CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Jerred Affleck is excited to reconnect with old buddies, create new friendships and compete against his peers from across the country.
The York resident is one of 38 athletes from across the province who will be participating at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games this week in Thunder Bay, Ont.
“It’s an honour to represent P.E.I.,” said Affleck, a member of the Island’s floor hockey team. “We’re going to show what P.E.I. can do.”
Prince Edward Island will also compete in bowling, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, snowshoeing and speed skating.
Affleck has been involved in Special Olympics for 22 years and this will be his 12th national Winter Games.
Erin Pippy has been involved with Special Olympics for 13 years and will be attending her first nationals.
“I am kind of happy to be going but I am a little nervous,” said the 41-year-old Charlottetown resident, who is a part of the bowling team.
Pippy is looking forward to meeting new people, attending Tuesday’s opening ceremonies and cheering on her teammates.
She found out she would be attending nationals on June 5 and said a lot of work goes into preparing for these Games.
“I bowl two days a week and then there’s fitness on Thursdays and Saturdays, so it’s been a tight schedule,” she said.
Dave Morrow coaches the bowling team and has been involved with the organization for 18 years.
“I like seeing my bowlers improve,” he said. “I like the friendships that they make at the lanes and they help each other out. That's a big part of bowling.”
He has been to nationals in Quebec City, Que.; Brandon, Man.; London, Ont., and in P.E.I.
“The nationals are the best of the best across Canada and we have some wonderful athletes across Canada,” Morrow said. “Prince Edward Island is very well represented. ... We have some great athletes going to Thunder Bay to show what they can do.”
Jeremy Wall, a Summerside resident who plays on the floor hockey team, is attending his sixth nationals.
“Hopefully we can bring home a medal,” said the Toronto Maple Leafs fan who was a part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2016 nationals in Corner Brook, N.L. “It will take lots of hard work, great goaltending and hopefully I can put the puck in the net a few times.”
Athletes began arriving at the Charlottetown Airport around 3 a.m. Sunday. They flew to Toronto first before flying to Thunder Bay.
“(There) maybe a few little sleepy eyes, but you can feel the energy in the room,” Morrow said. “We’re excited to go and we’re ready to go.”
Team P.E.I.
A look at Team P.E.I. for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay, Ont., from Tuesday to Saturday.
Five-pin bowling
Eric Smith, Charlottetown
Erin Pippy, Charlottetown
Glendon Arsenault, Summerside
Heidi Mallett, Alberton
Jamie Trowsdale, Charlottetown
Jennifer MacGuigan, Charlottetown
Jonathan Watts, York
Joni Miner, Summerside
Rolanda Bridges, Charlottetown
Wilbert Murray, Charlottetown
Coaches
Dave Morrow, Covehead
Fran Gillis, Summerside
Cross-country skiing
Ellen MacNearney, Montague
Tommy Ling, Charlottetown
Coach
Kathleen MacNearney, Montague
Curling
Christopher MacPherson, Charlottetown
Monique Gauthier, Charlottetown
Rachael Loggie, Charlottetown
Shane MacPhee, Charlottetown
Shelby McInnis, Souris
Coaches
Gie Rogers, Charlottetown
Nancy MacPhee, Charlottetown
Figure skating
Alyssa Chapman, Murray Harbour
Coach
Jessica Godfrey, Cornwall
Floor hockey
Billy Acorn, Brackley
Brian McNab, Charlottetown
Evan Costain, Summerside
Geoffery Bridges, Charlottetown
Jennifer Hickox, Charlottetown
Jeremy Cheverie, Cornwall
Jeremy Wall, Summerside
Jerred Affleck, York
John Anthony Laybolt, Johnstons River
Keegan Waite, Summerside
Lisa Bernard, Stratford
Micheal MacIsaac, Charlottetown
Nathan Irwin, Summerside
Shawn Mitchell, Charlottetown
Tommy MacGuigan, Charlottetown
Travis Perry, Miscouche
Coaches
CY Holland, Stratford
Peter Howatt, Charlottetown
Rickey Burns, Charlottetown
Mission staff
Jamie Henry, Cornwall
Snowshoeing
Cameron Gordon, Charlottetown
Christie-Joe (C.J.) Synder-Couchman, Tignish
Coach
Michele Chapman, Murray Harbour
Speedskating
Jordan Koughan, Johnstons River
Logan Robbins, Charlottetown
Coach
Kristen MacDonald, Cornwall
Mission staff
Chef de mission – Matthew McNally, Mount Stewart
Manager – Genna Phelan, Charlottetown
Staff members
Craig Watson, Hunter River
Jamie Matheson, Montague
Jodi Harper, Harrington
Judy Gallant, Charlottetown
Lynda Hontscharowicz, Charlottetown
By the numbers
Some numbers for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games 2020 in Thunder Bay, Ont.
1,200 – Athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff involved.
60 – Technical officials.
500 – Volunteers.
800 – Friends and family attending.
50 – Special Olympics Canada family and sponsors.
8 – Sports (alpine skiing, five-pin bowling, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating).
