2015 Special Olympics Floor Hockey Championships to be held in Ottawa

(Ottawa) The 2015 Special Olympics Provincial Floor Hockey Championships will be held in Ottawa, Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau and Jeff Hunt, President of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), announced today.

“The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is proud to be a supporter of the Special Olympics Ontario,” said Chief Bordeleau. “All of us at Ottawa Police share the belief that everyone has a fundamental right to dignity, acceptance and respect. Special Olympics prove that one can succeed when one has been given the opportunity.”

The Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Floor Hockey Championships will take place from May 7 to 9, 2015 at Carleton University, in partnership with OSEG and Ottawa Police Service, with support from the Ontario Hockey League.

“Our organization is pleased to partner with Special Olympics to create such an important opportunity for their athletes,” said Jeff Hunt, President of Ottawa OSEG. “These championships will show how people can be transformed through the power and joy of sport.”

With 24 teams, 384 athletes, 72 coaches and over 400 volunteers made up of parents, caregivers and supporters, one of the goals of the Provincial Floor Hockey Championships is to broaden the exposure of the Special Olympics movement.

“The Provincial Championships will provide the backdrop and opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills and abilities,” said Glenn MacDonell, President and CEO of Special Olympics Ontario. “It also speaks to the great partnership and camaraderie that Special Olympics has with the Law Enforcement community in Ontario and other community partners.”

Special Olympics Ontario is the largest organization in Canada to provide grassroots sport programs and competition opportunities, from the local level to the world stage, for people with intellectual disabilities. The organization offers programs for children as young as two years of age and caters to a wide range of abilities.

“Special Olympics is about more than world-class sport programs; it changes attitudes and strengthens communities,” said Glenn MacDonell. “Special Olympics is life-changing, as it provides many opportunities beyond the podium and levels the playing field for individuals with an intellectual disability.”

For more information, please visit www.specialolympicsontario.com