Hillsburgh athlete headed to Particular Olympics World Video games

GUELPH – Hillsburgh native Jennifer Allen is ready to compete within the Particular Olympics World Video games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Come March, Allen, 36, will probably be competing in 10-pin bowling on the world competitors. She is the primary Guelph/Wellington athlete to make the world championships within the sport.

In truth, Allen and observe and discipline athlete Eva Bell of Guelph are the primary ever Guelph/Wellington Particular Olympians to compete in particular person sports activities on the occasion.

“We have now by no means had particular person athletes get this far,” stated coach Lori Savage. “Really an accomplishment for all of us as coaches and athletes. We have now nice sponsors which have helped the athletes attain their goals.”

The video games will contain 7,000 athletes from 177 international locations in 24 completely different sports activities,  in addition to 2,500 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.

Savage has been teaching Allen in numerous sports activities since 2013.

“She is a devoted athlete who’s such a pleasure to teach,” Savage stated.

“We’re very happy with Jennifer’s accomplishments.”

She added, “Jennifer trains laborious and all the time cheers on her teammates and her opponents. I’m so glad to be a part of her success and know she is going to do her finest whereas having fun with the expertise of representing Canada.”

Allen, who grew up in Hillsburgh and now lives in Guelph, began taking part in Particular Olympics by means of college when she was 14 years outdated.

“They knew that she preferred sports activities,” stated Allen’s mother Donna.

Her first Particular Olympics sport was basketball, however through the years Allen has participated in flooring hockey, observe and discipline, swimming and baseball.

“I simply have enjoyable,” Allen stated. “I meet new folks.”

This spring was the primary time Allen had ever been to a Nationwide Summer season Video games. She competed in Summerside, PEI from Could 14 to twenty, 2018, and introduced dwelling three gold medals within the doubles, singles and division general bowling occasions. She additionally gained a silver medal in crew bowling, through which 4 athletes compete collectively.

“Jennifer certified for the worlds by her efficiency (on the nationwide occasion),” Savage stated.

When Allen discovered she can be competing within the World Video games, she stated, “I used to be excited. I can’t wait to go.”

Main as much as her March 7 departure for Abu Dhabi, Allen is targeted on preparations.

“I’m doing loads of coaching,” she stated. “Going to the health club to do train (weight lifting) and bowling.”

And never all lanes are created equal. Earlier than every event, Allen practices on every lane to find out how finest to play.

“It takes her an entire sport to determine the place she likes to face,” Donna stated.

In Guelph/Wellington Allen is coached by Savage and Kathy McKenzie from Woodlawn Bowling Centre, however on the World Video games she will probably be assigned a distinct coach.

“She’s going to be good,” Allen stated, noting she has already met her World Video games coach.

When she arrives in Abu Dhabi, Allen may have a couple of days earlier than the competitors  begins. The video games formally run from March 14 to 21.

Allen will probably be competing within the crew, doubles and singles 10-pin bowling competitors. All through the video games, Donna and her daughter may have time to tour collectively.

“We’re going to get her on a camel trip, I’m hoping,” Donna stated. “That’s the very first thing we’re going to do.”

The athletes are absolutely funded to signify Canada on the Particular Olympics World Video games. Nevertheless, anybody wishing to assist the athletes can donate to Particular Olympics Guelph/Wellington at www.specialolympicsguelph.com.

“I’m excited,” Allen stated of the video games. “I’m counting the months down.”