Children's Games

The DRP Children’s Games have a proud tradition of creating a fun, inclusive, and empowering sporting experience for children and youth aged 5 to 18 living with physical disabilities. Bringing together participants from across Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area, the Games celebrate participation, teamwork, and community spirit.

Athletes take part in a wide range of accessible, participation-based activities—including basketball, wheelchair rugby, parachute games, and more—designed to encourage confidence, connection, and enjoyment. Each activity is thoughtfully adapted to ensure children of all abilities can fully engage and succeed.

The day begins with athletes arriving early for a full schedule of excitement and camaraderie. Hosted at Durham College’s Recreation Centre, participants receive a team t-shirt and rotate through interactive activity stations, cheering each other on as they take on new challenges. Throughout the day, they connect with dedicated members of the Durham Regional Police Service and the wider community, building lasting relationships in a supportive environment.

Volunteers and support staff from Grandview Children’s Centre play an essential role in facilitating activities, ensuring each station is safe, inclusive, and engaging for all participants.

A highlight of the day is a shared lunch, where athletes and their families enjoy pizza and comfort foods served by police members and community volunteers. The event concludes with a celebration of achievement: every participant receives a medal, and individuals who demonstrate exceptional enthusiasm and sportsmanship are honoured with the Laura Zutell Spirit Award.

The DRP Children’s Games are more than a sporting event—they are a celebration of ability, community, and the power of inclusion.

The DRP Children’s Games began in the spring of 1985, when Durham Regional Police Constable Stew Giffin introduced a vision to create an annual sporting event for children aged 6 to 16 living with physical disabilities. With the support of Chief of Police Jon Jenkins, Pickering Mayor Jack Anderson, and a dedicated volunteer committee, that vision quickly took shape.

Working collaboratively, the organizing team established the framework for a day-long event focused on inclusion, participation, and community engagement. To complement a similar program hosted annually by the Toronto Police Service in the spring, it was decided that the DRP Children’s Games would take place each fall.

Recognizing the importance of strong community partnerships, Giffin and his committee approached Pickering City Council to secure the Pickering Recreation Complex as the home of the Games. The proposal was approved unanimously, marking the beginning of a partnership that has spanned over 25 years.

Since then, the Games have continued to grow while remaining rooted in their original mission. Each year, approximately 50 to 100 children—many from Campbell Children’s School and Grandview Children’s Centre—participate in a full day of engaging athletic activities alongside their families and volunteer team leaders.

Volunteerism has always been at the heart of the event. Members of the Durham Regional Police Service and community volunteers come together each year to organize, support, and celebrate the athletes.

The Games traditionally begin with an opening ceremony featuring guest speakers, local dignitaries, and police officials. Athletes are proudly introduced as they enter alongside their team volunteers, culminating in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by the Chief of Police (or designate) and the top male and female athletes.

Throughout the day, teams rotate through a variety of activities—such as basketball, moonball, golf, and wheelchair rugby—cheering each other on and building confidence through participation. Over the years, the event has welcomed support from community figures and athletes, including members of the Oshawa Generals and Pickering Panthers hockey clubs.

The DRP Children’s Games marked a major milestone in 2014 with the celebration of its 30th anniversary, accompanied by a refreshed visual identity and enhancements to the event experience. The Games have also been recognized for their impact and leadership in accessibility, receiving the City of Pickering’s Access Award for Disability Issues in 2006 and the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility (Champion Award) in 2016.

Today, the DRP Children’s Games continue to honour their founding vision—providing a joyful, inclusive space where children of all abilities can participate, connect, and thrive.