Successful Outdoor PowerHockey Game Commemorates Fellow Player

In the third annual Sean Ross Memorial Summer Classic, it was a great location at the new outdoor rink in Greenwood Park. The new facility's rink surface is smooth with a roof made it an ideal location to play the game of powerhockey. There were three powerhockey leagues from Ontario participating which included CEWHA, TPWHL and OPWHL. In the opening ceremony we were lucky enough to have Toronto Marlies mascot, Duke the Dog for the ceremonial puck drop.

As for the game the Wolves built a 8-0 lead after two periods, however in the third period there was a huge comeback with the Eagles scoring eight goals to tie the game to send it to overtime. In overtime, it was a chaotic experience with all players (over 30 in total) was given the opportunity to play at the same time. The overtime goal was a high shot by Saverio of the Eagles that deflected off the Wolves goalie making it 9-8 for the Eagles. It was another great event organized by Neil Mercer supported by Diane Miasa and Amanda O'Shaughnessy for MCing to commemorate fellow friend and hockey player Sean Ross. I look forward to next years summer classic!

Post by Terrence Ho.

Nova Scotia Wins Goalball 2015 ParaPan Am Test Event

Source: Canadian Paralympic Committee Facebook Page

Nova Scotia Won the Toronto Goalball Invitational over the weekend at the Hershey Center. It was a test event for 2015 ParaPan Am Games, which will be hosted in Toronto next year from August 7 to 15. This 4 team tournament also featured teams from Michigan, Alberta, and Ontario.

What is Goalball?
Goalball was originally created to help World War Two veterans with visual impairments during rehabilitation. It was eventually nominated as a demonstration sport at the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto, and officially became part of the program in 1980. A Goalball team consists of six players per team, and only three players are allowed on the floor at a time. There are only three positions including center, left and right wings, and all three players contribute to offense and defense. Two 12 minute halves are played. They use a round blue ball with bells in it, which helps the athletes hear the ball. The object of the game is to score as many goals in the opponents net as you can. At the last ParaPan Am Games in 2011 Brazil won gold for the men and USA for the woman. Canada finished with bronze for the woman, while the men finished in fourth place..

Chair Yoga Pose to Start Your Week off Strong! Crunches in your chair

Yes, you can do crunches in your chair...who knew right?

Wheelchair- if you're able to, move foot pedals for this one, if you can't no worries, there's modifications for most poses!

1. Extend feet straight out in front of you on floor (if using foot pedals, it's ok just keep feet on them)
2. For this one, it's ok to place lower back on chair, just make sure you're sitting up-right
3. Cross left arm over chest to right shoulder & cross right arm over chest to left shoulder
4.Crunch forward slowly
5. Repeat as much as you can, start maybe with 2 reps of 10, so do 10 then another 10, remember do slowly

Benefits- gives abdominal a good workout, also gives back of legs a good stretch & strengthens upper back

When you are done, you want to stretch it out,

1. Clasp hands together straight above head
2. Pull upwards keeping back straight (resting back on chair is ok)
3. On the inhale raise arms, on the exhale let elbows bend a bit
4. Do same sideways with arms, stretch left & right, stretching out sides

I am a big believer in always stretching your muscles out!

If you ever have questions about poses, please comment on this or any blog I post!

3rd Annual Sean Ross Memorial Summer Classic

This years 3rd Annual Sean Ross Memorial Summer Classic is on tap for Saturday August 23rd 1-5pm. at the newly renovated Greenwood Park (150 Greenwood Ave. Greenwood & Gerrard) in east Toronto, Greenwood park is now home to Toronto's first covered outdoor rink. 25+ friends and former teammates of Sean's from both of Toronto's Power Wheelchair Hockey Leagues (CEWHA & TPWHL) are poised to enjoy a friendly game of 6 on 6 (Power Wheelchair hockey is traditionally 5 on 5) in a regulation sized rink,  The previous 2 Summer Classics were well attended and made for plenty of smiles and good memories. We would like to thank TD Asset Management for their generous support

Sean Ross was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 1973, yet his passion for hockey led him to play his favourite sport for over 25 years. He epitomized the core values of amateur sports; playing with perseverance, respecting others and succeeding with true class and humility. Sean’s involvement in power hockey resulted in accolades and awards, and the admiration of friends and teammates. Many people mourned his passing in early 2011 (age 37). Now, his achievements are celebrated in what we hope will become an annual event.

Power hockey, or wheelchair floor hockey, provides recreational and social benefits for youth and adults with physical disabilities. There are several power hockey leagues that exist in North America and internationally,with hopes of being declared a demonstration sport in the 2016 Paralympics.

For more information or to participate, please contact Neil Mercer

at 416-925-9817 or tikibaba@sympatico.ca

Website

Facebook page:

The Most Entertaining Sport You’ve Never Heard of

Source: The Sports Quotient

Read this great article on the 2014 PowerHockey Cup, written by Philadelphia Powerplay defenseman Luke Hoban on his team's experience and incredible run at the most recent tournament. Here's a snippet of the article:

First, a quick primer on the sport. It plays with rules that are similar to the NHL, with a few exceptions. There are five total players on each team at a time—three forwards, one defenceman, and one goalie. There are no upper or lower age limits; as long as a player understands the rules, they are allowed to play. Likewise, there are no gender or ability limits either. Some players who can’t physically hold their stick tape it to their wheelchair. Line changes are rarer, and usually occur only when play is stopped. Some players even stay on the floor for the entire 45-minute contest. The “floor” I refer to is typically a basketball court with flexible borders that are about a foot high and run all around the perimeter. There are quite a few rules that are specific to wheelchair hockey, but those are mostly just to prevent players from driving as though they’re speeding down I-95.

http://thesportsquotient.com/nhl/2014/8/6/power-wheelchair-hockey-the-most-entertaining-sport-youve-never-heard

Chair Yoga Pose to Start Your Week off Strong! – Ribcage Opener/Twist

The Ribcage Opener/Twist, opens your ribcage, gives your torso a nice stretch and awakens your 'inner' organs.

WHEELCHAIR

1. Sit with your back off chair & feet firmly on foot pedals or if you are able to, release foot pedals to side & place feet firmly on ground
2. Turn & stretch to left, inhaling on the stretch, be sure to come off back of chair when twisting, use your arms to stretch your upper body that much more, BUT only twist as much as you can
3. Let go, come back to centre & exhale for a few breaths
4. Repeat step '2' for right side then exhale back to centre
5. Repeat on each side 2-3 times

CHAIR

1. 1. Sit with your body facing sideways on chair, back off chair & feet firmly on ground in front of body
2. 2. Using arms on back of chair, give yourself a good body twist to left, inhale on your stretch, pulling ribcage up
3. 3. Slowly come back, let the breath go & exhale
4. 4. Repeat step '2' for right side, placing legs to right side5. Repeat on each side 2-3 times