Page 32 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 140

32 Issue 140 September 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

A Successful Start for the Special Olympics and a

Look at the Future

By Christine Ouellet

or the past 50 years, Special
FOlympics have grown
tremendously, and Ron Cambridge
continues to bear the torch by
successfully bringing them back
to the Cornwall area. He continues
to promote human values such as
dignity, respect, and inclusion for
disabled people and has engaged the
community in this initiative.
The first season was a success.
Cambridge started with BOCCE
where one team throws a small ball
and then both teams try to get their
larger balls closest to the smaller one,
an easy game available to everyone.
For the first season, the participation
was great. They also drew much
interest from the community. The
Alexandria-Cornwall Special
Olympics B0CCE team had a lot
of fun. They traveled to Ottawa on
August 11th to participate in their
first tournament.
Coach Ron Cambridge said, “It Left to Right: Clayton Mondoux, Rowan Kupina, Jessika Munro, Chad Radbourne and Trevor Patterson
was a great day for everyone. Our Grant Photo Submitted
athletes had the opportunity to play
ahead, the hope is to capitalize on coaches, and equipment donations. families who were tremendously
a sport they’ve come to love, meet, this great momentum and continue Specifically, Ron hopes to welcome helpful throughout the season and
and compete with fellow athletes
to grow the Special Olympics a few volunteers with basketball instrumental to its success, as well as
from across Eastern Ontario, and community in the area. Of particular experience into the coaching group. the community of Cornwall for their
experience what the greater Special interest, Ron hopes to see both Special He encourages anyone interested support.
Olympics community is all about.
Olympics basketball and bowling in in being involved with this great Welcome back Special Olympics!
We are “one team” competing and the fall/winter.” Potentially interested community to reach out to him to
one of them even won every game ERRATUM: In the first article
athletes are encouraged to contact discuss opportunities in further detail.
and was awarded a first-place ribbon. him by e-mail at Ronaldcambridge@ we erroneously mentioned that they
It’s always nice to win, even though hotmail.com or karen.cambridge@ And of course, Special Olympics started in 1984 which is incorrect,
the focus was really about the joy Alexandria-Cornwall always the Special Olympics began in
hotmail.com, or the new Facebook welcomes new fans, supporters,
of participation. It was established page which can be found by searching 1968. BOCCE is where one team
to provide meaningful training and and ideas for fundraising and throws a small ball and then both
‘Alexandria-Cornwall Special opportunities to promote and grow
competition opportunities for persons Olympics.’ This forum was created teams try to get their larger balls
with intellectual disabilities. As stated to share information as additional Special Olympics in the area. closest to the smaller one. Special
in the pledge of Special Olympics: Summer BOCCE may be ending, but
teams are set up for registration and exciting things are on the horizon for Olympics receive funding from the
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let are up and running. There is also government; however, they mostly
me be brave in the attempt.”,- this great community.
an important need for community depend on fundraising and corporate
Kelly Cambridge said, “Looking volunteer support for board members, Ron also wanted to extend a sponsorship.
special thank you to the athlete