MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
GET INVOLVED TODAY
WHO ARE WE
motionball is a national non-profit organization that empowers young Canadians to be leaders in their communities, raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics through inclusive social and sporting events. At McMaster University, we’re working to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities living in Hamilton are included, supported, and celebrated. We create relevant, meaningful experiences for university students to give back to their community, while building relationships with local Special Olympics athletes.
motionball events put the fun back into giving, at McMaster and across Canada.
Follow motionball McMaster University on Instagram for more updates!
WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
This day not only brings awareness to the Special Olympics movement, but allows people with and without intellectual disabilities to interact, build lifelong friendships, and ultimately create more inclusive communities.
motionball’s goal is to raise the important funds needed in order to ensure that later this year, all Special Olympics programs can return stronger than ever, to ensure that no athlete is left behind.
For many athletes, Special Olympics is not just about sport, or staying healthy, but also about providing a social network, a sense of belonging and a valuable source of stability – all essential to mental and physical health.
By making a donation to motionball or entering a Team to participate, you’re helping to ensure that our friends at Special Olympics have the resources they need to stay active and return to the sport programs they love.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Without the help of volunteers, these events would not be possible! Each University committee consists of like-minded individuals with a passion to make a difference. Does this sound like you? Join your schools committee in one of the following roles:
Team Captains Communications
Social Media Coordinator
Sponsorship Coordinator
Student Recruitment
Volunteer Coordinator
motionball Ambassador
MEET OUR EVENT DIRECTORS
Emily Van Berkel
BSc KinesiologyEmily is a third year Kinesiology student at McMaster University, and this her my second year involved with motionball. Emily is proud to be a former member of Team Canada for synchronized skating, she loves to travel, eat yummy food, read good books, and has recently taken up crocheting! motionball and the Special Olympics hold a special place in Emilys' heart as they combine two of the most important things in life – sport and inclusion. Emily is lucky to be a part of this family!
Gurleen Sandhu
KinesiologyGurleen has been apart of McMaster motionball's executive committee for the past two years and is so excited to now continue as one of the Event Directors! She first got involved with motionball because she wanted to help in ensuring important programming like the Special Olympics could continue offering what it does to its athletes and after being apart of motionball's team, she has been so lucky to meet the amazing athletes and people part of the team who are so passionate about this cause. In her free time, Gurleen enjoys reading, listening to music and spending time with her friends and family!
#NOGOODWAY
motionball is working to promote positivity and inclusion, demonstrating that there is #NoGoodWay to use the “r-word” (retard). This word is hurtful, outdated, and brings back memories of being bullied and excluded for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
As motionballers, we are proud ambassadors of the #NoGoodWay campaign. Learn more and take the pledge at motionball.com/nogoodway.
motionball is proud to donate 70% of the funds raised from this event to Special Olympics Ontario. This funding is directed to support programs for local athletes in the community. 25% is directed to the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, whose mission is to ensure the long-term financial integrity of the Special Olympics movement in Canada and to fund long term athlete and volunteer growth.
The remaining 5% will help grow the #NoGoodWay Campaign aiming to end the use of the R-word (retard) in everyday conversation. We’re encouraging Canadians to make the choice to eliminate the R-word from their vocabulary and empower them to take #NoGoodWay to their circles of influence.
motionball’s mandate is to introduce the next generation of volunteers and donors to the Special Olympics movement through integrated social and sporting events. motionball now hosts 50+ annual events in 27 cities across Canada. motionball is proud to have donated $14M to the Special Olympics Canada Foundation since our inception in 2002.
