Sunshine Coast Special Olympics Softball Tournament May 12, 2018
 
On Sunday May 12th, The Sunshine Coast Ravens hosted a softball tourney at Hackett Park. The Coquitlam Tigers and The Vancouver Thunder each played a game against our beloved Ravens. All players did well, with some homeruns and outs on bases.
 
Head coach Randy Younghusband sent this to his team, “Great job hosting Vancouver and Coquitlam Tigers on Saturday!!!  It seemed like everyone had a lot of fun, got some sun, and showed off a few good hits. Thank you to all the fans that came out, and the Lions Club for cooking our lunch.  Also, thanks to Christel, Michael, Derick, Destiny and others for staying after the games to see our guests off, hand out pins, and help put away equipment.”
 
Mike Oswald, Athlete Reporter
​Photo credit: Randy Younghusband

​‘April Showers bring May Flowers’ and the spring/summer season for Special O! Despite soggy weather, soccer, softball golf, track and bocce are underway.
 
On, April 4th SOBC Sports Consultant Jacques Thibault spoke at a coach’s meeting on the importance of ‘basic skills’ in sports. As a former Olympian, Jacques is very familiar with the results of hard work and dedication.
 
He emphasized the need for athletes to practice specific skills such as dribbling or catching on their own time. One hour a week practice is not enough. If each athlete had ‘homework’ to practice a skill for even 20 minutes a day, those who dedicate that time will be far more advanced in each of their respective areas.
Thank you Jacques!
 
On April 5th, Local coordinator Pat Stuart and athletes Genny Verge and Christel Jensen attended a dinner meeting hosted by The Lions Club. Both athletes spoke about Special Olympics and it’s benefits. They also thanked the Lions for their donation to SOSC at last summer’s service for Annette Bertrand.
 
On April 8th, four track athletes under the guidance of coach Tania Finnigan ran the April Fools Run, relay style. Amber Maher, Genny Verge, Bruce Stuart and Micheal Oswald each ran one leg of the nearly 22 km from Park Road in Upper Gibsons to Davis Bay.
 
The group, who dubbed themselves The Coast Cannons, blasted out of the starting line and finished the race at a time of 2:24:33. This experience not only benefited them in their respective sports but has also inspired them to look for future challenges as a team.
 
Sechelt soccer is off to great start. Head coach Mike Gojevic sent in this report,
 
“We had an energetic group of 10 athletes work out for the first time this year, on a rather wet field. We are looking forward to a full season of fun, getting some exercise and learning about "The Beautiful Game". In addition to our weekly practices, we are looking forward to a joint game with the Gibson's team against our local RCMP members, and travelling to Abbotsford for a weekend tournament in June.”
 
Upcoming events include a softball tourney on May 12 at Hackett Park where The Ravens will host teams from Coquitlam and possibly North Van and Vancouver; the volunteer Appreciation BBQ at Shirley Macey Park on May 27th with food, fun and bocce in the sun; and Orca swimmer Genny Verge speaking to The “100 Women Who Care” meeting on May 28th.
 
Finally, we welcome three new volunteers this season. Kathy Garmulewicz who will be helping in bocce and softball, Ralf Borowski who will coach rythmic gymnastics and Katie Duncan who will lend her hand in Track & Field.
 
Remember sports fans, rain or shine, the show must go on!