ParaSport athlete nominated by hockey coach

Julian Caverley is very excited to be included in the Canada Summer Games Torch Relay, as it makes its way through
Niagara-on-the-Lake this Saturday.

The graduate of Holy Cross Secondary School in St. Catharines, an enthusiastic member of a ParaSport sledge hockey team, said he didn’t know he’d been nominated to carry the torch until he was notified he’d been chosen to participate in the NOTL portion of the relay.

He will take the torch from Ken and Emily Seibel by the St Davids Veterinary Clinic on Four Mile Creek Road, and carry it in his power wheelchair to the intersection of Creek Road and Line 9, where he will hand it off to Carter Simpson.

He expects to be accompanied by his parents, possibly some friends, and one of his high school teachers who plans to join him.

Caverley says he loves being active in many sports, including wheelchair basketball, bocce ball, and volleyball, which is played sitting the ground. This winter he discovered his passion for hockey, joining the new Niagara Sledge Hockey League.

He explains he plays on a sled, steering it right or left as he pushes it forward to stay balanced, otherwise it tips over.

He learned recently it was his hockey coach, Keven Waters, a program and event coordinator with ParaSport Ontario, who nominated him for the torch relay.

The 20-year-old is looking forward to starting in Niagara College’s CICE (Community Integration through Cooperative Education) in September. The Niagara College program is designed to provide individuals with disabilities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their employability, academic and social skills.

Caverley says he loves taking photos, and would like to get into photography when he’s finished Niagara College.

He’s also really looking forward to rejoining his teammates in St. Catharines for his second season with the Niagara Sledge Hockey League, now that he has the hang of playing on ice.

“It’s good to get as many points as you can, or just have fun,” says Caverley about the sport. “In my case, I just want to have fun.”

The torch relay will begin this Saturday, July 30, at Queenston Heights Park with a rally at 9 a.m. The relay starts at 10 a.m. and finishes at the Meridian Credit Union Arena.