On Saturday, August 23, 2025 GDSO hosted its annual Softball tournament with 8 teams from across the GTA. We would like to take this time say a massive BIG THANK YOU to the Canadian Progress Club - Durham South for providing the lunch for the athletes, coaches and volunteers  

Important information regarding the registration process at the bottom of the below list

Basketball (Ajax): age 13+  Capacity: 12 athletes per club

Location: Permit To Be Approved by the DDSB for Pickering High School, Ajax Program

Times:  Mondays 6 – 10 PM

Starting Sept 29th to March 30

Lead Volunteers: Kevin Thompson, Andrew White, Susan Heldsinger greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.ca & Joan Henry

Details:  3 Competitive teams (no Learn To):

Durham (Ajax) Flames Low D Basketball  New athletes must enroll in this program•       

Durham (Ajax) Phoenix High D Basketball (Returning athletes only)•        Durham (Ajax) Heat C Basketball  (Returning athletes only)

Basketball (Oshawa): age 13+

Location: Permit To Be Approved by the DDSB for Village Union Public School - 155 Gibb St., Oshawa

Program Times: Mondays 6 PM to 8 PM -

Starting: Sept. 29th to March 30

Lead Volunteers: Bob Camozzi, Michelle Fortner-Cox & Karen Moloney greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.ca

Details:  

1 Recreational program

1 Competitive program      

Durham Basketeers (Rec)   New athletes must enroll in this program  Capacity: 12 athletes      

Durham Warriors Basketball (Competitive)  Capacity: 15 athletes

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the Basketeers club - send an email to greaterdurham.volunteers@specialolympicsontario.ca if interested

Bocce: 18+   Durham Bocce Club   Capacity: 12 athletes

Location: Permit To Be Approved by the DDSB for Maxwell Heights Secondary School, 1100 Coldstream Dr., Oshawa

Program Times: Mondays 6 PM to 8 PM 

Starting      October 20th to March 23

Lead Volunteer:  Mike Richter c/o: greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.caVOLUNTEERS NEEDED - send an email to greaterdurham.volunteers@specialolympicsontario.ca if interested.

Bowling 5 Pin (Ajax): age 15+  Durham High Rollers 5-Pin Club  Capacity: 45 athletes

Location: Ajax 5 pin Bowling Centre 172 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax

Program Times:  Fridays at 6 PM to 9 PM

Starting:  Sept 5th to May 1

Lead Volunteers: Shelly Chatterton, Doug Boyd, Lori Boyd & Joyce Dunlop c/o: greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.ca

Bowling 10 Pin (Oshawa): age 15+   Oshawa Otters 10-Pin Bowling Capacity: 24 athletes

Location: Leisure Lanes, 728 Champlain Ave, Oshawa

Program Times:  Saturdays 1 PM to 3 PM

Starting: Sept. 6th to April 26

Lead Volunteers: Colette Stuart cjstuart@rogers.com & Cathy Minz  cathyminz@gmail.com

Floor Hockey:  age 15+ Greater Durham Tigers Floor Hockey  Capacity: 20 athletes As this is a very competitive program, new SOO registered athlete Floor Hockey applicants will be contacted to come out and try the program before committing and paying (if there is capacity).

Location: Permit To Be Approved by the DDSB for Michaëlle Jean Public School - 180 Williamson Drive E., Ajax

Program Times:  Tuesdays 6 – 8 PM

Starting: Sept. 30th to March 31

Lead Volunteers: Sean Pearce, Robert Drury, Karen Moloney greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.ca & Emelda Devakumar 

Rhythmic Gymnastics: age 8+   Capacity: 8 athletes per club Location: Permit To Be Approved by the DDSB for Bolton C. Falby P.S., 80 Falby Ct., Ajax

Program Times:

Durham Shooting Stars - RG Club

Thursdays 4:30 pm to 6 pm

Starting: Sept. 11th to May 26       

Durham Shooting Stars - Competitive (RG)

Fridays 4 pm to 5:30 pm

Starting: Sept. 12th to May 27

Lead Volunteer:  Donna Edwards  c/o: greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.caVOLUNTEERS NEEDED - send an email to greaterdurham.volunteers@specialolympicsontario.ca if interested.

Skating Programs

Location: Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Rd, Ajax (Pad 2)

Starting Sept. 14th to March 29

Ajax Rising Stars Learn-To Skate:  All ages  

Capacity: 12 athletes

Program Times:  Sundays 2 pm to 2:45 pm

Lead Volunteers:  Bonnie Morris pbmorris@sympatico.ca & Pat Morris VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - send an email to greaterdurham.volunteers@specialolympicsontario.ca if interested.

Durham Gliders Speed Skating Club:

Capacity: 9 athletes Previous skating experience with Learn to Skate, Figure Skating or ice hockey required. New SOO registered athlete Speed Skating applicants are welcome to come out and try the program before committing and paying.

Program Times:  Sundays 2:45 pm to 4 pm

Lead Volunteer:   Bernie Cappuccitti & Linda Cook avenger_lc@hotmail.com 

Figure Skating: age 12+  

Capacity: 3 athletes* Athletes must register in the SO Portal with this GDSO / SOO registered club: Ajax Skating Club (to be registered to compete in Special Olympics events) *AND* enroll with the generic non-SO club (www.ajaxska"ngclub.ca/ ).  There is a $15. Registration Fee for the SOO/GDSO club. Lead Volunteer:  Tracey Thomas tracey_thomas@rogers.com Swimming (Oshawa):  age 15+  

Durham Dolphins Swim Club  Capacity: 20 athletes

Program Times:  Thursdays 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm 

Starting Sept. 25th to March 26

Location: Donovan Pool, 171 Harmony Rd. S., Oshawa

Lead Volunteer:  Doug Boyd, Anita Vallis & Karen Moloney greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.ca*

Participants MUST know how to swim.  New SOO registered athlete swimming applicants will be contacted to come out and try the program before committing and paying (if there is capacity).

2025/2026 GDSO Fall-Winter Sports Programs Registration Process The registration application process will be available via the SOO Portal starting Friday, August 15th.  Before you start the online process, please read the information below.

1. If you already have a portal account, DO NOT      create a new account  (this is for new athletes to SOO).  This will create delays in processing your application.

2. If you have an account but are not sure how to proceed, there are intrusions available on the GDSO website (see below RE Using the Portal)

3. Only Fully Registered athletes will be approved (Waivers need to be completed)

4. Registering on the portal does NOT guarantee to you a spot in the program.  It puts you on a list for a program

5. Priority is given to “returning athletes” in GDSO programs.  The Team Managers/Head Coaches are responsible for this.  Athletes registered last season should be receiving a “cut-o:” date email to register by, so that athletes put on a waiting list can be approved.

6.  If you have questions regarding a specific program, please connect with the Head Coach/Team Manager (lead volunteers) VIA reply to this email (your email will be forwarded). The GDSO Registrar is responsible to assist Head Coaches/Team Managers with the registration process.

Using the Portal

All applications (registrations) will be done electronically.

Athletes that are 18+ and have guardianship over themselves, can register themselves.

Athletes Under 18 or 18+ but do not have guardianship, must use OR create a family or group home account.

New athletes – use this link https://portal.specialolympics.ca/registration-new Select SO Ontario as the Chapter, and Greater Durham as the Community.

Documents to assist can be found on our GDSO WEBPAGE  https://greaterdurham.specialolympicsontario.ca/

Go to the heading Programs and signing up and select Portal help

A list will appear as noted below (these are set as links)

Portal Overview  This provides an overview for using the portal system

How to Login This is for Athletes/Volunteers that have used the portal in the previous season. If you have not accessed prior to this - refer to Updating/Linking Portal Account.

Forgotten Password If you have a current account (above) and have forgotten your password.  When you submit the request, the system will reply and you will have 1 hour to reset.  Note - it takes a few minutes.  Check your junk mail/Spam for a reply if you do not see one.

Updating / Linking Portal Account This is for Athletes/Volunteers that have not accessed the portal after April 12, 2021.

NOTE:  if you are having difficulties with the Portal, please email the GDSO Registrar at greaterdurham.registrar@specialolympicsontario.ca  with your concern.  The Registrar will assist you with the Portal process when he is available.

To all GDSO registered “in good standing” Athletes and all registered/active Volunteers!! You are invited to our Annual Corn Boil & Dance on Sunday, SEPTEMBER 14th, 4-8 PM at Forest Brook Community Church, 60 Kearney Dr. in Ajax $7.50 per person RSVP by September 6th to greaterdurham.events@specialolympicsontario.ca **Please advise the names of your attendees and if there are any dietary requirements.

**Tickets will not be available at the door. You may pay exact change of $7.50 at the door the day of the event OR At your registered program(s) to a GDSO representative or pay the GDSO Treasurer directly via e-transfer at greaterdurham.treasurer@specialolympicsontario.ca Please include the names of who you are paying for, if a receipt is required and an e-mail address to send the receipt to

Greater Durham Special Olympics Golf Tournament took place on Sunday, July 6th at Mill Run Golf Club in Uxbridge. In total $9,600 was raised. thanks everyone for coming out. our 6 year total raised is $64,600 

Thank you to the many volunteers who generously gave of their time all day on Saturday to make our track and field meet a success. It was a hot one but you all hung in there and deserve a big high five.