Premier Performers with Disabilities to Open the 2025 Ontario Parasport Games
Thorold, May 22, 2025 - With an exceptional line-up of top-tier presenters and performers with disabilities, the Opening Ceremony will kick-off Niagara’s 2025 Ontario Parasport Games at Canada Games Park in Thorold on May 30th at 7:00 p.m.
For the first time in the 44-year-history of the Ontario Parasport Games, it is the Niagara Region that welcomes athletes, managers, coaches, officials, and volunteers to this prestigious provincial event.
Sport Niagara, the not-for-profit organization established to carry on the sport legacy from the Niagara-hosted 2022 Canada Games, was selected as the host of 2025 Ontario Parasport Games.
“As a 12-time participant in the Ontario Parasport Games, it’s been a tremendous honour to lead the Steering Committee for these Games with includes so much lived-experience and expertise from the Niagara Region’s disability community,” says three-time Paralympian and Niagara resident Jeff Tiessen. “The Opening Ceremony is no exception, with an exclusive ensemble of extraordinary talent from the disability community, a first for these Games.”
The Niagara 2025 Ontario Parasport Games was made possible with funding and support from the Government of Ontario and Sport Niagara. The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, will bring well wishes from The Province to the 250+ athletes who will parade into the Opening Ceremony.
“The Ontario Parasport Games is a celebration of athletic excellence, resilience and community,” notes Minister Lumsden. “I am proud to support an event that not only showcases the incredible talents of athletes with disabilities but also highlights the power of inclusion and determination. Congratulations to Sport Niagara for hosting these historic Games and to all the athletes.”
The Opening Ceremony is a free show open to the public.
Opening Ceremony Run-of-Show
Emcee: Rob Snoek, PLY
A 2024 Canadian Screen Awards winner for News, Entertainment and Sports, Snoek received the Best Sports Play-by-Play Announcer for his work with the CBC, namely at the Paralympic and Olympic Games. Prior to his career behind the microphone, Snoek was a three-time Paralympian, a below-the-knee amputee sprinter at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Summer Paralympic Games. He is an inductee in the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame.
Keynote Presenter: Kevin Rempel, PLY
Rempel has surmounted incredible life-challenges to reach the Paralympic podium, now bringing his powerful message of hope and resilience to audiences across the country through his speaking and writing. Rempel is a 2013 World Champion and 2014 Sochi Paralympic bronze medalist in para ice hockey with an incredible story of overcoming adversity.
Performer: Simone Soman
Simone Soman has been singing all her life, performing at a young age. Before appearing on Canada’s Got Talent, where her performance received a standing ovation from the judges and audience alike, Soman’s musical career has focused primarily on performances across local venues, festivals and awards shows. Born blind, Soman has a degree in Music with a focus on jazz and contemporary singing and songwriting.
Performer: Strong Water Women
A singing and drumming Collective, the Strong Water Women is an Indigenous-led group with members across the Niagara Region. Calling the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre home, the group utilizes drumming to achieve wellness and balance with an emphasis on their Original Teachings: Truth, Love, Honesty, Wisdom, Respect, Bravery and Humility. They were Pride Niagara’s “Performance of the Year” award winners in 2017 and 2022.
Performer: CJ Janzen
CJ Janzen (xe/xym/xer) is an award-winning speaker, singer and composer who, though limited by chronic illness, lives life to the fullest. Known as The Singing Speaker, Janzen injects songs into xer speeches for impact, levity, and mostly because it brings her joy! Janzen was a Women Changing the World award finalist in 2025.
Performer: Momentum Choir
Led by Mendelt Hoekstra, Executive and Artistic Director, the Momentum Choir will open the Ceremony with the singing of O Canada. Niagara’s Momentum Choir is a unique professional ensemble, consisting exclusively of adult artists living with a physical, emotional or intellectual disability. The Momentum Choir nurtures the talents of unique artists by providing an opportunity to follow the motto: Belong. Believe. Inspire.
Performer: Bust a Move Dance (BAMD)
Led by dance company founder Ali Philips, BAMD is centered on fun, inclusive dance that prioritizes building relationships with people with disabilities. Now in its 15th year of operation, BAMD operates out of Brisbane, Australia, and Toronto, with the exciting vision of offering teachers worldwide the certification to offer inclusive classes for kids, teens and adults with disabilities.
For the 2025 Ontario Parasport Games competition schedule visit:
https://niagara2025ontarioparasportgames.ca/en/schedule
Photos Available Upon Request.
Media Contacts:
Phoebe Miksic,
Games Communications:
Jeff Tiessen, Chair, Games Steering Committee: Tel: (905) 945-1911;
E:
About the 2025 Ontario Parasport Games
The Ontario Parasport Games were first delivered in 1975 by the City of Cambridge. The Games have grown to 10+ sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, sitting volleyball, wheelchair tennis, paragolf and more. The last Ontario Parasport Games were held in Durham in 2023. The 2025 Games in Niagara is the 44th edition of the prestigious provincial event for Ontario athletes with a disability.