The Halton Hills Guardians Special Olympics Basketball team will be hosting their first ever basketball tournament on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Secondary School in Georgetown.
The team was started in 2019 by Lisa Reid and her husband, Rob, who wanted to provide a space for their son Liam to play basketball. When there was no room on the Milton team, the couple spoke with Halton Hills, where Liam was already swimming with the Halton Hills Waves Special Olympic Swim Team, and decided to create a basketball team.
Lisa says, "It's a popular sport and Milton was overflowing with athletes. We thought it would be great to have a team in Halton Hills. It is an absolutely amazing community of volunteers who run the sports in Halton Hills and we continue to grow each year with new sports and new athletes!"
The team had an amazing first season, winning all of their games in three tournaments, before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to their activities. After two seasons without basketball, the team was able to resume practice in October 2021. This year, the team welcomed many new players and is hoping to grow even more.
The tournament will feature 21 of the team's 23 players, who come from all over the Halton Hills area. The players will be split into two teams: Team Mike, coached by Michael Grove, and Team L, coached by Lisa, Leanne, and Lisa C. Team Mike is the competitive team, while Team L is an adapt/rec team.
The benefits of the team are many Lisa tells Acton UP, “Among the benefits would be physical activity, which is important for people with intellectual disabilities to stay healthy and active. Building confidence and independence, social skills and relationships and most of all a community of peers and parents who understand each other.”
The tournament is a fundraising event for the team, with the goal of raising funds for an away tournament in Kingston next year. The team is hoping to travel together by bus, which would be a first for them. Anyone interested in donating can email Lisa at hhbbguardians@specialolympicsontario.ca.
"We all deserve the chance to shine," says Lisa. "Halton Hills Special Olympics programs allow our athletes to do just that!"
The Halton Hills Guardians Special Olympics Basketball team is part of Special Olympics Ontario - Halton Hills. While the team has only been around for a few years, it has already made a significant impact on the lives of its athletes and their families. Lisa tells Acton UP, "Being a volunteer with Halton Hills Special Olympics has been an amazing experience, it is truly a community of people coming together for people with intellectual disabilities."
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