UBCO MOTIONBALL
GET INVOLVED TODAY
WHO WE ARE
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 UBC Okanagan, we’re working to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities living in B.C. 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 UBCO and across Canada.
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
Interested in getting involved? Connect with our local Team for more information: ubco@motionball.com
MEET OUR EVENT DIRECTORS
Georgia Mayhew
Bachelor of Arts in PsychologyGeorgia is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts student with aspirations to pursue a master's degree in counselling psychology. She is originally from Calgary but moved to Kelowna in 2019 for her studies. Her passion lies in building community and fostering connections in her life, which is what led her to become involved with motionball. Georgia has dedicated two years to motionball as an Event Director for the UBCO Committee and has cherished every moment of her involvement. She is inspired by the Special Olympic athletes, who motivate her to push past challenges and work towards her academic and personal goals. Beyond her commitments to motionball, you can often find her participating in spin classes, indulging in wine tasting experiences, and enjoying quality time with her friends. After graduation, Georgia hopes to continue her involvement with motionball on the Kelowna committee.
Kylie Hildebrant
MicrobiologyKylie is a 4th year student studying microbiology at UBC Okanagan. After her undergrad, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. Kylie’s first experience with motionball was as a participant in her city’s Marathon of Sport event. She had the best time and knew she wanted to get more involved. She joined the motionball UBCO committee as an Event Director last year and looks forward to continuing in this role. Kylie is so thankful for this opportunity and her experiences with motionball!
#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 BC. 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.
