Kincardine skater named to Special Olympics training squad for worlds in 2023

Brooke Thomas (above) of Kincardine has been named to the Team Canada training squad for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia, next January.

She and fellow figure skater, Rosie Laidler, also of Kincardine, will join coach Nicole Handy-Richardson in training for a chance to represent Canada at the worlds.

Earning a spot on the training squad is a significant achievement. All 156 members have put in years of hard work at weekly programs and training, progressed through regional and provincial/territorial competitions, and, ultimately, qualified through their performance at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay in 2020.

The National Team Program (NTP) – a formal approach to training and preparing the Team Canada squad – is already under way, virtually. While this year’s NTP will look different amid COVID-19 restrictions and safety protocols, Special Olympics Canada is committed to ensuring this year’s training squad has the same opportunities that were available to previous athletes, coaches and mission staff.

Training squad athletes started connecting with their coaches and continue to put in the hard work – with training, nutrition and mental preparation – to perform at their best on the world stage.

Congratulations Brooke and Rosie!