 Police Chief Charles Bordeleau announced that Ottawa will host 2015 Special Olympics provincial floor hockey championship on March 14th. The news was exciting for everyone on the team.“We’re all basically a big, huge family,” Melanie Heroux said. “So it means a lot to have the support of the police behind us for the big announcement of the championship.” Other members of the team were present at the press conference including Tim O’Brien who joined the Gladiators in 2013 and sees the championship as an opportunity not only for the team, but for the city. “I’m excited, I really am,” he said. “I mean, it’s an opportunity for us to host a championship and have teams come from all over Ontario to play, and it’s great for Ottawa.” "It's a great event that's going to happen, we're all excited," said Santini, a forward on his Ottawa floor hockey team. Kim Critchley said she is looking forward to her second championship in Ottawa. The last time was in 2003. "I made it as a host and I was on the B team then," she said. The B team is the highest level for floor hockey. Critchley, 41, has played floor hockey for the past 18 years. "I like the fun of being with boys and girls on the same team," she said. The tournament has 384 athletes from 24 teams competing, and many volunteers helping out. The qualifiers for the provincial tournament will be held in Belleville Ont. on March 22, 2014. All Ottawa teams are expected to attend and compete. "We're very strong this year, we're working hard," Santini said of his team. |
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