Ontario Winter Games

While Canada’s winter Olympians have just finished competing in Sochi and our Paralympians on their way, this week it is the future of Canadian sport that will be on display in Muskoka, Ontario. From February 27th till March 2nd Ontario’s young athletes will be competing in a combination of indoor, outdoor, and para sports at the Ontario Winter Games.

Starting in 1970 and taking place every two years, the Ontario Winter Games have now become the province’s largest multi-sport winter event. An anticipated 3500 participants will be taking part in the events this year, with the athletes ranging from 12 to 18 years of age.

This will be the second time the Ontario Winter Games have been held in the Muskoka region, with the last time being in 2010. Events will be held across eight locations including some with Team Canada connections. Gravenhurst, chosen as the location for the sledge hockey tournament also happens to be the hometown of sledge hockey veteran Graeme Murray, who will be competing in the Sochi Paralympics.

The games are designed to be a platform for the development of young amateur athletes by allowing them to gain competition experience at a multi-sport event at the provincial level. For some athletes, the Ontario Winter Games are a part of the pathway to national and international competition.

Twenty three different sports on are on the roster for the Ontario Winter Games over the four days of competition including:

• Ringette
• Sledge Hockey
• Freestyle Skiing
• Volleyball
• Wheelchair Basketball 

The full schedule of events can be seen on the Ontario Winter Games website for those who would like to go see Ontario’s amateur youth athletes in action.