CHARLOTTETOWN – It will be 55-year-old Tommy MacGuigan’s 17th time competing nationally with Team P.E.I., when he heads to Nova Scotia on Monday to participate in the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games.
This year, MacGuigan will compete in softball, but he has participated in various sports before.
“I’ve been in many (Special Olympics) National Games, floor hockey and softball, track,” said McGuigan. “This will be the fifth time for softball.”
Lisa Bernard is also representing P.E.I. in softball. She thinks the team has a good shot at winning, but it isn’t about winning to her, she said.
“We’re trying not to worry about the medals, we’re there just to have fun,” offered Bernard, who even hangs out with athletes on other teams.
“I try to make new friends,” she added.
MacGuigan agreed he participates for the love of the game.
“It’s just sort of go over (to Antigonish), and whatever happens happens,” he said.
Pep rally
Supporters and members of Team P.E.I. filled the Duffy Lecture Theatre at UPEI for a pep rally on Thursday evening to send off competitors to the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games.
Each team member was introduced as they entered, cheering each other on along with the audience.
Team P.E.I. was full of energy, standing and clapping as the final athletes’ names were announced.
The Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games is a qualifying event to represent Canada at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Bowlers recognized
It wasn’t all about the upcoming National Summer Games. Bowlers on Team P.E.I. were congratulated for taking part in the 2018 national championships on the Island in May.
Malpeque MP Wayne Easter spoke to Team P.E.I.’s bowlers, who took home a silver medal and two gold medals in fivepin as well as three bronze and a silver medal in tenpin.
“I wanted to take a moment to congratulate the bowlers for the event you held. You showed the province well, you’ve done yourselves proud and you showed the rest of the team what to do in Antigonish,” he said.
Easter was impressed with the enthusiasm of Team P.E.I.
“Watching this group come in here, do you really need a pep rally?” Easter joked.
Numbers
There are nine sports featured at this year’s National Summer Games which are athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball and swimming.
It is expected that over 3,000 spectators will be on-site, in addition to over 900 athletes, 290 coaches, officials, mission staff and volunteers. Events will take place in Antigonish from July 31 to Aug. 4.
Before Team P.E.I. ate cake and handed out player cards to loyal fans in attendance, MacGuigan addressed his teammates, stating Team P.E.I.’s mantra, “Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.”
Team P.E.I. Roster
Team P.E.I. roster for Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games:
Athletics
Athletes – Jeremy Wall, Summerside; Teri Cudmore, Charlottetown.
Head coach – Jodi Harper, Brackley.
Bocce
Athletes – Janet Charchuck, Alberton; Jennifer Hickox, Charlottetown; Rick Chan, Charlottetown; Tommy Ling, Charlottetown.
Head coach – Carole Anne French, Charlottetown.
Golf
Athlete – Phillip Chugg, Stratford.
Head coach – Jamie Matheson, Montague.
Powerlifting
Athlete – Kolton Doucette, Wellington Station.
Head coach – Ross MacIntosh, N.S.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Athlete – Rachael Loggie, Charlottetown.
Head coach – Sarah Profitt, York.
Soccer
Athletes – Alyssa Chapman, Murray Harbour; Andrew Maloney, Montague; Callie Wood, Montague; Geoffrey Bridges, Charlottetown; Jeremy Cheverie, Cornwall; John Rafuse, Montague; Logan Robbins, Charlottetown; Marlee MacDonald, Murray River; Sarah MacDonald, Souris; Scott Brousseau, Montague; Shawn Mitchell, Charlottetown.
Co-head coaches – Terry Nabuurs, Charlottetown; Emilie Boucher, Charlottetown.
Assistant coach – Dave Morrow, Covehead.
Softball
Athletes – Aaron Myers, Charlottetown; Brandon Younker, Charlottetown; Billy Acorn, Charlottetown; Brian McNab, Charlottetown; Cedric Gallant, Charlottetown; Chris MacPherson, Charlottetown; Glendon Arsenault, Summerside; Jerred Affleck, Charlottetown; John Morton, Charlottetown; Lisa Bernard, Charlottetown; Sherry Hiscock, Charlottetown; Tommy MacGuigan, Charlottetown; Wallace MacMaster, Charlottetown.
Head coach – Judy Gallant, Charlottetown.
Assistant coaches – Alan Stewart, Hunter River; Jamie Henry, Cornwall.
Swimming
Athletes – Ellen MacNearney, Montague; Roy Paynter, Kensington.
Head coach – Sarah Paynter, Kensington.
