A pep rally was held in Southport for local Special Olympics Athletes Tuesday.

The Portage Stampeders were met by fans at the Sawmill Tea & Coffee Company in Southport as they're getting set for the Manitoba Provincial Games for Special Olympics taking place June 16-18 in Brandon, MB. Six Athletes will be heading to the games to take part in the Bocce ball competition, three in the track and field, and one will also be participating in basketball. Mayor Irvine Ferris was there to send them off some support from the city, and a little swag.

All of the athletes heading to the Manitoba Provincial Games for Special Olympics. L - R Top - Barret Wallis, Amber Olson, Paula Jordan, Stephanie Holmes, Bell Andrushuk, Zachary Lavallee, Jules Gilliard, and Valone Jansen. L - R Bottom - Kathryn Pugh, Sara Holmes, and Joshua Miedema. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

"They can wear their new Portage la Prairie hats with pride," says Ferris. "Hats off to them and their coaches for all the work they've put in. I just know they're going to do really well, and represent our community well at the upcoming games. They look like they're revved up for it and we wish them all the best."

"I've been the head coach since we started the Portage Stampeders in January of 2009," says head coach Cathy Holmes. "We didn't have anything at the time, and I have two girls with an intellectual disability, and I decided we should start something up. The team is very pumped about the whole thing so we're all excited."

Bell Andrushuk's one of the athletes heading for the Bocce ball competition. She's looking forward to the competition and says the best thing about the sport is winning.

The Opening Ceremonies are Friday, June 14th, and the competition wraps up Sunday, June 16th. Find a list of all the athletes below.

Athletes
Stephanie Holmes - Bocce ball
Bell Andrushuk - Bocce ball
Zachary Lavallee - Bocce ball
Jules Gilliard - Bocce ball
Valone Jansen - Bocce ball
Joshua Miedem - Bocce ball
Sara Holmes - Basketball
Kathryn Pugh - Track and Field
Barret Wallis - Track and Field
Paula Jordan - Track and Field