On June 4, Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School welcomed students, community partners, and special guests for a celebratory Challenger Baseball tournament that highlighted teamwork, inclusion and fun. The event, organized by Job Coach and certified Challenger Baseball Coach Wayne Comeau, brought together learners of all abilities for a day focused on sport, connection, and gratitude.
Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball program designed to empower youth with diverse abilities through four guiding principles: love of sport, independence, connection, and courage. The program, sponsored by the Blue Jays Foundation, uses the game of baseball as a tool to build skills and foster meaningful relationships both on and off the field.
The tournament invited secondary schools across the board to participate, as well as local community agencies that operate Adult Day Programs, many of which serve as important next steps for students transitioning out of secondary school. The day served a dual purpose: to provide a fun and inclusive sporting experience for students, and to show appreciation to the agencies that support the school's Supported Community Work Experience Program (SCWEP).
SCWEP is designed to help students and their families navigate the transition from school into community life by building job skills and establishing connections with supportive programs and services.
Adding to the excitement of the day were three former Hamilton Tiger-Cats - Lee Knight, Jason Riley, and Simone Lawrence - who not only inspired attendees with their presence but also volunteered their time at skills and social stations throughout the event. Their involvement helped create a sense of celebration and mentorship that resonated with everyone in attendance.
The event also saw the support of several members of the BT Girls Varsity Slo-Pitch team, who volunteered to help run activity stations and ensure participants had a welcoming, engaging experience.
The Challenger Baseball tournament was not only a home run for inclusion and fun, but also a meaningful step forward in strengthening the bonds between schools and the community programs that help students succeed beyond graduation.
