August 26, 2026
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Jackie McDonald of Kincardine has been playing bocce ball for six years and her skills have now taken her to the Special Olympics national games in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where she won gold.
"Winning the gold medal was awesome," said McDonald. "When I got to the finals, I was very focused. I thought I'd be able to win."
McDonald competed in the regionals in Tiverton back in 2024 and won gold, followed by a gold-medal finish at the provincials in Brantford last year, which qualified her for the nationals, held Aug. 11-15, in Medicine Hat.
After winning another gold medal, she could be selected for the Special Olympics world games in Santiago, Chile, next year.
Joining her in Alberta, were her mother, Bev, of Kincardine, her aunt and cousin, and her friend, Richard Wright, also of Kincardine, who formed "Jackie's Squad," supporting her at the competition.
She also credits her success at the nationals, to coach Tara Welbourn and the three fellow athletes from Port Elgin who trained with her and competed, winning two golds and a bronze.
While in Medicine Hat, McDonald didn't do much sight-seeing, but she did check out The Big Marble Go Centre, and on the way home, she had her photo taken with the tallest teepee which was built as part of the Olympics in 1988.
However, she made a lot of new friends and some great memories, along with bringing home the gold medal.
She plans to continue competing in bocce, as well as track and field, curling and swimming. Mike Brough of Kincardine is taking over as the new coach of the local bocce ball team.
When she's not in training for her next gold medal, McDonald works at McDonald's and participates in programs at Drop-in at the Bridge, and the Friendship Club at the Kincardine Lighthouse Baptist Church.
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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