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CBU Students and Alumni Step Up for 2025 Unama’ki – Cape Breton motionball

Now in its fifth year, 2025 Unama鈥檏i – Cape Breton motionball Marathon of Sport returns on Saturday, June 21, at the Ness Timmons Soccer Field. With 28 teams and more than 400 participants expected, this high-energy, inclusive event brings together students, athletes and 福利免费在线看 members for a day of connection, celebration and support for Special Olympics Canada.

What makes motionball especially meaningful to CBU is the strong presence of students, alumni and employees, many of whom have volunteered in the past and returned this year with even greater involvement. Among many volunteers, Amy Richardson, a Bachelor of Arts alumna and current Bachelor of Social Work student, has entered a team with her classmates. 鈥淭he values of the Social Work program are focused on different ways of learning, relearning and seeing the world through multiple perspectives, and entering a motionball team seemed like a no-brainer,鈥� Amy says. 鈥淲e want to help further promote education and awareness surrounding the Special Olympics and Canadians with different abilities to ensure that everyone is safe, respected and included.鈥�

For Amy, the event is extra special because her younger brother is attending as an athlete for the third year in a row. 鈥淓very year, he鈥檚 always excited for this day to come,鈥� shares Amy. 鈥淗e has made so many great connections with his teammates and other athletes over the years, it鈥檚 like him getting back together with friends after not seeing them for a while.鈥�

For Lauren MacDougall, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemistry student, motionball represents an opportunity to stay connected with campus life while promoting inclusion through something fun and engaging. For the past two years, Lauren has created a team of friends from the Chemistry program. 鈥淭he experience was so memorable for everyone that continuing our involvement this year felt like an easy decision,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to connect my CBU Chemistry crew with such an important cause.鈥�

Lauren has also participated in motionballU events at Dalhousie University and even has a friendly competition with friends to see who can raise the most money for the cause. 鈥淟ast summer, I approached each chemistry faculty member to ask if they would consider donating, and every one of them said yes without hesitation,鈥� she shares. 鈥淭hat kind of support truly speaks volumes about the sense of 福利免费在线看 we have at CBU.鈥�

Julia MacIsaac, a two-time CBU alumna with a BSc in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Education (BEd), has entered a team full of fellow teachers from her BEd class. 鈥淭his not only brings awareness and raises money for a great cause, but also allows us to stay involved with our 福利免费在线看,鈥� she shares.

Julia believes the experience can help the team create a more inclusive space for everyone. 鈥渕otionball promotes inclusivity and equity and creates a supportive environment, and these factors play a part in what we aspire to bring to our classrooms as future teachers,鈥� she says. 鈥淏y donating and taking part in motionball, we are creating an inclusive environment and supporting Special Olympic athletes to have the chance to participate in the sports they enjoy, while engaging in a fun day full of friendly mini games.鈥�

With four years of coaching experience for various Cape Breton Special Olympics sports, including track and field, snowshoeing and basketball, Chloe Kerr is also no stranger to motionball. Currently in her final year of a Nursing degree, Chloe is excited to enter a team once again. 鈥淏eing a part of something as remarkable as motionball is an amazing incentive to bring more life into the 福利免费在线看,鈥� she shares. 鈥淚t also brings a sense of belonging and inclusion, both on and off the playing field.鈥�

Through Special Olympics and motionball, Chloe has established lifelong connections and friendships that have shaped her life. 鈥淓very athlete I鈥檝e met has brought so much more meaning into my world,鈥� she adds. 鈥渕otionball is an event I look forward to participating in each year, and I am thrilled to be participating alongside my classmates and these wonderful athletes!鈥�

At the core of this exciting day is Ethan Merlin, a BEd alumnus, middle school math teacher and Unama鈥檏i-Cape Breton motionball鈥檚 Event Director. Growing up with a neighbour who has Down Syndrome, Ethan learned early on what real joy and inclusion look like, and he carries that lesson into everything he does. 鈥渕otionball has quickly become one of the most incredible parts of my life,鈥� he shares. 鈥淭o be in the position where I can bring hundreds of 福利免费在线看 members to spend the day with my favourite people, raising funds and awareness for something so dear to my heart, is truly a blessing.鈥�

For Ethan, the growing love and support are what bring him back year after year. 鈥淏eing part of the motionball family has shown me the importance of support and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed,鈥� he adds. 鈥淭hanks to my neighbour, I was introduced to the biggest family on the Island, and we鈥檙e always looking to welcome more members. I invite you all to come out and be a part of it.鈥�

2025 Unama鈥檏i – Cape Breton motionball Marathon of Sport takes place on Saturday, June 21, at the Ness Timmons Soccer Field. For more information on the event, please visit or email capebreton@motionball.com.