Keasha Maile, FEO, March 6, 2025, VOL. 6 ISSUE 13
Local athlete Ryan Rumsey is preparing to represent the Welland Tigers Softball Team at the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Championships in Brantford this July. Selected by Head Coach Tim Dixon, Rumsey is eager to showcase his skills and bring home a provincial title.
“When I found out I was selected, I felt very proud,” Rumsey said. “It was our team, Welland Champions Special Olympics Softball, who won the Provincial Qualifier tournament last summer, and the players going to the Provincial Championship are limited. For my Head Coach Tim Dixon to choose me, that had me knowing that I was a select few of the qualities he believes are among the best on our team and has the skills to compete for and hopefully win the Ontario championship.”
Rumsey’s journey in Special Olympics Softball began in 2023, the same year he joined the Special Olympics. His passion for sports extends far beyond the softball diamond. He competes in multiple Special Olympics programs, including floor hockey with the Welland Tigers, competitive swimming with the Port Colborne Seals, and soccer with the Niagara United Thunder. Outside the Special Olympics, he stays active in boxing with Buffalo Boxing Club, ice hockey with Buffalo Sabres Special Hockey, and baseball with the Niagara Phillies in Buffalo.
His dedication to sports has come with personal growth. “Some challenges I’ve overcome are mostly learning patience with others at their skill level and how to trust my coaches if I have a conflict with other athletes,” he shared. “My whole life, I grew up without that support and dealt with conflict on my own, which caused me some difficulty in the Special Olympics. But trusting in my coaches to do their job instead of trying to do it myself brings so much help to my experience. For the first time, I have mentors who have my back, and I’m very grateful for that.”
With the provincial championships on the horizon, Rumsey is focused on preparing for the competition. “I am preparing for the provincial championship by filling out the correct paperwork, making checklists of things I will need on the trip to Brantford on July 10-13, continuing my current sports to maintain my strength and athletic ability, and soon beginning our softball season to really hone skills and teamwork.”
Rumsey is confident in his team’s ability to succeed and is eager to bring home a victory. “Bringing an Ontario Provincial Championship in Softball to my home here in Fort Erie will be my most proud and significant achievement in Special Olympics. I look forward to sharing that with everyone in our town who supports & encourages my Special Olympics journey!”
