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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 20, 2009 - 29 Speed skater MacHattie a finalist in national video competition By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The three MacHattie boys all compete in speed skating, but there's little doubt which of them is the most competitive. "Scott is, by far," Ross MacHattie says of his oldest son. Scott MacHattie has been active in many sports -- track and field, soccer, figure skating and basketball -- and has always been willing to try something new. So when his mom Carla saw an Oakville Speed Skating Club notice saying it was hosting a Special Olympics session, she thought her son would enjoy it. She was right. Scott, who "Our main objective has Down Syndrome, imme- was to open up eyes diately took to the sport and so people could see now lists it as his favourite. He's been successful, too, the capability of kids qualifying for the Ontario with special needs." Special Olympics winter Ross MacHattie games. "It takes him a little longer to develop his skills," said Ross MacHattie, "but it's his competitiveness that drives him to learn the skills." Now Scott's in a different kind of competition. His family's video has been chosen as one of 16 finalists for the ING Speed Skating Challenge, a national contest to find the best speed skating story in Canada. The finalists were chosen by a group of judges that included Olympic and world champion speed skaters Catriona Le May Doan, Jeremy Wotherspoon and Charles Hamelin. The McHatties' video focuses on how the sport is inclusive, using their family as an example. Scott's brothers, Quinn and Evan, followed him into the sport and Ross is now helping as a coach and volunteer. The focus is on 16-year-old Scott, how he has been welcomed by the Oakville club and how it has helped him suc- ceed. "Our main objective was to open up eyes so people could see the capability of kids with special needs," said Ross MacHattie. "It's easy to see their limitations but it's harder to see their achievements and get the recognition of what is possible." MacHattie believes the video, having made the final 16, has already achieved that goal. It is posted on www.INGspeedskatingchallenge.com as one of the 16 finalists. "The last meet I was at, seven or eight people who had seen the video told me how much they enjoyed it," said Oakville Speed Skating Club president Mark O'Donnell. Even the subject of the video competing against McHattie in the opening round, Newmarket Speed Skating Club head coach Paula McConvey, told O'Donnell that she voted for Scott's video. There will be four rounds of online voting to determine a winner, with the opening round closing on Sunday. The winner receives a new pair of speed skates, a Canon digital camera, a Timex Ironman Triathlon digital heart rate monitor and a Cheerios prize package. The MacHatties started planning their video in October and began filming segments in November, ending up with "enough footage for a feature film," says Ross MacHattie. "We have all kinds of wonderful material. We'll have to do an outtakes screening for the club at the end of the year." With a $5,000 donation going to the winner's home club, there could be plenty of popcorn for everyone. FEEL-GOOD STORY: Oakville Speed Skating Club member Scott MacHattie is one of 16 finalists in the ING Speed Skating Challenge, a national contest to find the best speed skating story in Canada. MacHattie joined the club's Special Olympics program several years ago and now lists speed skating as his favourite sport. PHOTO BY MICHAEL IVANIN/ OAKVILLE BEAVER BURLINGTON MINOR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION www.burlingtonminorfootball.ca THE BEST FOOTBALL IN HALTON! Proud Supporter of Canadian Football! Summer Varsity, JV & Peewee Stampeders (Ages 13-20) (To date, our summer program has registrants from 44 different Burlington, Oakville and surrounding area Schools) Spring Flag (Ages 6-16) Don't be disappointed, register for Flag now! Spots are limited (especially in Atom, Born in 1998/1997) INSTALL NOW AND ENJOY FOR TWO WINTERS (O.A.C.) Fall House League Tackle (Ages 6-14) Fall Stampeders (Ages 9-14) In-Person Registration Dates: Saturday, February 21 - 10:00 - 3:00 Sunday, February 22 - 10:00 - 3:00 Place: Burlington Senior's Centre (Freeman Room) 2285 New Street (in Central Park) Burlington, ON, L7R 1J4 All of our programs are open to Boys and Girls! No Experience Necessary! All Equipment Provided except for Football Cleats! Cash, Credit Cards and Cheques Accepted If you are new to B.M.F.A., please bring proof of age Fall Peewee Stampeders - Meet the Coaches/Information/Registration Night: Tues. 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