On Saturday July 17th, 12 motionball team members piled into one cozy 12 passenger van or `beast` as some liked to call it and were off to London, ON for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games!

With 1,400 Special Olympic athletes in attendance, 1,800 families and supporters registered to attend the Games and 800 volunteers, we were in for a great afternoon!

After a 2 hour drive and one McDonald`s stop later we had arrived and went straight to the gym to watch the dead lift powerlifting.

The strength and determination in the Athletes and the overall encouragement that came from supporters and athletes to their fellow competitors was truly inspiring. Tears were shed, hugs and standing ovations were given.. I think we all felt the energy and excitement of the athletes, volunteers, family and friends. One moment in particular stood out and that was when one athlete hugged his coach after a successful lift. The genuine excitement and sense of accomplishment in the athletes face was definitely felt by the entire room and i’m sure left a mark in many spectators hearts.

Among many of the fearless athletes in the dead lift powerlifting competition was Jackie Barrett, who earlier that day lifted 265.5 kg at the squat powerlifting competition and broke a Special Olympics world record. Jackie was quoted in the London Free Press saying, “I didn’t give up and that’s what Special Olympics is all about – breaking barriers.”

After a great night out with the motionball team, our morning departure of 10am proved to be a challenge. The 12 of us piled back into our lovely van and were off…but not before we stopped at Tim Horton`s for much needed coffee and breakfast. We were ready to get on the road when we encountered a minor problem-the van wouldn`t start.. After many asks of people pulling into the drive in and many declines..we finally had someone stop and with a newly charged battery, we were ready to go!

Thank you to everyone who came on the first ever motionball ROAD TRIP!

A few months ago motionball applied for a Sponsorship Grant with Green Shields. Happy to report that we received a cheque in the amount of $20,000!

Thank you Green Shield!

motionball Vancouver took the field on June 5, 2010 in the Annual Marathon of Sport!

With the sun in full effect EA Sports was a great host yet again for us.  Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the top fundraisers as well as marathon sports participants. Vancouver also added a new team trophy award this year for “best dressed.”

On May 29, 2010 over 350 Torontonians took to the field with other young professionals and Special Olympic athletes to compete in one of the city’s most coveted annual sporting events, the Marathon of Sport.

Marathon of Sport Toronto, presented by Sun Life Financial, is an intense day of athletic competition that sees motionball supporters compete alongside Special Olympians in multiple games of volleyball, soccer, flag football, ultimate Frisbee and new to motionball’s line up, bench ball.

With the help of our generous donors and sponsors including motionball’s National Presenting Sponsors, Air Miles and Sun Life Financial as well as event participants and supporters, Marathon of Sport Toronto was a huge success, raising over $100,000 for Special Olympics Canada.

Congratulations to Paul’s Weathered Warriors and the Specialists who were the top 2 pledging teams. Paul’s Weathered Warriors raised an outstanding $12,621 and the Specialists raised an amazing $8,730.00.

Congratulations and thank you to the top pledgers!

Both on and off of the field it was clear why motionball supporters often refer to Marathon of Sport as one of their most favorite days of the year!

See you all next year!

This past Saturday (May 1st) students from private schools in Toronto gathered at Havergal College to compete with Special Olympic Athletes in a Mini Marathon of Sport in support of the Special Olympics.

After competing in a variety of sports such as bench ball, floor hockey, soccer baseball and ultimate frisbee, teams refueled at the snack station with candy and popcorn-yum!

Competition was fierce with 2 teams tying for first place! The winning team was declared by a good old fashion; and motionball tradition; game of rock, paper, scissors!

With the help of motionball team member, Denise and Havergal students, the day was a huge success and raised awareness and funds for the Special Olympics.

Thank you to everyone who attended and made the day such a success! We hope to see you again next year and for those who are graduating, we look forward to having you a part of future Marathon of Sport events!

On Thursday, April 30, 2010, Brett; Toronto Marathon of Sport Team Captain; planned a team social to introduce team members to each other in prep for the big event on May 29th!  Special Olympic athlete, motionball ambassador and dear friend of motionball, Kevin, also joined the nights festivities.

The team talked strategy and set a date to practice…this will be a team to watch out for!

Let the games begin!

For more information on motionball’s Marathon of Sport event, click here: http://www.motionball.com

On Saturday April 17th, the motionball Calgary crew hosted their first motionball Gala. Calgary’s young professional crowd mixed and mingled at the beautiful BR& Steak Frites at the Bank.

All eyes were on the the amazing Cindy Mathieu, who once again put on an amazing SODAliscious Fashion Show!

Maestro, who has been referred to as the “Godfather of Canadian hip hop” took the stage and managed to get everyone on the dance floor!

A special thank you goes to hockey hall of famer, Lanny McDonald who was the Honorary Chair for the evening!

From the Gourmet Dessert buffet, to the raffle draw for 100 bottles of wine from David Walkers’s 100 Wines (although i’m sure after the Gala, looking at 100 bottles of wine would be difficult) Calgary truly set the bar high for next years event!

Calgary has left everyone wanting more..Congratulations and a special thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers and everyone who came to the Inaugural Calgary Gala. A very special thank you goes to the sponsors of motionball. Without each and every one of you the night would not have been the success that it was!

While most people are probably feeling Olympic withdrawal (and the effects of Sunday night’s celebrations) the feeling of “I am Canadian” is loud and alive.

With the 2010 Olympic games being held in Vancouver, Olympic fever set the tone for the 2010 motionball Vancouver Gala, Stand On Guard.The Annual motionball Vancouver Gala took place on February 21, 2010 at District 319. Guests came together to cheer on Canada as the Canadian Men`s Hockey team played the USA.

One of the highlights of the evening was when Special Olympian and Global Messenger Speaker, took to the stage in the 1st intermission with an inspiring speech that received a massive standing ovation in the theater.

Gold medalist, Theo Fluery stopped by to celebrate with motionball guests.

Despite Canada’s round robin loss to the United States, the event was a huge success, raising over $28,000!

Thank you to everyone who came to the Annual Vancouver motionball Gala. A very special thank you goes to the sponsors of motionball. Without each and every one of you the night would not have been the success that it was!

Whats next? The Marathon of Sport Vancouver!

On February 5, 2010 guests escaped to Cloud Nine and were feeling heavenly..even though some (or most of us) probably didn’t feel as heavenly the next morning!

With the Annual motionball Gala almost 2 weeks behind us, guests, volunteers and the motionball team are still talking about the highlights of the night (there were lots!). From the VIP Reception at Centro to the Capitol Theatre, the event was a huge success raising over $150,000 for the Special Olympics and sold out 9 days in advance with 1200 guests in attendance (AMAZING!)

Guests mixed and mingled at Centro with a cocktail in one hand, and delicious food in the other. The ladies took comfort in knowing they could party in style and comfort with a pair of ‘Damn Heels’ flats. From bidding on the fabulous auction items, to getting creative with the Shared Palet Station, Centro set the tone for a great night!

As the emcee at the VIP reception, CP24’s Matte Babel got the crowd excited and wanting more!

The party continued at the Capitol Theatre where drinks continued to flow and guests kicked off the night to the amazing band, Escalade. While some guests bit into a little piece of heaven at the ‘All things chocolate dessert buffet’ others danced the night away with DJ Jed Dadson, Sam Flemming and Marko Bongo.

Special Thanks to our emcees at the Capitol Theatre-The Score’s Cabbie Richards and MTV’s Nicole Holness

The night quickly heated up and the crowds attention drew to the Calvin Klein Underwear Fashion Show, which apparently was a hit..

Thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers and everyone who came to the 9th Annual Toronto motionball Gala. A very special thank you goes to the sponsors of motionball. Without each and every one of you the night would not have been the success that it was!

BE APART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL…For the latest and greatest on motionball, check out the motionball blog,  facebook page and twitter.

On June 6th, the 4th Annual Vancouver Marathon of Sport was held at the amazing EA Sports Complex. 18 teams of ten, with one Special Olympics athlete per team, competed in an intense day of sport including beach volleyball, bocce, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, badminton and soccer.

Each Marathon of Sport event has its own unique brand – something that makes it special. So what sets the Vancouver event apart from its counterparts across the country?? Along with singing the National Anthem at the Opening Ceremonies, each team “dresses up” their Marathon t-shirts!

We’ll choose not to comment on the spandex jumpsuit…except to say that it takes a brave man to attend a sporting event ‘Borat styles’!!

After the sand on the volleyball courts settled and the Frisbees had fallen, the Marathon of Sport participants raised a whopping $45,000 for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation!! Thank you to all who came out, title sponsor Sun Life Financial and a very special shout out to John Hibbard and his team for their hard work in putting together a fun and successful event. The motionball team can’t wait to see what you do next year!