Schedule of Events

Friday, April 8, 2016 from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM

• 4:00 PM – 4:05 PM:     Introductions – MC, Launy Schwartz
• 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM:     Mascot appearance
• 4:05 PM – 4:35 PM:     3-point competition with CK
• 4:35 PM – 4:50 PM:     Opening performance + Taddy (rap artist from the Chippewa Nation)
• 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM:     Athlete Appearance – James Yurichuk, Linebacker, Toronto Argonauts
• 4:50 PM – 5:55 PM:     Wrestling play-by-play booth with Ricky Johnson + autographs
• 4:55 PM – 5:25 PM:     MMA clinic with Gary Goodridge
• 5:25 PM – 6:20 PM:     Autographs with Gary Goodridge + Ricky Johnson +Special guest
• 5:55 PM – 6:25 PM:     Boxing seminar with Ricky Atkinson
• 6:20 PM – 6:25 PM:     Education Grant presentation
• 6:25 PM – 6:35 PM:    Taddy takes us out
• 6:45 PM – 7:30 PM:    Popcorn and a Movie: Seeking Refuge – The Story of Clement Mubungirwa
  (15 mins.) and another film.

2016 Fan Experience Action

A 3-point competition was hosted by CK, a pro basketball player. The winner received a team-signed basketball donated by the 905 Raptors.

3-point Basketball Competition Winner

Former Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champion, “Soulman” Ricky Johnson doing play-by-play with a young fan. For his participation, the youth won a 905 Raptors team signed T-shirt. Free Martial Arts clinic with Gary Goodridge, former UFC fighter – fusing the mind, body, and spirit. MC Launy Schwartz was a great sport volunteering for the fight demos.​

Boxing Seminar with help from Ricky Atkinson. Benefits that boxing offers youth are discipline, respect, and self-confidence. Thanks to our friends at Lanna Muay Thai for volunteering their time at the ISFFE for kids from the APCC.

Rapper Taddy at ISFFE

Best Narrative – Prithipal Singh … A True Story
Director: Babita Puri, India

Babita Puri, Director

Best Documentary – De Pleintjes aka ANTWERP-The City Game
Director: Rutger Verbeek, Belgium

Antwerp – The City Game

Youth Showcase – Ontario

Best Short Film – Muslim Women in Sports
Producer: Nuha

Nuha, Winner of Youth Showcase and Donna Harrow, APCC Executive Director

Special Prizes for Youth Showcase

Aaron, Festival Director and Leraldo, Youth Showcase participant

Sports Matter –  Producers, Leraldo and Keante
The importance of sports for youth living in urban communities and for revitalization efforts in the City to consider the needs of the community with regards to sporting facilities.

Gordon States, Youth Showcase Participant and Aaron, Festival Director

My Second Family – Producer, Gordon States
The role that wrestling plays in bringing joy to a special needs adult and the bond it created with him and his late father.

Special Thanks

Youth Showcase Mentors, Ryerson University Sport Media Program
Talia Zahavi, Danielle James, Amina Bejtic, Justin Valmores

The 2016 Fan Experience will be held on Friday April 8 2016 between 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm at Alexandra Park Community Centre. Schedule will be announced soon.

The 2015 ISFFE Fan Experience gave attendees an opportunity to meet with sports people and take part in interactive events. The event was affiliated with the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am IGNITE program.

Athlete Appearance – Arm Wrestler, Gary Goodridge

Pachi and the kids arm wrestled with former World Arm Wrestling champ and former MMA fighter, Gary Goodridge.

Gary Goodrich vs Pachi the 2015 Pan Am/ParaPan Am mascot

Pan Am/Parapan Am Athlete Appearance – Rower, Papito Wilson

TO2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Athlete, Papito Wilson attended the Fan Experience. The IGNITE Pan Am/ Parapan Am program was a partner of the Fan Experience and also featured an appearance by Pachi, the Mascot and distribution of Pan Am memorabilia to fans.

Papito Wilson, TO2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am athlete

Athlete Appearance – Wrestler Ricky Johnson

Ricky Johnson and Rocky Johnson formed the  “The Soul Patrol.” The brothers held the prestigious NWA Polynesian Tag Team Championship on two occasions in the mid-1980s (84 and 85). Attendees got the opportunity to ‘cut a promo’ with this former tag team champion and uncle of mega-movie star, “The Rock”.

Wrestler Ricky Johnson and girl cut a promo

Special Guest Appearance – Pinball Clemons

Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons, former Canadian Football League (CFL) player and Grey Cup champion made an appearance at the Fan Experience. The kids and youth were thrilled to see him.

Mike ‘Pinball’ Clemons with kids at the ISFFE

Special Appearance – Dr. David Reiss

Carlifornia-based  psychiatrist and consultant, Dr. David Reiss spoke on mental well-being among athletes. See DMR Dynamics for more about his work.

Dr. David Reiss speaking to Fan Experience attendees

Greg and Quinn Oliver

Author and sports journalist and writer for SLAM Wrestling, Greg Oliver attended the Fan Experience along with his son and author, Quinn Oliver who shared his book, ‘Duck with a Puck’ with young Fans.

Quinn Oliver being interviewed by Rogers TV

Venue:

These activities took place on
Friday April 24, 2015 at the Alexandra Park Community Centre, downtown Toronto.