19 to May 7

JH Sissons gym

What are the programs?

Active Start is a 10-week family-centred activity program for children between the ages of 2 and 5. Through the Active Start program, children learn basic motor skills such as walking, running, jumping and throwing in a fun and safe environment.

FUNdamentals is for children between the ages of 6 and 10.  The family-centred program provides children with a more in-depth introduction to sport-related motor skills along with training and competition, while maintaining an atmosphere of fun and meaningful interaction.

Who can be part of the programs?

Here in the NWT, Special Olympic junior athletes are children with intellectual disabilities and other conditions which have social or communication challenges such as FASD and ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

Each child must come with a parent or caregiver.

How can you register?

Athletes must be pre-registered to participate in the program.  Registration information is available here Active Start and FUNdamentals registration form or by contacting lynn@sonwt.ca or 446-2873.

Please register by Wednesday, February 16.

We are hoping to launch 2 exciting new programs for young Special Olympians.  Active Start teaches basic movement skills in 12 weeks of family-centred sessions.  Children aged 2 – 6 and their parents will have fun while working on skills such as jumping, running, throwing and balance.  For those who are 6 – 11, we take these skills a bit further and add in some basic sports skills in areas like basketball, soccer and softball, again in a family-centred approach.

To get our programs going, parents and other interested volunteers are invited to a short information session on Saturday, January 22 at 10:30 am at Northern United Place auditorium.  There is lots of room so bring your little one along if you’d like.

Christopher Taptoona participated in swimming and won a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke on the first day of competition at the Special Olympics Canada Games in London, Ontario.

Congratulations Chris, all your hard work paid off!!