After a long hiatus, a wave of Canadian Lithuanian athletes is
returning to the World Lithuanian Sports Games, set to take place
this summer in Palanga.
More than 50 athletes from Canada are registered to compete鈥攁
dramatic rise compared to recent years. And much of the credit
belongs to one woman: Onut臈 Stanevi膷ius-Mills, a tireless community
leader and passionate advocate for sports and Lithuanian heritage
in Toronto.
This marks the largest Canadian Lithuanian delegation since
2009, when over 100 athletes participated in the Vilnius games.
Since then, numbers dwindled to just a handful. But this year, the
revival is real鈥攁nd it鈥檚 personal.
A second-generation Canadian of Lithuanian descent, Onut臈 is a
well-known name in Toronto’s diaspora circles. She currently serves
as the Education Chair of the Canadian Lithuanian Community, is a
long-time board member of Toronto鈥檚 Au拧ra Sports Club, and is also
the local ambassador of the Vilties B臈gimas (Run of Hope), a
charitable race supporting Klaip臈da鈥檚 oncology center.
鈥淪ports have always been a part of my life,鈥 says Onut臈, who
studied mathematics and kinesiology and spent 25 years teaching
physical education and wellness at the high school level.
鈥淣ow I work with students with diverse learning needs. I think
about retirement鈥攂ut not quite yet!鈥
Alongside her husband Jon (an English-Canadian), Onut臈 raised
two daughters, both involved in the Lithuanian community. Her
younger daughter Daiva will compete in the youth 3×3 basketball
tournament in Palanga.
Through Saturday catechism classes, youth mentorship, and 35
years of volunteer work with Au拧ra Sports Club鈥攊ncluding 20 years
coaching women鈥檚 basketball鈥擮nut臈 has worked to keep Lithuanian
culture alive through action and teamwork.
鈥淥ur parents always encouraged us to speak Lithuanian and stay
connected,鈥 she recalls.
鈥淔rom Hamilton鈥檚 parish to scout groups, summer camps, and
theater鈥攐ur community life was full. Sport was just a natural
extension.鈥
This year, Onut臈 began rallying the community right after the
last diaspora sports festival in Druskininkai. At every
gathering鈥攎eetings, training sessions, school events, even church
masses鈥攕he promoted the idea of representing Canada in the 2025
鈥淲e kept reminding everyone, everywhere: Let鈥檚 go together!鈥
鈥淰ice Chairman of the World Lithuanian Community Laurynas
Misevi膷ius was an incredible support. He answered all our
questions, helped with hotel bookings, and even encouraged the idea
of a 鈥楥anadian Village鈥 in Palanga.鈥
The result? Over 50 participants鈥攁nd more are still
鈥淣ext time,鈥 she laughs, 鈥渨e might hit 100 again鈥攋ust like
The Canadian athletes represent a blend of generations,
including third and even fourth-generation Lithuanians. They鈥檒l
compete in sports ranging from basketball, volleyball, and swimming
to table tennis, tennis, and billiards.
鈥淗onestly, I鈥檇 bet Canada brings home gold in at least four
events,鈥 she smiles.
鈥淏ut more than that, it鈥檚 about connection. Some will explore
Lithuanian towns and heritage sites. For around twenty of them,
this will be their first time ever in Lithuania.鈥
As a long-time leader of Au拧ra Sports Club鈥攆ounded by
Franciscans in 1955鈥擮nut臈 speaks proudly of its growth. The club
now serves over 150 members from ages 3 to nearly 80, with weekly
practices in basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and tennis.
鈥淪port brings people together. Whether it鈥檚 about competition or
just the spirit of community, it builds pride, confidence, and
unity鈥攅specially for diasporas like ours.”