motionballU MAIN PAGE – motionball For Special Olympics

motionballu

about us

motionball is a national non-profit organization that empowers young Canadians to be leaders in their communities, raising funds and awareness of the Special Olympics movement through inclusive social and sporting events.

The motionball University program was established to give Canadian university students the opportunity to create meaningful, relevant ways to support Special Olympics through their own on-campus initiatives and events.

Where Fun and Giving Unite

motionballU events are purposeful, fun, and inclusive, connecting university students with individuals in their community who participate in Special Olympics programs.

Through these events, students have the opportunity to give back to a great cause, promote inclusion, and build meaningful relationships with local Special Olympics athletes. Together, they celebrate teamwork, friendship, and the power of sport. To date, motionball has donated over $20 million to the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, with a significant portion of this impact driven by the passion and dedication of university students nationwide.

Interested in getting involved? Start your own motionballU chapter at your university if there isn’t one already! Click below for more information on how to get started!

CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM AT sarah@motionball.com

Follow us on instagram

Want to participate? Click on your university name below to get involved! There are lots of ways to help out including joining a committee, volunteering, or putting in a Team for Marathon of Sport. Join today!

Bishop’s University

Brock University
Dalhousie University
Degroote School of Business
Laurentian University
MacEwan University

McGill University
McMaster University
Nipissing University
Ontario Tech University
Queen’s University
Redeemer University

Saint Mary’s University
St. FX University
Thompson Rivers University
TMU
Trent University
University of Alberta

University of British Columbia Okanagan
University of British Columbia Vancouver
University of Calgary
University of Guelph
University of Manitoba

University of New Brunswick
University of Ottawa
University of Saskatchewan
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
University of Western Ontario (Western University)

Meet our national leadership council 2025/2026

Meet this year’s National Leadership Council (NLC). This council is made up of 15 passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic past and present student leaders who work alongside motionball’s National Office to help enhance the motionball University program.

Each of these leaders serve as mentors to our current motionballU Event Directors across Canada, providing them with guidance and support throughout the school year.

Riley Workentin

Hi! I recently completed my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Queen’s University and will be starting a research-based master’s in Occupational Science this fall at Western University. I’ve been involved with motionballU since 2022, most recently as an Event Director, and I’m currently part of the London motionball City Chapter as Social Media & Marketing Coordinator. As a member of the NLC, I’m excited to connect with others who are passionate about creating inclusive and meaningful experiences.

Mara Majer

Hi! I graduated from Queen’s University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology and currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences from Queen’s. This is my fifth year being a part of motionball, having first joined the Queen’s University committee in 2021. I have absolutely loved getting to know the incredible people involved in this organization and am so grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring community. As a member of the NLC, I’m excited to continue connecting with university students who are passionate about creating inclusive and accessible opportunities in sport.

Emily Bulmer

Hi! My name is Emily Bulmer and I’m heading into my fifth and final year at the University of Guelph, studying Marketing Management with a minor in Psychology. I’m so excited to be part of the National Leadership Council this year! Over the past few years, I’ve been involved with motionballU — first as Social Media Coordinator and then as Director — where I’ve had the opportunity to grow our team, strengthen fundraising efforts, and build lasting connections within our community. I’m thrilled to take this next step with motionball and continue spreading the movement nationwide!

Avery Alexander

Hi! I’m a recent graduate from McGill University’s Faculty of Education. I have been a part of the motionball family since 2021 and was the Co-Event Director at McGill for three years. Ever since the first event I attended, I have been hooked on the inclusive, dance-party loving, community-oriented organization that motionball is. I have helped McGill’s motionballU chapter grow both in fundraising and in student involvement, where in 2025 I helped McGill set a new fundraising record of $25,000! I am very excited to be joining the NLC this year and hope to share my knowledge and passion for motionball with other university students while helping them crush their goals for the 2025/2026 motionballU season!

Molly Hicks

Hi! I have been involved with motionballU at Laurier University for 3 years and just graduated in June with a BA in psychology. I was a part of the creation of the Laurier motionballU chapter in 2022, and ever since then have been so inspired by the cause and have learned what it truly means to educate, integrate, and celebrate. I am so excited to be able to connect with other Event Directors and individuals on the NLC across Canada to help increase the presence of motionball in schools, and across the community!

Alyssa Barbuto

Hi! My name is Alyssa and I have recently graduated from McGill University with a BSc and am currently doing my Masters, also at McGill! I was a part of motionball as an Event Director for the past 3 years at McGill, and raised a cumulative total of over $45K!! Being a part of motionball is truly so special to me, building a community with fellow students and motionball members all with the common goal of raising money and spreading awareness for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation is something I want to be doing for as long as I can!!! Besides motionball, I love travelling, country music, and watching sports! I’m so excited to be a part of the NLC and help guide motionballU event directors to success 🙂

Alex Partridge

Hi! My name is Alex and I graduated from Queen’s University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. This fall I will be starting my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. I first joined the Queen’s motionball committee in 2022 and became an Event Director in my 4th year! I got involved with motionball because I am passionate about creating inclusive sporting opportunities. Being a part of motionball was the highlight of my undergrad and I am so excited to be on the NLC this year and support university chapters!

Sophie Lewis

Hi, I’m Sophie! I’m a recent graduate of StFX and currently pursuing my Bachelor of Education at UNB. I’ve been involved with motionball since 2022, serving as the Event Director at StFX for two years. The motionball movement holds a special place in my heart — I grew up with my best friend who has Down Syndrome, and that experience inspired my passion for creating inclusive spaces where everyone can play and feel supported. Through motionball, I’ve built lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. I’m excited to stay connected with this amazing community and continue meeting incredible Special Olympics athletes this year!

Alivia Monet

Hi! My name is Alivia and I’m from Sun Peaks, BC. I just completed my Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology from Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and have been involved with motionballU for four years, one of which I spent as the Event Director. I joined motionball to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes while promoting the importance of inclusivity and empowering individuals of all abilities. This is my second year on the NLC, and I’m excited to continue my involvement to help support university chapters reach their goals!

Lexie Delisle

Hi! My name is Lexie and I am a first year Masters of Science in Neuroscience student at Western University with a passion for community, sport and making a difference. I’ve been involved with motionball for the past four years, serving as Event Director for three of them. Aside from my studies and motionball, I am a varsity lacrosse player and love to stay active. I’m so excited to take my involvement with motionball to the next level as a mentor to incoming EDs and inspire others to make a meaningful difference. The immediate and tangible impact these efforts have on the athletes we support is what keeps me coming back to this incredible organization year after year.

#NOGOODWAY

motionball for Special Olympics is empowering Canadians to lead with kindness and inclusion through the #NoGoodWay campaign – our national anti-bullying movement supporting Special Olympics athletes and all individuals with intellectual disabilities. We’re calling on Canadians to end the casual and harmful use of the r-word (retard) in everyday language.

Words matter. Choosing inclusive language creates safer, kinder spaces for thousands of Candians living with intellectual disabilities. Learn more and take the #NoGoodWay pledge at motionball.com/nogoodway

motionballu

about us

Where Fun and Giving Unite

Follow us on instagram