APPLY HERE by March 16th, 2025

*note this was extended from Feb 23, 2025​

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The Ontario Weightlifting Association is thrilled to announce the reestablishment of our Gender Equity Committee, a vital step in our mission to create meaningful change in the world of weightlifting!

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This is an incredible opportunity to build on the important work of our past committee and to further our commitment to inclusivity and fairness in our sport.

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We are seeking five passionate volunteers for a 2-year term who are eager to make a difference and help shape the future of weightlifting in Ontario. If you’re ready to dig in deep and lend your perspective on gender equity over the next two years, we want to hear from you. Together, we can create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Join us in this journey towards meaningful change!

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Gender Committee member duties include but are not limited to;

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• Aid in developing gender equity policy for OWA

• Evaluate gender equity in how OWA currently delivers programs, policies and materials

• Promote awareness and provide education on gender equity

• Report at AGM on committee work

• Attending meetings - schedule TBD

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Committee Term Dates: March 31, 2025 - March 31, 2027

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If you are interested in being a part of the Gender Equity Committee, please submit your interest at the link above by February 23, 2025.

The current Terms of Reference for the Gender Equity Committee can be found here.

We would like to share that Nic Koo, who has served as Ontario's Senior Team Leader for the past two years, has recently accepted a position outside Ontario and will no longer be able to continue in this role. Nic has been instrumental in transforming the Team Leader position into a high-performance management role, elevating its impact and importance in supporting our athletes and programs.

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We want to sincerely thank Nic for his dedication and leadership over the past two years. His efforts have greatly supported our athletes and organization, and his impact will be felt for years to come.

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2023 Ontario Games - Barry's Bay, Ontario

2023 Canadian Senior Championships - Scarborough, Ontario

2022 Canadian Senior Championships - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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With the Canadian Senior National Championships fast approaching, we are now accepting applications for a new Team Leader to guide Ontario's Senior Team this year. Interested candidates can find more details on how to apply in the coming days.

Thank you again, Nic, for everything you’ve done for Team Ontario. We wish you all the best in your exciting new role!

OWA is pleased to confirm the event hosts for 2025. These venues were selected by OWA membership through online voting prior to the AGM.

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Elite Competitions

• 2025 Ontario Championships – Variety Village, Scarborough, November 2025

• 2025 Youth/Junior Ontario Championships – Landmark x Justlift, Ottawa, December 2025

• 2025 WinterLift –Burlington Barbell Club, Burlington, March 2025

• 2025 Ontario Classic  –Burlington Barbell Club, Burlington, September 2025

• 2025 Ontario Masters Championships (SDC) -Burlington Barbell Club, Burlington, April 2025

Training Camps

• Combined Junior/Senior - Variety Village Weightlifting Club, Scarborough, Date TBD

• Master - Burlington Barbell Club, Burlington, Date TBD

The Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) on behalf of the Canadian Olympic Committee is seeking athlete participation in a focus group on the topic of racial equity and inclusivity. 

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• Who? Aspiring, current or retired competitive athletes who identify as racialized in any sport. Must be 18 years old or older. 

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• What? The focus group discussions will cover the barriers or challenges that athletes have faced throughout their athletic careers, the factors that have contributed to their success, and what sport organizations can do to better support them.

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• When? Focus groups will be scheduled between August and September 2024, specific dates to be communicated to interested participants. Each 60- to 90-minute focus group will be hosted virtually. Eligible athletes will be financially compensated for participation in focus groups.

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For more information or to register to participate contact Jennifer Coletti at jcoletti@sirc.ca with the subject line "REISS Focus Group Participant" and include your full name, sport and organizational affiliation in the body of the email.

TEAM ONTARIO TEAM LEADERS
Nicholas Koo
Nichole Lee

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TEAM ONTARIO HEAD COACHES
Spencer Moorman
Greg Chin

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GENERAL COACHES
Alex Varbanov
Jackson Levine
Abdallah Alsebaai
Larry Robinson
Dalas Santavy
Nancy Kozorezova
Nikolay Varbanov
Kaylee Wedge

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GUEST COACH
Blanco  Alblanco

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TEAM ONTARIO TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
Linda Rosario-Earnshaw
Irina Ivanova

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TEAM ONTARIO ATHLETES
Amanda Braddock 49
Abigail Chandonnet 55
Hannah Gula 59
Taylor Findlay 59
Kaylee Wedge 64
Monica Knowlton 64
Katrina Wright 64
Ashley Werner 64
Danielle Abusow 71
Kennedy Harding 71
Melissa Chong 71
Shania Bedward 76
Maya Laylor 81
Naza Grant 87
Julia Ryan 87
Lexis Ross 87
Jiwon Lee 73
Feras Sharaf Eldin 73
Kody Taylor 81
Mike Laporte 81
Matthew Moscuzza 81
John Nardi 81
Jordan Tam 89
Nicolas Munro 96
Boady Santavy 96
Noah Santavy 102
Patrick Boileau 109

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TEAM ONTARIO WILD CARD
Marlowe Robinson
Andrew Baker
 

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-Mike mike@onweightlifting.ca

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We're excited to share some important updates and opportunities within the Ontario weightlifting community.

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Competition Development Course at Varbanov School of Weightlifting: We're hosting the Competition Development Course at Varbanov School of Weightlifting, on May 11th and 12th. This course is crucial for those aspiring to coach events such as the upcoming Junior or National Senior Championships. If you're not yet certified, or if you have athletes who are potentially 1-2 years away from qualifying, now is the time to start your certification journey. Reach out to competition@onweightlifting.ca for more details.

Junior Team Ontario Registration: For athletes who have achieved the Junior national standard and participated in the Ontario Junior Provincial Championships, registration for Team Ontario is now open. You can proactively register on our website or wait for a team leader to reach out to you.

Updated Qualifying Standards: We've updated our qualifying standards page and are in the process of revising the competition levels required for our elite events. It's important to note that the path to elite weightlifting in Ontario will need to include participation in competitions that adhere to doping control measures. We understand that logistically, it's not always possible to participate in a competition subject to doping control, and we're exploring the expansion of doping control to club competitions, provided they meet certain basic requirements.

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-Mike mike@onweightlifting.ca

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It's with heavy regret that I must announce the board has decided to join a handful of other sports and withdraw from the 2024 Ontario Winter Games in Thunder Bay. Recognizing the current difficulties, the OWG Committee has emphasized that this decision will not affect any sport's participation in future events and remains committed to continuing the partnership with Weightlifting.

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This decision was not made lightly. After careful consideration and analysis, we have concluded that the unique contractual liabilities associated with Thunder Bay, combined with the requirement to commit to participation numbers without being able to fully inform our athletes and coaches about significant cost increases (from $525 to $725), have pushed our risk-to-benefit ratio too high. Weightlifting is typically a financially inclusive sport and last-minute increases from suppliers to the Games committee left us and many other sports without an opportunity to budget and fundraise.

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We understand this news is disappointing, especially for our athletes who have been training hard and looking forward to competing. The opportunity to showcase your skills and hard work at such an event is invaluable, and, regrettably, this year's circumstances prevent us from participating.

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Please know that we are committed to finding alternative opportunities for our athletes to compete and showcase their talents. We will keep you updated on any developments in this regard.

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We appreciate your understanding. Our primary concern has always been and will continue to be, transparency, fiscal balance, and development of our athletes and the sport of weightlifting in Ontario.

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Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have suggestions for organizing an alternative event, or if you have any further inquiries.

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-Mike mike@onweightlifting.ca

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Deadline: Oct 6, 2023

APPLY HERE FOR ALL POSITIONS AND BIDS

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TEAM DEVELOPMENT LEADER

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We are pleased to announce a significant change in our approach to athlete development. Formerly called Team Leader the Team Development Leader will be a year-round position. This shift will streamline our efforts and provide consistent guidance and support to our athletes. We believe that this change will enhance our overall athlete development program.

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Some applicable experiences may include, but are not limited to:

-Coaching Experience
-Teaching Experience
-Participation/Technical Experience
-Leadership and Communication Skills
-First Aid/CPR/AED Certifications
-Team Management
-Conflict Resolution
-Sportsmanship and Ethics

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Team Leader responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

-Communication with Team Ontario
-Coordination of athlete and coach submissions
-Traveling with Team Ontario (OWA subsidy)
-On-site leadership
-Problem-solving
-Ensuring any required training is complete and forms management.

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Please note this position requires a police check.

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Ideally, the team leaders attend all their events, but we understand the time constraints. The mandatory events are noted below.

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Senior team leaders:

Senior Training Camp April 12th-14th, 2024 
Ontario Provincial Championships November 11th-12th,  2023
National Senior Championships May 23rd - 25th, 2023 *REQUIRED

Junior team leaders:

Junior Training Camp May 3rd-5th, 2024
Ontario Winter Games Feb 16-17, 2023 *REQUIRED
Ontario Provincial Championships Dec 9th, 2023
National Junior Championships Beginning of June, 2024 *REQUIRED

SOCIAL MEDIA ADMINISTRATOR

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The Ontario Weightlifting Association (OWA) is in search of two dedicated volunteers to oversee our social media presence. These individuals will work together to effectively promote and market weightlifting and the OWA. Their primary responsibilities will include engaging, celebrating, and communicating with OWA members.

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Key Responsibilities:

-Posting competition updates and news on our website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
-Providing coverage of OWA athletes during OWA Club Challenge periods (e.g., sharing athletes' videos, stories, photos, and posting results)
-Managing direct/private messages 
-Monitoring account comments and alerting the board of directors if  violations occur
-Collaborating with Social Media Administrators and OWA Administrators
-Attend planning and strategy meetings as required

Join us in spreading the excitement of weightlifting across Ontario!

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TRAINING CAMP BIDS

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The Ontario Weightlifting Association (OWA) is seeking suitable hosts for our upcoming training camps. We invite interested venues to submit their bids for consideration. Our training camps require specific amenities, including access to KG weights, sufficient space, and reasonable pricing. 

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Key Requirements:

1. KG Weights: The venue must provide access to a variety of KG weights suitable for weightlifting training.
2. Adequate Space: The facility should offer ample room to accommodate our athletes and trainers during training sessions.
3. Reasonable Pricing: Bids should reflect competitive and reasonable pricing for hosting our training camps.
4. Proximity to Amenities: The chosen venue should be conveniently located near restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels to ensure the comfort and convenience of our participants.

If your venue meets these requirements and you are interested in hosting an OWA training camp, please submit your bid by October 6th. Bids should include details of your facility, pricing structure, and any additional services or amenities you can offer.

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Senior Training Camp - April 12th-14th, 2024
Junior Training Camp - May 3rd-5th, 2024
Masters Training Camp - March 8th-10th, 2024

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Deadline: Oct 6, 2023

APPLY HERE FOR ALL POSITIONS AND BIDS

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Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie (WCH) and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s weightlifting team nominated to compete at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, including 3 athletes from Ontario.

The Team Canada weightlifting team for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games is:

Athletes

Amanda Braddock (Brampton, Ont. ) - W 49kg

Maude Charron (Rimouski, Que.) - W 59kg

Maya Laylor (Toronto, Ont.) - W 81kg

Nicolas Vachon (Sainte-Hippolyte, Que.) - M 73kg

Alex Bellemarre (La Sarre, Que.) - M 89kg

Noah Santavy (Sarnia, Ont. ) - M 102kg

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Additionally, Ontario Technical Official Linda Rosario-Earnshaw is also selected to officiate at these Games.

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Congratulations to all on selection to the 2023 Pan American Games!

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Read the full press release here: EN / FR

This is an update to all coaches and athletes in Ontario. Our qualifying standards have been updated.

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The qualification period for the Ontario Senior Provincial Championships will now be the following:

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May 19th, 2023 - October 14th, 2023.

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This update now includes Richard Borden Memorial in Guelph which will take place on October 14th.

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As a reminder as well, the qualification period for the 2024 Winter lift is the following:

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September 16th, 2023 - February 25th, 2024.

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Thank you,

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Ontario Weightlifting Association

To all members of the  Ontario Weightlifting Association, 

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We want to address a critical aspect of our organization that requires our attention – the rising costs associated with competition hosting and organization.

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We've observed a noticeable increase in competition hosting costs across our sport. Post-COVID the OWA has been absorbing these costs, however, we can no longer maintain that line of support without doing irreparable damage to our bottom line. These escalating costs can stem from various factors, such as increased gas and hotels for our administration and technical officials, lower athlete participation, equipment maintenance, and low levels of technical officials at the host level. To combat these challenges we raised our fee to hosts, which in turn, will increase the cost of athlete participation.

In light of the above, we believe the cost of participating is still reasonable in comparison to other sports. For example, competitions hosted by the OPA cost 125$-185$, USAW 95-130$ for comparable competitions, and 145-175$ for elite national level competitions.

With all of that said, we want to thank you for your dedication and hard work in developing Olympic Weightlifting in Ontario.

Together, we will continue to drive our organization's success even in the face of challenges.

Sincerely, 

Ontario Weightlifting Association

We have some Ontario Athletes who have been selected to represent Team Canada at the 2023 Commonwealth Championships in Delhi, India. Their outstanding work ethic and perseverance deserves recognition, and we wish them the best in the upcoming Championships! These athletes are:

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Senior

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Hannah Gula 59 kg

Monica Knowlton 64 kg

Noah Santavy 102 kg

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Youth/Junior

Naza Grant 81+ Youth

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There have been a number of athletes who have been selected to represent Team Canada at the 2023 Grand Prix 1 in Havana, Cuba, spanning from June 8th - June 18th. These athletes have worked hard for this opportunity, and all of Ontario will be cheering for you! These athletes are:

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Amanda Braddock 49 kg

Megan Trupp 71 kg

Shania Bedward 76 kg

Maya Laylor 81 kg

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Brayan Ibanez 81 kg

Xavier Luisgnan 96 kg

Boady Santavy 96 kg

Ontario has 2 athletes who are going to compete at the 2023 Junior Pan-American Championships. We wish you the best of luck and great success in the competition!

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Feras Sharaf Eldin

Category: M67

Session: May 11, 2023 at 5 pm

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Xavier Lusignan

Category: M96

Session: May 14th, 2023 at 3 pm

Congratulations to all of the Ontario Athletes who have competed at the 2023 IWF Youth World Championships in Albania, and a great performance at the competition. Here are the results from the participating athletes. Specific results can be found on the international competition results page.

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Athlete Results

Natalie Cerna, 181 Total, 9th Place

Brayan Ibanez, 298 Total, 5th Place

Congratulations to all of the Ontario Athletes who have competed at the IWF 2023 Pan American Championships in Argentina. Your hard work, perseverance and determination is to be celebrated and be proud of! Here are the results from the participating athletes. Specific results can be found on the international competition results page.

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Athlete Results

Megan Trupp - 216 Total, 9th Place

Shania Bedward - 221 Total, 5th Place

Maya Laylor - 238 Total, 7th Place

Boady Santavy - Weighed in for Paris 2024

Noah Santavy - 341 Total, 4th Place

This is a call out to any members looking to join the Gender Equity Committee, and to continue previous members work. Deadline to apply for the Committee is March 26th.

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For more information, please refer to the documents below

Gender Equity Committee Call out

Gender Equity Committee TOR

This is information regarding Technical Officials who are looking to submit their name for Category 1 or Category 2 certification.

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Candidates should be active as an official and be a current member of the OWA as stated in the TCRR.

The deadline for submission will be March 19, 2023

Names will be submitted to WCH by March 20, 2023.

Acceptance to the opportunity to be tested will be determined by WCH.

Examination opportunities will only be offered at Senior or Junior Nationals.

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Refer to the following pages on the website:

Officials' Certification Pathway

IWF Technical and Competition Rules & Regulation 

OWA Technical and Competition Rules

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For more information please contact linda@onweightlifting

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Below is the team that was selected for the Ontario Winter Games, best of luck at the competition!

Ontario Winter Games 2023

Competition Date - Friday February 10, 2023

Competition Venue - Madawaska Valley High School, 341 John Street, Barry's Bay, Ontario

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OWA/OWG Team

Team Leaders

Nicholas Koo

Kristin Parsons

Coaches

Abdallah Alsebaai

Larry Robinson

Hani Kanama

Logan Baker

Gary Lewis

Trevor Cottrell

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Males Athletes

Yehea Alsebaai 

Brayan Ibanez

Joshua MacLachlan

Asher Edgson

Graeme May

Brady Killoran

Lucas Possamai

Ethan Yuke

Griffin Lamarche

Ryker Pigden

Nathan Westergaard

Theo Karagounis

Vito Vesia

Anderson Roth

Maddox Couperthwaite

Female Athletes

Anna Moore

Annalise Chapman

Shoshanna Rogan

Mckenna Van Luven

Chloe Parsons

Abby Champagne

Mercedes Villagonzalo

Calista MacLean

Natalie Cerna

Naza Grant

Madalyn Tyrer

Zoe McKay

Dominique Weatherup

Cassandra Karagounis

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Technical Officials

Elizabeth MacLachlan

Francois Gravelle

Dimitrije Mancic

Daniel Robitaille

Sarah Condon

Mike Miller

PSO 

Linda Rosario-Earnshaw

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Congratulations to all of the following Ontario athletes representing Canada who competed at the 2022 World Championships in Bogota!

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Megan Trupp W71 205 Total

Shania Bedward W76 229 Total

Maya Laylor W81 230 Total

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Congratulations to all of the following Master's Athletes who competed at the 2022 World Masters Championships!

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Krystal Lavechia W35/55

Virginia Ki W35/71

Joanne Jefferey W40/49 Silver

Pamela Warner W40/35 Silver

Jordan Robertson W40/64

Connie Di Pierro W40/76

Laura Knudsen W40/76

Jay Rayes W40/87

Dannielle Pirrie W45/81

Brenda Gyarmati W50/59

Marife ' Villagonzolo W50/71 Silver

Carol Barazzuol W50/76

Molly Zirkle W55/59 Bronze

Sylvie Guenette W55/64

Lisa Burk W55/76

Madeline Waterfield W55/76

Karen Lander W65/64 Bronze

Judy Quinn W70/76 Gold

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James Johnson M40/102

John Florento M40/61 Gold

Mohan Sandu M45/102

Jason Gauthier M45/73

Tim Sanderson Silver

James Pineault M55/96

Chris Smith M60/81 Bronze

The OWA is looking for technical officials to volunteer at the Ontario Winter Games 2023.

Participation at this prestigious event will ensure a well-run competition for our elite youth and junior athletes.  Technical officials are integral and are the backbone to any weightlifting meet.

Opening ceremonies will be on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Competition will be on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Venue – Madawaska Valley High School, Barry’s Bay, Ontario

Accommodations will be provided by the Ontario Winter Games Committee.

The OWA greatly appreciates your effort to ensure that this competition is a great and continued success.

Please send your name to linda@onweightlifting.ca

Best of Luck to Ontario Athletes, Nick Munro and Noah Santavy, as they compete this weekend at the 2022 North American Open Finals in Atlanta, Georgia. Times for these athletes are posted below.

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North American Open Finals Start List

When: Ontario Championships, November 12-13, 2022
Where: Variety Village, 3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough

We are looking for: 

• 3-5 photos per athlete including warm up area and competition stage or at minimum 15-20 photos per session

• 15-20 of photos of Technical Officials, overall Field of Play and competition venue 

• Three (3) 30-60 second video compilations 

Compensation: $300 if it's a one-day competition OR $500 for two days (based on athlete registrations)

Contact info@onweightlifting.ca by November 1, 2022. Selected photographer will be notified on November 4th.

Congratulations to long standing members Akos and Steven Sandor!

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Awards will be presented at the Ontario Championships on Novmeber 12, 2022 at Variety Village.

The Ontario Weightlifting Association is looking for one candidate to fulfill our Administrator position. 

Position:     Part-time contract

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Administrative duties and management of day-to-day operations of the organization, supporting the Executive Board and Competition Administrator, when applicable

• Managing membership registration system: reviewing individual and club memberships, mailing club certificates, maintaining club list

• Coordinating and attending monthly Executive Board and Annual meetings and preparing minutes

• Website maintenance and coordinating social media posts with Social Media Administrators

• Assisting with policy writing, editing and updating 

• Assisting with grant applications, reporting and management

• Overseeing third-party online services (e.g. PayPal, Square, WePay, MailChimp)

• Financial responsibilities: payout reconciliation reports, bank deposits, cheque requisitions 

• Assisting Quest for Gold committee with paperwork and communication

• Correspondence with membership, insurance, Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport, WCH and other sports-related organizations for non-competition-related information

• Check OWA mailbox (bi-weekly)

• Aid where needed as directed by the President

Qualifications:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, time management and organizational skills

• Experience developing internal processes and filing systems

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems

• Olympic Weightlifting experience is an asset, but not necessary

• Ability to work with minimum supervision

• The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check

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Email your resume to info@onweightlifting.ca by Wednesday September 14, 2022.

The Ontario Weightlifting Association Lifetime Achievement Award was established in order to recognize the contribution of longstanding OWA members. The award is presented to all eligible members for their ongoing dedication and continued commitment to the sport of weightlifting and the advancement of the Ontario Weightlifting Association. The Lifetime Achievement Award consists of both the 25-Year Club and the 35-Year Club and is presented annually at the Ontario Championships.

The OWA is now accepting nominations to the 25-Year Club and 35-Year-Club. Eligible members normally must be nominated 60 days prior to Ontario Championships, either by an OWA member/club or by self-nominating. Nominations consist of an email/letter stating the candidate’s name, club, first year of OWA membership and a brief history of contribution.

Please send any nominations to the Executive Board c/o Administrator for verification and approval by September 13, 2022.

Presenting the FINAL list of Quest for Gold carded athletes: 

Full Card: 
Noah Santavy
Shania Bedward

Half Card: 

Feras Sharaf-Eldin

Naomie Lusignan

Xavier Lusignan 

Alana Santavy 

Recognizing athletes, coaches and officials from Ontario who are representing Canada at the Pan Am Championships in Bogota, Colombia. Best of luck!

Athletes
Noah Santavy
Hannah Gula
Shania Bedward

Coaches
Hani Kanama

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Technical Officials

Linda Earnshaw

Nalani Perry, Director of the Advancement of Para Weightlifting for the Canadian Masters Weightlifting Federation (CMWFHCM), is promoting the inclusion of adaptive athletes as para weightlifters with the Provincial Weightlifting Associations, Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie, the International Masters Weightlifting Federation and the Pan American Masters Weightlifting Federation. The aim is to promote the sport of para weightlifting with the principles of inclusion of adaptive athletes within the Canadian and International Weightlifting community.

The survey below was developed to better understand the needs of para 'olympic-style' weightlifting in Canada. This process will provide stakeholders and the community the chance to encourage the future trajectory of para weightlifting (olympic-style weightlifting for adaptive athletes).

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Complete the survey in either English or French.

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Information derived from the survey will be compiled and provided to the Provincial Weightlifting Associations, Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie and the community at large. 

This is a follow up from our earlier announcement regarding extra funding we received from the Ontario Government to support community sports clubs that were impacted by COVID-19. Current member clubs or those that registered as a club between April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022 (2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons) may be eligible for funding. 

In order to be considered, clubs MUST meet the following criteria:

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• Collect and file membership incomes with the CRA as a registered business, sole proprietor, or registered non-profit.

• Rent, lease, own, or mortgage their training space and operate from a location designated by their city as commercial, not residential.

• Have not received any community sports club funding from any other provincial sports organization.

• Have increased operating costs directly related to the pandemic.

Clubs must complete the COMMUNITY SPORTS CLUB FUNDING FORM by Monday July 25, 2022. Total funding of over $50,000 will be divided amongst member clubs.

Wishing Team Ontario the best of luck at the Canadian Masters Weightlifting Championships, hosted by Canadian Masters Weightlifting Federation on July 9-10, 2022.

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Athletes 

Chris Barkey

Charity Bartz

Liisa Burk

Roland Chretien

Sarah Condon

William Condon

Jamie Crane

Dave Desroches

Dave Dessureault

Amarjit Dosanjh

Iain Douglas

John Florento

Thorin Gault

Ken Gorman

Sylvie Guénette

Jillian Halligan

Heather Harvey

Doris Hellenbart

Martene Herbert

Vern Hibbard

Danielle Holdsworth

Stepan Hroupa

Joanne Jeffrey

Virginia Ki

Krystal Lavechia

Gary Lewis

Samantha Maxwell

Amy McGrath

Sara O'Neill

Judy Quinn

Sarah Reid

Mohan Sandhu

Christopher Smith

David Stewart

Martin Tempelaar

Craig Vandeweghe

Jess Verwey

Cory Walt

Madeleine Waterfield

Congratulations to Naomie Lusignan and coach Justin Spencer at the IWF Youth World Championships in Leon, Mexico. Naomie competed in the 71kg, achieving an 84kg snatch and 101kg clean and jerk 

The OWA is seeking for an administrator to assist with club challenges and promoting on social media. 

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Description: To communicate with OWA members regarding club challenges (quarterly), and help with time-sensitive administrative tasks. The successful candidate will be paid 10% of total entries. 

Term: Until March 31, 2023

Key responsibilities:

• Post on website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter updates regarding competition info/news

• Provide coverage of OWA athletes competing during OWA Club Challenge periods (e.g. re-share athletes’ videos and stories and photos, post results)

• Respond to direct/private messages on the Dotmar/Eleiko Instagram page

• Assist in compiling results (must be proficient in Excel)

• Monitor accounts for comments and handle comments that violate OWA policy

• In collaboration with the Social Media Administrators and OWA Administrators

Requirement: 

Must be from Ontario and willing to become a member with the Ontario Weightlifting Association. Minimum volunteer membership required. See Membership Policy.

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Email your interest, and include any related experience,  to OWA Administrator by Thursday June 16, 2022.

Wishing Team Ontario the best of luck at the Canadian Junior Weightlifting Championships, hosted by Fédération d’haltérophilie du Québec on June 4-5, 2022.

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Athletes 

Connor Bazilsky

Natalie Cerna

Ruthie Chouinor 

Asher Edgson 

Feras Sharaf Eldin 

Naza Grant

Ashton Jolley 

Cassandra Karagounis 

Griffin Lamarche

Naomie Lusignan

Xavier Lusignan

Kayla Martindale 

Chloe Parsons

Marlowe Robinson

Molly Sharman 

Samuel Steer

Kassidy Walsh

Declan Watson 

Dominique Weatherup

Joseph Younes 

Amie Zhao

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Coaches

Abdallah Alsebaai (Head Coach)

Larry Robinson (Head Coach)

Hani Kanama (Assistant Coach)

Justin Spencer (Assistant Coach)

Christopher Switalski (Coach in Development)

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Technical Officials

Linda Rosario-Earnshaw

Mark Gomes

Mike Miller

Daniel Robitaille

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Team Leaders

Logan Baker

Kaylee Wedge

The OWA is seeking for two volunteers to manage our social media network. The selected candidates will work collaboratively to promote and market weightlifting and the OWA, and to engage, celebrate, and communicate with OWA members.

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Social Media Administrator - Engagement

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Description: To promote the sport of weightlifting, market the OWA, and to engage and celebrate the OWA community. This position requires a weekly commitment of up to 5 hours per week. 

Term: One-year contract 

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and run special engagement initiatives to promote OWA athletes (e.g. cover photo contest, athlete profiles or Q&As, OWA board member profiles or Q&As)

• In collaboration with Competition Administrator, provide coverage of OWA competitions (CA will live stream; Social Media volunteer will re-share athletes’ stories and photos)

• Provide coverage of OWA athletes competing at national and international events (e.g. re-share athletes’ videos and stories and photos, post results).

• Post relevant articles (e.g. news media coverage of the sport).

• In collaboration with the Social Media - Engagement volunteer and OWA Administrators. 

• Implement new marketing strategy across all social media platforms.

Social Media Administrator - Communications

Description: To communicate regularly with OWA members about competitions and other OWA business. This position requires daily commitment from 15 minutes to 1 hour per day.

Term: One-year contract  

Key responsibilities:

• Post regular website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter updates to communicate competition information/news, course information, and other official OWA business. 

• Respond to direct/private messages on all Social Media accounts.

• Monitor accounts daily for comments and handle comments that violate OWA policy.

• In collaboration with the Social Media - Engagement volunteer and OWA Administrators. 

Requirements for both volunteer positions:

Must be from Ontario and willing to become a member with the Ontario Weightlifting Association. Minimum volunteer membership required. See Membership Policy.

Email your interest to OWA Administrator by Wednesday June 1, 2022.

Wishing Team Ontario the best of luck at the Canadian Senior Weightlifting Championships, hosted by BC Weightlifting on May 20-22, 2022.

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Athletes 

Shania Bedward

Patrick Boileau
Amanda Braddock

Jet Cruz                               
Stephanie Gowanlock                          
Hannah Gula                                        
Kennedy Harding                                  
Samuella Jo Johnson                          
Maya Laylor

Jiwon Lee                                         
Jaclyn Maxwell

Nicolas Munro

Eric Quach

Tyler Ross                                 
Julia Ryan                                            

Alana Santavy

Boady Santavy

Noah Santavy

Kody Taylor                                   

Megan Trupp

Cheng Xu
Francise Yip

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Coaches

Greg Chin

Michale D'Angelo 

Hani Kanama

Clance Laylor

Spencer Moorman 

Dalas Santavy

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Technical Officials

Linda Rosario-Earnshaw

Daniel Robitaille

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Team Leader

Nikkie Quero 

We would like to announce that Kaylee Wedge and Logan Baker have been selected as Team Leaders for this year's Junior Nationals, hosted by Fédération d'haltérophilie du Québec on June 4-5 in La Prairie, Quebec. 

Best of luck to Xavier Lusignan (M96kg A) and Coach Hani Kanama at Junior Worlds in Greece! Tune in here on Sunday, May 8 at 8 a.m ET and watch him compete.

Club Gros-Bill from Fédération d’Haltérophilie du Québec (FHQ) will be hosting this year's 2022 Canadian Junior Weightlifting Championships on June 4-5, 2022 in La Prairie Magdeleine High School, and we are looking for one male and one female to act as Team Leaders.

Team Leader duties include, but are not limited to: sending invitations to athletes and coaches, communication with the participants and Ontario Weightlifting Association (OWA), submission of forms and information to the OWA, traveling to Nationals, and on-site leadership and problem solving. Travel will be subsidized, and accommodations will be provide.

Please submit your interest, including related or prior experience, to info@onweightlifting.ca by Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Team Leaders who are selected will be required to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector check.

The Ontario Weightlifting Association is looking for one candidate to fulfill our Competition Administrator position. This position works closely with the President and focuses primarily on competition administration.

Position:     Part-time contract

Duties and responsibilities: 

• General competition administration: data collection, scheduling, website updates, feeding data to competition software, verifing records, and working with vendors

• Training camp administration (minimum twice per season): inviting athletes based on supplied criteria, booking accommodations, and sending follow up surveys

• Aiding with competition set up (pre-configured laptops and equipment) at locations mostly within 1.5-2 hours of the GTA

• NCCP management: overseeing courses and evaluations, including coordination of facilitators and hosts, contracts, registrations, confirmation of eligibility and provision of course materials 

• Attend monthly Board conference calls and Annual General meetings

• Aiding various board members as it relates to competition administration.

Qualifications:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, time management and organizational skills

• Must know Microsoft Excel

• Olympic Weightlifting experience is an asset, but not necessary

• Ability to work with minimum supervision

• Must be willing to travel generally within 1-1.5 hours of GTA one weekend a month; mileage and hotel accommodations (if applicable) is covered

• The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check

Email your resume to info@onweightlifting.ca by March 19, 2022.

WCH has been advised by the Quebec government that the event scheduled for La Prairie cannot proceed as planned.  They are working diligently to see if there is an alternative location within Canada where the event can proceed safely. A final decision regarding the event communicated by January 20, 2022.  Due to the timelines imposed by the Commonwealth Games Federation for athlete selection, the date of the event cannot be changed.  The primary goal is to find an alternative location within Canada to host the event as originally designed.  They are, however, exploring other options for athletes needing an official event to qualify for Commonwealth Games selection should a Canadian option not be possible.  The athletes/coaches will be contacted directly to discuss options that might be available as more information become available. 

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The following are weight categories for the Commonwealth Games:

Female

49,55,64,71,76,87,87+

Male

55,61,67,73,81,96,109,109+

The following individuals earned direct qualification to the Commonwealth Games at the 2021 IWF World Championships World/Commonwealth Championships in Tashkent:

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Maya Laylor – 76kg

Kristel Ngarlem – 87kg

Boady Santavy – 96kg

The current top ranked athletes in the remaining categories are as follows:

Female

49 - No internationally qualified total achieved

55 - Rachel Leblanc-Bazinet

59 - Tali Darsigny

64 - Maude Charron

71- Andreanne Messier

87+ - Emma Friesen

Male

55 - No internationally qualified total achieved

61 - Youri Simard

67 - No internationally qualified total achieved

73 - Shad Darsigny

81 - Nicolas Vachon

109 - Richard Davidson

109+ - Mike Bencsik

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THIS LIST DOES NOT INDICATE SELECTION TO THE COMMONWEALTH TEAM.  PLEASE REVIEW THE DOCUMENT HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THAT PROCESS.

Last night Weightlifting Canada Halterophile (WCH) notified the OWA of two international competitions that require participating athletes to declare their interest.  Athletes registering will be required to submit a non-refundable administration fee of $100 for their registration to be confirmed.  

DECLARATION OF INTEREST FORM

Commonwealth Games 

Due December 26, 2021, 9:00 AM

Whereabouts information should be current through to the end of the competition date at a minimum. 

Performance Markers

Team Selection Procedures

IWF Calendar

Final Commonwealth Qualifier - February 26, 27th (La Prairie, Quebec)

Due January 6, 2022, 9:00 AM

This competition is not only open to athletes wishing to qualify for the Commonwealth Games but also to any athlete wanting to gain competition experience in an international setting.  To be eligible to compete athletes must meet the threshold for performance below and be at least 15 years of age as of  December 31, 2022.

F           M

45 107 55 176

49 128 61 200

55 140 67 217

59 151 73 232

64 158 81 245

71 163 89 249

76 167 96 266

81 168 102 268

87 169 109 270

87+ 183 109+ 288

The Ontario Weightlifting Association would like to inform our members that as of December 31,2021, Amanda Braddock has decided to relinquish her position as Competition Administrator.

Over the last couple of years, Amanda has worked diligently to help our community move forward and was a critical member as we navigated COVID. She will be missed, and we wish her nothing but success in any future endeavors.

A contract posting will be available in the new year, and the executive board will take over the competition responsibilities in the interim. Continue to contact competiton@onweightlifting.ca for competition information.

Mike Miller and the OWA Executive Board

The 2022 Ontario Winter Games will be held from February 27 to March 6, 2022 in Renfrew County, and we are looking for one male and one female to act as Team Leaders.

Team Leader duties include, but are not limited to: sending invitations to athletes and coaches, communication with the participants and Games Organizing Committee (GOC), submission of forms and information to the GOC, traveling to the Games, and on-site leadership and problem solving. Travel will be subsidized, and accommodations will be provided.

If you are interested, please submit your interest to the Administrator at info@onweightlifing.ca by Sunday, January 9, 2022. Team Leaders who are selected will be required to get a Police Vulnerable Sector check.

We have just received notice that our application for the additional funding being dispersed to Provincial Sporting Organizations has been granted to the Ontario Weightlifting Association. 

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Total additional funds of >$50,000 to support members clubs, and high-performance athletes and/or programming are being awarded!

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On March 17th the Ontario Government announced they would be investing in sports and recreation to encourage physical activity as we recover from this pandemic. Read the provincial press release here. 

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The Board of Directors reviewed the application and set up criteria as was required by the province and made a successful application for our portion of the funds.  We are pleased to report that we have been awarded these monies. 

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2021-2022 Member Club Support Funding: 90% of the funds will be awarded to registered clubs with the remaining 10% to be retained by OWA to cover administrative costs. Priority will be given to clubs that were significantly impacted by the shutdowns.  The criteria that we will use to determine club eligibility will focus on those with high overhead costs and if they are still active to date. 

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2021-2022 Quest for Gold Funding: 100% of the funds will be distributed to our high-performance athletes. The eligibility criteria will mirror the 2019-2020 Athlete Selection Criteria in the identification, ranking and selection of athletes. Two (2) senior athletes (1 male and 1 female) will receive full cards and four (4) junior athletes (2 males and 2 females) will receive half cards. 

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Further details to follow as we reach out to all clubs and athletes and determine eligibility. Funds will be dispersed no later than May 31, 2022.  

Congratulations to longstanding OWA members Jason MacLean and Dalas Santavy! 

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Awards to be presented at the Ontario Championships on November 6, 2021 at Variety Village. 

Job Description: To provide information and technology support to the OWA Administrative staff and Executive Board.

Term: Until March 31, 2022

Key responsibilities:

• Assimilate data from multiple sources.

• Administrative rights to information technology sources.

• Competition setup support.

• Ensure OWA is using most cost effective technology sources.

• Hardware support.

• ​

Requirements: 

• Must be an OWA member.

• Experience in operating computer hardware and software, specifically pertaining to data management and analysis.

Email your interest to OWA Administrator by October 29, 2021.  Please describe why you're interested in this position and include any related or prior experience. 

The OWA has received notice that the Wellington/Guelph health unit has amended the provincial regulations regarding COVID proof of vaccination requirements. (SCHEDULE 1, SECTION 2 (2.1) OF ONTARIO REGULATION 364/20)

Please be aware that athletes and coaches registered for the Richard Borden Memorial competition are subject to the following regulations as of September 23rd.

Athletes (in their active session of competition only):
18 & over: Proof of vaccination required
Under 18: Proof of vaccination NOT required

Coaches, Officials & Volunteers
12 & Over: Proof of vaccination required
Under 12: Proof of vaccination NOT required

ALL Spectators, Parents/Guardians (including athletes, coaches, officials or volunteers NOT in their active session of competition):
12 & Over: Proof of vaccination required
Under 12: Proof of vaccination NOT required

https://wdgpublichealth.ca/news/dr-nicola-mercer-medical-officer-health-and-ceo-wellington-dufferin-guelph-public-health-has

The Ontario Weightlifting Association Lifetime Achievement Award was established in order to recognize the contribution of longstanding OWA members. The award is presented to all eligible members for their ongoing dedication and continued commitment to the sport of weightlifting and the advancement of the Ontario Weightlifting Association. The Lifetime Achievement Award consists of both the 25-Year Club and the 35-Year Club and is presented annually at the Ontario Championships.

The OWA is now accepting nominations to the 25-Year Club and 35-Year-Club. Eligible members normally must be nominated 60 days prior to Ontario Championships, either by an OWA member/club or by self-nominating. Nominations consist of an email/letter stating the candidate’s name, club, first year of OWA membership and a brief history of contribution.

Please send any nominations to the Executive Board c/o Administrator for verification and approval by September 8, 2021.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Eva Martens as VP Administration (1-year term), following the departure of Paul Vilchez.

Eva brings a varied background to her role as VP Administration, with years of experience in leadership roles, coaching, and competing as a Masters athlete. 

Please join us in welcoming Eva to the OWA Executive Board.

Congratulations to the following Ontario silver medalists at the 2021 Pan American Masters Championships: 

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Pamela Warner (W40, 49kg), 105kg total

Nichole Lee (W40, 76kg), 155kg total

NOTICE FROM THE PETERBOROUGH HEALTH UNIT: 

Effective 12:01 a.m. on November 26, 2021, upon entry to the facility, confirm proof of vaccination (or proof of a medical exemption) and personal identification, for all persons 12 years of age and older, including participants actively engaged in organized sports.

Win Big & Support Team Canada!

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The Team Canada 50/50 has launched! Win big and support Team Canada and sport across the country.
 
Starting today and running throughout the Olympic Games, join fellow Canadians from coast to coast in the TeamCanada 50/50. All proceeds are invested directly into Ontario’s sport system.

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Buy Tickets: www.teamcanada5050.ca

Job Description: Oversee and bridge administrative projects, and ensure the OWA is meeting various obligations and goals. See OWA By-Laws for more information.

​

Term: 1 year 

Key responsibilities:

• Participate in discussions, voting, monthly conference calls, and helping various departments as necessary. 

• Handles correspondence, maintains an updated system of the Corporation’s documents and records, and takes minutes at all meetings.

• Issue notice for meetings, be responsible for internal and external communications and will assist the President as required.

​

Addition responsibilities may include:

• Develop the association's capacity to support and recognize Masters Weightlifting.

• Work with committees to ensure the OWA's public image is a fair representation of its members.

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Requirements: 

• Eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is a resident of Canada as defined in the Income Tax Act, who has the power under law to contract, who has not been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country, who is a Regular Member of the Corporation in good standing, and who does not have the status of bankrupt. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• 1 to 2 hours of work per week, spread out in short to long daily intervals.

• Be able to join monthly conference calls when available.

• Be able to travel when possible.

Apply: Email your interest to Administrator by Saturday, August 7. Please describe why you're interested in this position and include any related or prior experience. 

Would you like to host the Ontario Championships on November 5-6, 2021? The OWA is looking for an ideal venue to host senior provincials for the 2021/2022 season.

​

Ideal criteria:

Hotel conference room, gymnasium or any suitable facility with approximately 4,500 sq. ft. of unobstructed floor space – ground level only.

Must have a parking lot (no street parking) and change rooms with showers.

​

Clubs interested in hosting must submit their interest to Administrator, info@onweightlifting.ca by Saturday, August 21, 2021.  OWA members are also encouraged to send in your suggestions, for suitable locations in your area, and we will follow up with a request for quote. 

Congratulations to the following Canadian athletes who qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games: 

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Boady Santavy (96kg) - ON

Rachel Leblanc-Bazinet (55kg) - QC

Tali Darsigny (59kg) - QC

Maude Charron (64kg) - QC

Kristel Ngarlem (76kg) - QC

​

The athletes will be accompanied by coaches Dalas Santavy, Yvan Darsigny, and Jean-Patrick Millette. 

Please see the CWFHC page for a memo regarding deadlines and qualifying procedures for the 2021 Youth/Junior/Senior Commonwealth Championships, held in Singapore on October 20 - 24, 2021.

​

Declaration of Interest can be submitted on Upcoming Events and are due June 21, 2021.

In light of ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 the OWA and CWFHC have determined that the Canadian Senior Nationals competition will now be online. Dates and qualification criteria remain unchanged.
_______________________________
En raison des préoccupations constantes concernant covid-19 l’OWA et CWFHC ont déterminé que les Championnats canadiens seniors seront maintenant en ligne. Les dates et les critères de qualification demeurent inchangés. test

Early this year, the OWA received emergency funding intended for Community Sports Clubs. The government indicated the OWA would be responsible for developing, managing and implementing a fair and transparent funding program that supports their member community sports clubs.

A community sports club is a club that aligns within the amateur sport system by offering a range of grassroots and competitive programming. This funding is intended to support community sports clubs across the province in sustaining their organizations and preparing for when the sport can return safely.

For a period from June 18th to July 3rd, clubs were invited through email, our website, and social media to participate in a survey/application to determine the allocation of funding received. Using data gathered from clubs, the OWA established the following criteria and  distribution model. 

Eligibility criteria:

1. Club plans on resuming operations

2. Club is responsible for renting or leasing their training location.

3. Club had eleven or more members. 

4. Club has reduced its workforce.

5. Club experienced a monthly revenue loss of greater than $500 due to decreased membership/participation fees, events.

6. Club experienced a monthly operating cost increase greater than $500 (e.g., rent increase, PPE, signage)

7. Club has not received other provincial funding (e.g., Ontario Small Business Support Grant)

Additional criteria:

1. Met at least five of the above criteria

2. Club had more than two members in the 2019-2020 season.

3. Club has not received Community Sports Clubs funding from any other provincial sports organization

The funds were then distributed based on PRE-COVID 2019-2020 membership registrations.

The following clubs met the established criteria, participated in the survey/application and received the following amounts.

1. ALP Weightlifting (10 members -> $780.52)

2. Burlington Barbell Club (12 members ->$ 936.62)

3. Cornwall Weightlifting Club (9 members -> $702.47)

4. Garage Gym Weightlifting (6 members -> $468.31)

5. GoodLife Barbell (9 members -> $702.48)

6. Hammer Strength and Performance (4 members -> $312.12)

7. JustLift (50 members -> $3902.59)

8. Lift Barbell Club (formerly The Vault Barbell Club) (24 members -> $1873.25)

9. LPS Weightlifting (8 members -> $624.42)

10. RX Weightlifting (12 members -> $936.62)

11. Varbanov School of Weightlifting (10 members -> $780.52)

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For full funding summary, click here. 

The OWA is seeking for locations to host this season's Junior and Senior training camps. If your club is able to host, please email your interest to Administrator by Saturday, August 14

Job Description: Oversee and bridge administrative, technical and financial projects, and ensure the OWA is meeting various obligations and goals. See OWA By-Laws for more information. 

Term: Until 2021 Annual General Meeting

Key responsibilities:

• Participate in discussions, voting, monthly conference calls, and helping various departments as necessary. 

• Human resources, policy development, bylaws, Quest for Gold and appeal management.

• Conduct site visits as necessary. 

Requirements: 

• Eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is a resident of Canada as defined in the Income Tax Act, who has the power under law to contract, who has not been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country, who is a Regular Member of the Corporation in good standing, and who does not have the status of bankrupt. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• 1 to 2 hours of work per week, spread out in short to long daily intervals.

• Be able to join monthly conference calls when available.

• Be able to travel when possible

Apply: Email your interest to OWA Administrator by April 14, 2021.  Please describe why you're interested in this position and include any related or prior experience. 

The OWA would like to thank all the volunteers and Technical Officials, both provincially and nationally, who were involved at the 2021 Canadian Junior Championships. The past year has been challenging, but your continued dedication and support help keep the sport alive! Without you, there would be no competition to speak of. 

A special thank you goes out to our Ontario officials who gave their time, energy and patience: 

Linda Rosario Earnshaw 

Lara Ferretto

Mark Gomes

Mike Miller

Daniel Robitaille

To Canadian Weightlifting Federation, thank you! The challenges that come with adapting and transitioning to new ways of competition is no small feat; nonetheless, this event was a huge success.  

Finally, we want to commend Team Ontario for their outstanding performance. Congratulations to:  

Connor Bazilsky

Keeley Brown

Ryan Chen

Ruth Chouinor

Alexander Clazie

Feras Sharaf Eldin

Naza Grant

Carlene Gagnon Hachey

Emma Jamieson

Brady Killoran

Elita Lajoie 

Griffin Lamarche

Naomie Lusignan

Xavier Lusignan

Elijah Martindale

Kayla Martindale

Brian Periku

Marlowe Robinson

Hannah Rolleman

Alana Santavy

Bradyn Santavy

Maleeka Virtue

Declan Watson

Ethan Yuke

As we reach the end of our season, we want to wish all our members a better and stronger 2021-2022!

 The 2021 Canadian Junior Championships hosted by CWFHC will run online through Zoom, on March 20 & 21, 2021.

​

A schedule and livestream link will be provided as soon as possible.

Congratulations and good luck to all Team Ontario junior athletes!

​

Connor Bazilsky

Feras Sharaf Eldin

Griffin Lamarche

Brian Periku

Ryan Chen

Declan Watson

Xavier Lusignan

Bradyn Santavy

Elijah Martindale

Alexander Clazie

Brady Killoran

Ethan Yuke

​

Maleeka Virtue

Marlowe Robinson

Keeley Brown

Charlene Gagnon Hachey

Kayla Martindale

Alana Santavy

Naomie Lusignan

Hannah Rolleman

Ruth Chouinor

Naza Grant

Elita Lajoie

Emma Jamieson

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Earle as Interim VP Operations, following the departure of David Di Donato.

​

Dave brings a wealth of experience having been involved in weightlifting since 2009 as an athlete, coach and business owner of The Power Academy.

​

Please join us in welcoming Dave to the OWA Executive Board.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Government of Ontario lock-down, the 2021 Ontario Masters Open scheduled on February 27-28 has been postponed to a later date. 

Over the last year, the Ontario Weightlifting Association, like many other provincial and national weightlifting associations, has debated the feasibility of hosting their respective championships in this new and foreign landscape.  I have had the opportunity to hear many different perspectives from members all across the province. After announcing our intentions to support an online competition, we have received both praise and legitimate concern about the format's fairness and feasibility.

Like many of you, my club, training, and family life have been dramatically affected by the uncertainty and hardship posed by the pandemic. As an athlete, I feel I will not have time to safely prepare for this competition and deliver a performance that will be personally meaningful. However, over the last year, I have witnessed a fantastic display of resourcefulness in many of our members at maintaining the training level required to compete. I've watched hundreds of athletes setting PR's in their basement/street/garages and humbled at their perseverance and the defiance of circumstance threatening their performance. For those who have expressed concern, we understand and did not make this decision without careful consideration.

This competition will be applicable for Quest for Gold and Team Ontario selection; however, it will not be the only competition. It is in no way a requirement for any Ontario selection process. We will do everything we can to ensure we have the best team for Senior nationals and provide a fair opportunity for all athletes to participate in the funding selection process.

I've heard loud and clear that no athlete wants to pay $100 to lift in the garage. I adamantly agree. Entry fees will be as small as possible, and we will find a way to give any surplus back to the community.

The Ontario Weightlifting Association has chosen to fulfill its national constitution requirement: holding an annual provincial championship. We will use an online format to host our Championships while maintaining our membership's health and safety. Ontario has witnessed many Ontario Championships where some athletes and clubs have been unable to attend. The legitimacy of those competitions has never been disputed. Still, this competition will be remembered as an anomaly and independently ranked as we try to make amends with the new reality COVID has brought us. 

For some athletes, this competition will be the bitter end to our 2020/2021 season; for many others, this competition will be an exciting opportunity to feel some normalcy and connection with a community we have all had to do without for some time now. Regardless of perspective, on April 1st, we can begin anew with the 2021/2022 season and work towards rebuilding our coaches, clubs, technical officials. Most importantly, we'll have the opportunity to make a more inclusive, athlete-centric competition calendar with clear objectives for all streams of weightlifting.  

This year has been immensely difficult for all of us. We've all had to make challenging, imperfect decisions to do the best we can in time in this time of incredible hardship and uncertainty. While we understand that we cannot please everyone with the decision we have made, know that we have made it with you, the community, in mind. 

​

Mike Miller

The OWA acknowledges it has received complaints about a coach whose actions could be in violation of the OWA's code of conduct. The OWA is a proud member of True Sport. We stand committed to the principles of respect and equality as cornerstones to creating our sporting experience, both on and off the field of play.

If you have witnessed or been subjected to any activity which you feel is inconsistent with our code of conduct, please contact the OWA President directly, at president@onweighltifting.ca. Any coercion or bullying of any member reporting ethical issues will be immediately dealt with.   

All members of the OWA are entitled to due process and the OWA will continue to investigate infractions in a fair and consistent manner.

We are pleased to announce the working group for our new committee!

​

Chair: Nicolas Munro

Sarah Lakhan

Nichole Lee

Brendan Shaffick

Anna Zinenko

Good luck to OWA athletes competing in the 15 & Under Pan American Championships, taking place virtually between December 12 - 18th!

​

Marlowe Robinson

Declan Watson

Elita Lajoie

​

Livestream and archived sessions can be viewed here.

See memo from the President. 

The OWA provides athletes and support personnel with information about the prohibited status of specific medications based on the current World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

​

The 2021 Prohibited List as well as the Summary of Modifications to the previous list will take effect January 1, 2021.

The OWA is proud to have run the first sanctioned competition of the 2020/2021 season, the Richard Borden Memorial!

Thanks to the help of Vault Barbell Club and many volunteers, the event was run safely and successfully at the Delta Hotel & Conference Centre in Guelph, ON. 

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Read more about what went into organizing this event here!

This competition will be hosted by The Vault Barbell at Delta Hotels by Marriott Guelph Conference Centre, 50 Stone Road West, Guelph. 

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See Upcoming Events page for more information.

We are looking for five (5) members, with at least two (2) female representation, for this new committee. The committee’s purpose is to raise awareness and understanding of gender equity as it relates to high performance, governance, and general membership.

Scope

• Aid in developing a gender equity policy for the OWA.

• Ensure that gender equity is followed when developing, updating or delivering OWA programs, policies and materials.

• Consult with other committees and officers regarding gender equity.

• Promote awareness and provide education on gender equity.

• Report to membership at AGM.

• Ontario Weightlifting board may delegate other responsibilities as they see fit.

If interested, please contact Administrator at by November 30th.

The OWA is pleased to announce the following members who will be manaing our social media network. 

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Social Media Admnistrator - Engagement

Bethany Wilson

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Social Media Administrators - Communication

Nikkie Quero

John Florento

Message from Mike Miller - OWA President

​

We're getting messages indicating there are pockets of non-compliance regarding masks, social distancing, and sanitization. Please consider Weightlifting, CrossFit, Powerlifting, and Bodybuilding are often grouped together in the media. Gym infractions could have an effect on strength sports across Ontario regardless of their location or field. We must work together in our facilities to remain safe and open.

The Ontario Weightlifting Association Lifetime Achievement Award was established in order to recognize the contribution of longstanding OWA members. The award is presented to all eligible members for their ongoing dedication and continued commitment to the sport of weightlifting and the advancement of the Ontario Weightlifting Association. The Lifetime Achievement Award consists of both the 25-Year Club and the 35-Year Club and is presented annually at the Ontario Championships.

The OWA is now accepting nominations to the 25-Year Club and 35-Year-Club. Eligible members normally must be nominated 60 days prior to Ontario Championships, either by an OWA member/club or by self-nominating. Nominations consist of an email/letter stating the candidate’s name, club, first year of OWA membership and a brief history of contribution.

Please send any nominations to the Executive Board c/o Lana for verification and approval by October 8, 2020.

Congratulations to Maude Charron for winning Canada's second gold medal at the Tokyo Games! She competed in the 64kg category, lifting 105kg for the snatch and 131 kg for the clean and jerk.

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We would also like to congratulate Rachel LeBlanc-Bazinet (55kg) who came in 12th with a 181kg total and Tali Darsigny (59kg) who placed 9th with a 199kg total. 

Exciting news!

​

The 2020 Ontario Senior Championships and 2020 Ontario Junior Championships have been planned as a combined two-day event on December 5 & 6, 2020.

​

The competitions will be held on the same weekend to reduce travel and set up requirements for volunteers, officials, athletes and coaches.

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Due to the interruption of the competition year in 2020, qualifying totals for the 2020 Ontario Senior Championships will not be in effect. However, in response to gathering limits and distancing considerations, competition registration will be capped. An invitation process will determine registration at this event. Junior athletes will not be subject to this invitation process and all Junior athletes will be invited to participate. Please note that athletes hoping to qualify for 2021 Canadian Junior Championships must compete at the 2020 Ontario Junior Championships.  

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Declarations for intent to compete are due November 1, 2020.

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Please review the invitation process carefully as deadlines for athletes apply. Any questions on the invitation process should be directed to Amanda .

The OWA has created a document outlining considerations for a return to competition in the 2020/2021 season. 

This document is intended to be a resource for competition organizers when planning a sanctioned or club competition. It also outlines athlete, coach and Technical Official responsibilities at all future OWA meets until further notice.

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Please review it and direct any questions or comments to competition@onweightlifting.ca.

The 2020 Commonwealth Weightlifting Rankings have been released.

Congratulations to the following OWA athletes for ranking among the Top 25 per weight class among Commonwealth countries!

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Men

Nikolay Varbanov
Frank Longo
Noah Santavy
Boady Santavy
Richard Davidson
Patrick Boileau

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Women

Amanda Braddock
Jaclyn Maxwell
Kalie Shanahan
Megan Trupp
Maya Laylor
Marie-Eve Beauchemin-Nadeau
Shania Bedward
Julia Ryan

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Full ranking list can be found on our international results page here.

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We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Stella Ng for all her hard work and commitment to the OWA since November 2018. She’s been an integral part of the team as our volunteer Social Media Administrator – Engagement and she will surely be missed. All the best, Stella!

Due to the COVID-19 shutdown resulting in the cancellation of the May and August Club Challenge weekends, the 2019/2020 OCC season has been extended, and the 2020/2021 season modified to allow clubs four Club Challenge Weekends per season, in which to compete and qualify.

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The new dates for the two remaining OCC weekends will be:

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2019/2020 Season OCC #3 -  September 18-20, 2020

2019/2020 Season OCC #4 -  November 13-15, 2020 (end of season)

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These dates are subject to change, depending on information from the Government of Ontario regarding any further shutdowns or restrictions.

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More details to follow on Return to Competition Guidelines and the status of the 2020 Ontario Senior Championships.

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Please continue to refer to the Club Challenge page for details on holding a club challenge, current standings and past results.

The OWA Executive Board highly recommends all members to review the attached documents. These documents are intended to aid in formulating procedures and policies to return safely to training. Each club/facility is required to create its own health and safety protocols that comply with the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s recommendations. Efforts must be taken to protect all your members and follow the public health authority guidelines at the federal, provincial, municipal level. In preparation for reopening, we've also included the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool for Return to Sport, which was developed in partnership with Own the Podium and the Chief Medical Officers of the COC, CPC and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network.

Ultimately, it is up to each club to determine whether they can reopen under the required conditions as set out by the Emergency Order.

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Statement from the President

Considerations for Return to Training 

COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool for Return to Sport

Following consultations with the PSOs and Sport Canada, the CWFHC regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2020 Canadian Senior Weightlifting Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The continuing social distancing guidelines and limits of gathering sizes for groups across Canada leave little if any opportunity to reschedule the event without putting athletes, coaches, TOs and volunteers at risk and causing significant disruption to the 2020/21 calendar. The CWFHC will continue to work closely with our partners at Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the IWF to develop guidelines for a safe return to sport. We thank you for your perseverance in these most unusual times. 

Craig Walker - President
Richard Mason - Vice President, Administration
Don MacNeill - Vice President, Technical
Aaleem Patel - Secretary-Treasurer

Know a great coach? Nominations now open for the Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards!

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The Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards celebrates the dedication and commitment of Ontario’s great coaches. The Awards recognize the importance of leadership, performance and the value of human insight which are all integral to great coaching.

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Nominations close May 29, 2020

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Complete the nomination form at: https://www.coachesontario.ca/events/awards/

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Coaches are celebrated during National Coaches Week (September 19-27, 2020) at the Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards scheduled for September 19, 2020.

The DRAFT list of nominated athletes for the 2019/2020 carding cycle is now posted. 

All 2019/2020 memberships have been extended until the first OWA-sanctioned event is confirmed for the 2020/2021 season. The 2020/2021 membership forms will be made available once the first competition is scheduled. If you have any questions, contact Administrator.