Heidi Mallett

Heidi Mallett is an athlete from Special Olympics Prince Edward Island Canada in the North America Region. Heidi participates in athletics, bocce, golf, snowshoe, and 5-pin bowling. She has been involved in Special Olympics for 16 years.

Heidi’s favorite part about Special Olympics is the friendships she has made, which have changed her life. Heidi says that through sport she gets to meet a lot of people that she wouldn’t have gotten to meet otherwise. She says that she loves Special Olympics because she gets to play sports at a level that fit her.

Heidi is excited for the congress in Berlin. She is looking forward to traveling to another county to meet new people and learn from them. Heidi says that the congress in Berlin will be an opportunity of a lifetime to get to meet athletes and mentors from all over the world.

When Heidi isn’t competing, she enjoys listening to music, coloring, and spending time with friends and family. Heidi also loves going for walks and being outside in nature. Heidi often spends time visiting seniors who live alone.

Heidi says that being an athlete leader is a privilege to speak up for herself and be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. She is an experienced and enthusiastic advocate for individuals with an intellectual disability. Heidi says that she does all of this work because she cares about the athletes and wants them to be part of the community.

Heidi’s grant plan is to train 10 athletes in Introduction to Athlete Leadership and Understanding Leadership. Working with Special Olympics Prince Edward Island (SOPEI) staff, Heidi will host workshops as well as an athlete leader panel discussion where athletes will talk about their experience as athlete leaders. This will hopefully encourage athletes to join the SOPEI Leadership Academy. The SOPEI Athlete Leadership Academy is an opportunity for Island Athletes to gain knowledge and experience in a number of workshops and electives beyond sports training and competition. As athletes explore and complete these opportunities, it is her goal that it will build community and empower members to reach their full potential. Athlete leadership also provides another way for athletes to showcase and utilize their talents, interests, and expertise.