Welcome to November. It’s getting colder out there and the days are getting shorter but SOBC SC shows zero signs of slowing down.
 
Softball Head Coach and Local Coordinator Randy Younghusband attended a SOBC Conference focusing on how well S.O. is working and how to continue to strengthen its structure using Recruitment and Fundraising as two strategies.
 
These include, making the public aware of our message and the benefits of joining the organization such as seeing an athlete smile. It is also important to help the community understand how vital fundraising is to us and the many other ways they can help. For example, community partnerships between groups such as First Responders and athletes, for such activities as the polar plunge, can encourage participation.
 
Locally, volunteerism continues to grow. Thank You to Chuck Bertrand, a fierce advocate and beloved coach for his generous donation and for taking on a volunteer role for golf! Thanks as well to Ann Simonet for signing up as a golf volunteer and to Katie Duncan our newest volunteer! We look forward to seeing you at many of our programs.
 
All together, 36 athletes and 16 coaches and volunteers make up our current roster. Among these are some cool customers. The curling coaches and volunteers Randy Younghusband, Jean Hage, John Stewart, Barb Bell (who has since also signed up for golf) as well as head coach Dave Sandness, are at the Gibsons Curling rink on the ice giving their all every Saturday. Shooting the fair one, Richard Hoath assisting Sam Giampa with Gibsons Basketball (which is now Thursdays from 6:30-7:45pm) and Jane Mead assisting with Sechelt Basketball are all helping their athletes score those great baskets!
 
As you may have noticed, the holiday season is rapidly approaching. Unfortunately, Special Olympics here on the Coast will not have a party this year. In the past, these get-togethers were full of frivolity, music, and food and of course the big guy in red.  Instead, we can sit around our living rooms and reminisce of days passed and look forward to “Fun in the Sun” next June!
 
Meanwhile you can enjoy a couple of photos from days gone by.
 
The weather outside is ‘frightful’;
SOSC’S so delightful,
I just want to let you know,
SPECIAL O SPECIAL O SPECIAL O!

I know many have been awaiting this news. SPRING SPORTS ARE STARTING IN MARCH!!!!
 
All sports will run for 12 weeks with the exception of swimming.
Here’s the breakdown so far. Some times and venues are yet to be confirmed.
 
Mondays 6-7:30 pm: Soccer in Gibsons from April 4-June 20
Head Coach Richard Hoath
Sechelt athletes will travel to Gibsons
 
Tuesdays 6:30-800 pm: Softball in Sechelt from April 5 to June 21
Head Coach Randy Younghusband
 
Wednesdays 6-7pm: Swimming in Sechelt from March 16th to May 18th
Head Coach Cathy Verge.
 
Thursdays 6-7pm: Track & Field from March 24th to June 23rd
Head Coach Tania Finnigan.
 
Saturdays 10:30 am-12:00 pm: Bocce from April 2nd to June 25th
Head Coach Judy MacDonald
 
To make certain you are registered ahead of time, contact Allyson Pearson imaparadis@dccnet.com
 
Special O is always looking for fresh faces. The Executive would welcome a new Volunteer and Program coordinator. We are also looking for assistant coaches for bocce and softball. Please contact Pat Stuart pat_stuart@dccnet.com
 
As spring sports bloom, the ever-popular curling comes to an end on March 19. Athletes and coaches will celebrate with their traditional Crazy Hat day.
 
Unfortunately, the in-person Athlete Leadership Summit had to be rescheduled. However, Genny Verge will still be able to participate in the near future.
 
The return of the Polar Plunge, sponsored by Prospera Credit Union, is the 2022 fundraiser for SOBC. This year it is even more than a fundraiser. It is a way for many SOBC athletes to interact albeit not all together as pandemic restrictions have made this difficult.
 
Fundraise within your community from March 5th to 20th and come up with COOL and creative ideas for your plunge!  Share on social media and tag Special Olympics BC! 
Register at www.plunge4specialolympics.com.
 
Special Olympic athletes have abilities in many areas other than their chosen sports and although February was Inclusion month we must keep top of mind that Inclusion should happen every month of the year. Many athletes can become isolated if they lack employment opportunities through no fault of their own. We are grateful for those on the Sunshine Coast who embrace the abilities of people with disabilities. Choose to Include!
 
On a more somber note, we honour the memory of Nancy Inglis. Executive Secretary, Pat Stuart released this statement: Nancy was a much-appreciated, member of our Special Olympics Sunshine Coast local.   She started as our executive secretary in September of 2015.  She was always very eloquent and kept excellent records for the organization.  
She also volunteered as an assistant coach with the bocce program for a number of years. She was very supportive of the athletes and made everyone feel included.  We will definitely miss her.

The Orca’s Mission to Adopt A Block has passed our goal of $5,500. The Go Fund Me Orcas page shows $5,935! Other donations will bring the total even higher. Coach Cathy will have more information soon.
 
The swim event on the 29th saw 10 dedicated swimmers - 7 athletes and 3 guests give it their all. Genny Verge, Lisa Wortley, Stephanie Rogers, Angus McTavish, Lindsay Pearson, Hailey Borowski & Mike Oswald, Marilyn & Jack Adams, and Catherine Duncombe, swam in pairs, a half hour each, for a combined total of 5 hours of continuous movement!
 
I was excited that I was able to complete a kilometer in 30 minutes after a year and a half of no swimming,! Kudos to my companion in the next lane Genny Verge for a kilometer and & a half! Because of COVID, I was unable to interview all the other participants but reports are they swam hard and true!
 
The Provincial Challenge Games are underway. Athletes across B.C. are exercising, stretching, drinking water, trying recipes, and collecting points for their Region! Yes, one region will come out on top, but remember our oath! “Let us be brave in the attempt” and realize as long as we are moving, we are winning!
 
The pandemic has done it’s best to keep us apart, but with the emergence of platforms such as Zoom, athletes and coaches adapt! Gibsons Basketball team and Coaches Richard Hoath & Samantha Giampa, have been meeting on Zoom every week since December for a half hour. Fitness and companionship are the main goals. The athletes’ favourite aspects of the meetings are: Seeing each other, exercising, stretching and jokes from Richard Hoath. Overall they give the experience two thumbs up!
 
Special Olympics Sunshine Coast will hold their Annual General Meeting on June 17th at 7pm on Zoom. Athletes and volunteers who have been involved for the past 1–2 years, and have an interest in staying with Special O, will vote in the new executive. For more information please contact Katie Borowski at katborowski@hotmail.com. Topics for the meeting include discussion about the past 2 years, where we go from here, reports from the current coordinators as well as election of the new executive. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, coach or executive member, contact Marney Qually at ronandmarney@gmail.com
 
With vaccines comes hope that soon we can hit the courts, track, softball diamonds and lanes together once more. Till we see each other again, stay safe & kind.

Athlete Reporter Mike Oswald

These Sunshine Coast Special Olympics Curling Team members are ready for their first ever trip to the SOBC Winter Games in Vernon.
The Games will run from February 21-24.
​Darlene Nelson, Head Coach Pat Stuart, Shelley McCuaig, Bruce Stuart and Wes Harrison decked out in their brand new uniforms, sharpened their skills this past weekend at a bonspiel in Langley, where they won two out of three games.

Special O Basketball Gibsons Team & Gibsons Firefighters
 
Thursday, December 6th at Gibsons Elementary saw the Gibsons Basketball team play a great game of hoops with members of the Gibsons Firefighters. There were great passes, baskets and plays made on both sides.

​Can you feel it? Nearing the end of 2018 and December is busy! November however was not without its charms. New executive member, Katie Borowski wanted to support Special Olympics. “The best way I knew how to do this was working as program coordinator.” Katie enjoys visiting to each sport and watching the athletes in action. Her goal? “To promote Special Olympics athletes of all ages, especially those in the programs for younger ages.”
 
Floor hockey fans will be happy to know their athletes are working hard. Drills and scrimmages, concentrate on 3 goals; have fun, get exercise and learn a thing or two. Head Coach Mike Gojevic has coached this team for four years and is thrilled with the athletes’ progress. He is looking forward to having the RCMP play his team in March.
 
Long time floor hockey player Bryan Ware enjoys having fun and just “being with the coach and fellow athletes”
 
Kyle VanderHeide, a floor hockey player for two years running, “loves it.” He enjoys the exercise and “running around and playing”
 
Athlete coaches Michael Brooks and Derick Pye both enjoy seeing “the development and progression of athletes over time.”
 
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a great way to spend a Tuesday evening. The head coach Ralf Borowski has many goals for his athletes this season but always starting with fundamental movements in the ribbon, ball and hoop routines and becoming more advanced over time.
 
After his daughter Hailey joined last year, coach Grace Gardner asked Ralf to help out. When fire-fighting duties took Grace off Coast, Ralf was invited to become the new head coach. Ralf took two rhythmic gymnastic coaching courses this summer to improve his skills and now says this is the highlight of his week.
 
First year athlete Talia Nielsen joined up because she thought it would be fun to be with her friend Hailey. Her favourite routine is the ribbon. Linsey Davidson an 8-year veteran and provincial games medal winner like Talia also prefers the ribbon.
 
Fitness is paramount to any athlete, and no one understands that better than a fitness coach. Unfortunately, regular Monday fitness coach, Tania Finnigan had to leave the program for a while, because, life. Fortunately, for us, regular Friday fitness instructor, Verna Chan, owner of The Garage Fitness, agreed to step in on Mondays as well. We thank her for sharing her time.
 
The swimming highlight of November was a fun swim meet between the Orca athletes and the Chinook swimmers with lots of friendly competition and cheering from both teams. After freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly a100-metre medley and even freestyle kick there was yummy pizza from Saffron Restaurant.
 
This month, come on out to cheer on the Gibsons Firefighters and the Gibsons Bball team on December 6th at the Gibsons Elementary Gym.
 
And finally, our amazing Christmas banquet will be at the Sechelt Legion on the 15th (with the big red dude making an appearance I heard).
 
Special Olympics continues to be a force to be reckoned with! See you all next year! 

​Special Olympics is in full swing! Swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, floor hockey, curling and basketball are going full steam ahead! Here are some October highlights.
 
SOBC Sports consultant, Jacques Thibault talked with coaches about his new book, “Changing Expectations in Special Olympics”.  It discusses the importance of learning the basics first and challenging athletes to be their best.
 
World’s swimmer Genny Verge traveled to a training camp in Caledon, Ontario where she worked with coaches and trainers on fitness, nutrition and proficiency in the water! Genny’s favourite memory is “seeing everyone bond as a team.”
 
Executive members Pat Stuart and Katie Borowski attended a Conference in Richmond for the 50th Anniversary of SOBC. They will be sharing what they learned with the Local about athletes’ views on Special O; how to improve their health, performance and leadership skills; sports development and something close to my heart, anti-bullying.
 
Douglas College Women’s Basketball team held their 5th annual skills camp at the Roberts Creek Elementary gym. Sechelt and Gibsons players participated in warm ups, drills and scrimmages. Gibsons coach Samantha Mills said it was “fun & informative”. She also said this was the first year for many of the Douglas College players but they brought much enthusiasm and some new ideas for drills that the coaches can use with their teams. SOSC greatly appreciates the ongoing support from these fantastic athletes.
 
The Orcas’ return to the pool has been slow and steady with new and seasoned swimmers getting back to basics. The first Fun Meet of this non-qualifying year will happen on December 10th at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre.
 
One largely unnoticed group is our dedicated volunteer Executive: Pat Stuart Local Coordinator; Helene Johnston, Treasurer; Nancy Inglis, Secretary, Katie Borowski, Program Coordinator; Allyson Pearson, Registration Coordinator; Kim Fenton, Volunteer Coordinator; & Helen Halet, PR Coordinator. These talented, organized individuals make sure all the i’s are dotted, the t’s crossed and keep everything running behind the scenes. Our ‘senior’ officials are always on the lookout for fresh faces to help carry the torch. Volunteers of all sorts in all areas of the organization are welcome. Whether you enjoy a particular sport and wish to help out once or twice a week or have your sights set on an executive role, contact Pat Stuart at 604 886-2098 or pat_stuart@dccnet.com Thank you all!
 
Over the next few months I hope to visit all the sports venues to bring you the stories behind the story. You can also check out our website www.specialolympicssunshinecoast.ca to find out when an event or practice is happening. Thanks to dedicated coach/volunteer, Richard Hoath who regularly posts updates. Come out and support us!