Young Athletes Unite for Ontario Summer Games in Waterloo

The Ontario Summer Games are kicking off in the Waterloo region this Thursday, gathering thousands of young athletes from all over the province for four days packed with competition.

Running from Thursday to Sunday, the games will showcase more than 4,000 athletes aged 12 to 18 competing in 23 different sports.

These sports include basketball and softball as well as archery and swimming.

Among those participating this week is 16-year-old Ava Denny from Waterloo, who will compete in archery representing the Central Zone. This zone includes athletes from Toronto, Peel, Dufferin, Simcoe, York, Waterloo and Niagara.

Denny started archery a few years ago while searching for a sport that suited her. She finds herself drawn to the precision and concentration it demands, along with the individual aspect of the competition.

“All of your wins belong to you and all of your mistakes belong to you,” Denny said. “When you win, you’re like, ‘I did that. That was me.'”

Ava Denny is thrilled about having a provincial event take place in her hometown. “Having so many athletes and just so many backgrounds coming into somewhere where I’m from, that’s just an amazing opportunity,” she said. (Submitted by Ava Denny)

Even though she’s only been competing for a few years, Denny has already made it onto the international stage. Earlier this year, she represented Canada for the first time at a competition held in Medellin, Colombia-her first time competing outside North America.

She expresses excitement about such a significant event arriving in the Waterloo region.

“Having so many athletes and just so many backgrounds coming into somewhere where I’m from, that’s just an amazing opportunity,” she said.

Saijul Rai, also 16 years old, will represent the Milton Bats in softball at these games.

For Rai, this tournament means more than just playing on the field. As the only Punjabi-Sikh athlete participating in U17 Tier 1 softball, she hopes her presence inspires other young athletes from similar backgrounds to find their place in sports.

Saijul Rai plays softball for the Milton Bats (Submitted by Saijul Rai)

“I’m just really grateful that I get to be the person that kids get to look up to and realize that they can do it too,” she said. “I’m looking forward to competing with lots of amazing athletes.”

‘I really hope to inspire a lot more people’

For 15-year-old William Taylor, making it to the Ontario Summer Games is a product of years filled with hard work and determination.

Taylor hails from Rainy River First Nation located about four hours west of Thunder Bay and will be competing in boys’ volleyball.

William Taylor, 15, is from Rainy River First Nation and is already playing volleyball with students in Grades 11 and 12. (Submitted by Ruthann Mc Ginnis)

Taylor recalls that there weren’t many chances for boys to play volleyball while he was growing up. He practiced before school using an open recreation center alongside his dad and spent countless hours watching volleyball videos online.

This dedication led him to secure a spot on his high school’s senior volleyball team where he played alongside older students from Grades 11 and 12.

He mentions facing skepticism regarding his ability to juggle schoolwork with sports while also dealing with stereotypes tied to his background.

“There was a lot of doubts because of my heritage,” Taylor said. “People would just make some jokes and teasing.”

Taylor credits his family’s support as crucial for his progress.

“If I fall, I have a safety net of support that just helps my confidence.”</P

By participating in these Ontario Summer Games, Taylor aims to serve as an example for others within his community.

“I really hope to inspire a lot more people and show them that it’s possible,” Taylor said.</P

‘Building confidence through sport

Aiden Mayer is 18 years old and will be competing in frame running during the Ontario Summer Games using a three-wheeled frame designed for support while racing.

Mayer was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia-an uncommon birth defect impacting lung development-which has limited both strength and endurance.

The discovery of frame running happened two years ago after he had an unexpected encounter at another Ontario Games hosted earlier in St. Catharines.
His father Andy Mayer acts as both coach and supporter; another coach introduced them to this new sport which Aiden took up quickly.

“He actually enjoyed doing it,” Andy stated. “So now he actually has some balance instead of potentially falling over when he runs the100 metres.”Aiden Mayer uses a three-wheeled frame for support while running.(Submitted by Andy Mayer)</P

Since then, Aiden’s involvement has grown tremendously according to Andy; the sport offers him not only enhanced self-confidence but also connections with fellow competitors who encourage him throughout practices and events.
” When you hearthe crowd cheering him on, and he’s gotthe biggest smile intheworld, itjustmakes your heart melt,” Andy expressed.

A ‘high stakes’ event

Meet two Kitchener athletes competingin Ontario Summer Games The Ontario Summer Gamesarein Waterlooregionthisweek, gatheringyoungathletesaged12to18fromalloverprovinceforcompetitions spanning multiple sportsincludingvolleyball, basketball, archery, andsoftball. CBCKW’s Diego Pizarrospeakswithtwoathletesfrom Returnofthe Dragon Martial Artsstudioin Kitcheneraboutcompetingatthegames. Klara White, 11, isjoiningkickboxingwhile Dru Schraud, 13, ispracticingkungfu.<P<Five studentsfrom Returnofthe Dragon Martial Arts Studioin Kitchenerwillparticipateinvaryingmartialartsevents.<P<Klara White, 11, willspecializeinsanda-aformofkickboxingthatmergesstrikingandtakedowns. Shewasinitiallydrawntomartialartsviakickboxingwhichshetookupforselfdefensepurposes.<P<"Justthepremiseofhaving somethingtodetendmyselfif Iwouldeverneedit," shewentonsaid."Ithoughtthatdoingtakedownswouldbealittlefunexperience."
Klara White competing insanda, aformofkickboxingthatcombines strikingwithtakedowns.(Diego Pizarro/CBC)<P<The Ontario Summer Gamesrepresentoneofthelargestcompetitions Whitehasbeenapartofsofarandshefeelsnervousyetenthusiasticforthechance totestherskillsagainstotherathletes."
“Iwanttotrymybesttogoldifeverpossible,” Whitesaid.<P<Dru Schraud, 13, recentlycelebratednineyearstraininginkungfuandwillcompeteusingatraditionallongstaff.Dru Schraudwillcompeteusingalongwoodenstaff.(Diego Pizarro/CBC)<P<Schraudsaystraininghasposedchallengestomeanwhilekeepinghimactive."Itpushesmybodyandit'sjustreallyfun," hesaid."
Competingatthe Ontario Summer Gamespromisesberigorous forthem.”It’sareallybigeventsoit’shighstakes,” hesaid.

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