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!
 

​With great satisfaction, Special Olympics Sunshine Coast announces that Orca swim team member Genny Verge is one of 11 athletes from BC and 1 of 109 athletes from all of Canada to be selected to attend the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi from March 14-21! Genny says, “It’s an absolute honour to be representing Canada at such a high level of competition.”
 
To read the whole story about “… the largest sport and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2019”, visit the Special Olympics website, www.specialolympics.ca/bc.
 
Olympic rower Marnie McBean chosen as an Honorary Coach, said, “It’s a particular honour since it’s the 50th year of the movement and I know how hard the athletes and coaches who have earned their positions on this team have been working.”
 
Meanwhile, rain or shine, the new season of Sunshine Coast Special Olympics is about to launch.
 
Athletes and their families showed up at the SCACL offices on September 20th and signed up for their favourite sports from a wide selection including floor hockey, golf, soccer and track.
 
Randy Younghusband, continuing head softball coach, while maintaining the same level of energy and fun will also bring that same sense to the world of Sechelt basketball!
 
Swim coach Gary Rogers said this is a ‘non-qualifying’ year so there will be less pressure imposed on all his athletes (except Genny). He plans to take his swimmers to as many meets as possible.
 

The Special Olympics universe is vast, encompassing many aspects of life, from health, community inclusion, athleticism, and many kinds of support.
 
Soccer and floor hockey head coach Mike Gojevic, recently made his debut at the National Transplant Games at UBC where he snagged a gold and two silvers in golf, lawn bowling and 10-pin. No mean feat.
 
Mike not only devotes major time to Special O but is also an active participant and was this year’s B.C.’s team manager during that monumental event for transplant survivors.

Fifty years of Special Olympics – Wow! I remember a bowling alley in Gibsons in the nineties where I got my first taste.

Back then, bowling was the only sport we had. Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and parents, after bowling was over, there were lots more sports to play. Years later, in 2008, I again joined our esteemed ranks at the age of twenty-six. By that time there was softball, track and field, golf, swimming and other sports. But we’ll get to that later. I’m getting ahead of myself.

Fifty years ago, a woman named Eunice Kennedy Shriver had a sister named Rosemary who had an intellectual disability. Eunice sought inclusion for all those with an I.D. She founded the Special Olympics as a tribute to that ideal and her love for her sibling.

Meanwhile in the north end of the world, Dr. Frank Hayden from the University of Toronto was working on research that undid the claim that people with intellectual disabilities could not compete in sports. On July 20, 1968, the first Special O world games were held on Soldier Field in Chicago. A year later, Dr. Frank started a chapter in Canada.

Present day, Sunshine Coast: there are sixty plus athletes, forty-five volunteers, and eleven sports in Special Olympics Sunshine Coast. We have had athletes attend competitions in the Lower Mainland, Kamloops, and as far away as Greece.

I myself have been to two Provincial Games, once in 2013 and again in 2017. I am a swimmer and track and field athlete, and I also play bocce. I am a proud Special Olympian and that’s something I will be for as long as I breathe.

So this is a call to ALL chapters, regions, and locals in the Special O universe and those wishing to know more. Volunteer, become an athlete, and you’ll find a world that will not only open your eyes but open your heart. Together world wide let’s celebrate the oath we have lived for fifty years…

​Let me win. If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

Michael Oswald

​Special Olympics athletes travelling to the National Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia from July 30-August 6 were honoured at the SOSC Annual General Meeting on June 25. Swimmers Genny Verge and Stephanie Rogers, and softball players Amanda Boghean and Chris Walker are pictured here with Head swim Coach Cathy Verge and Provincial Executive Members Chelsea Rogers and Darren Inouye after receiving their fancy travel bags containing all they will need for their big adventure..
 
Missing from photo Golf athlete Gus Vaughn and Head Golf Coach Darren Lane.
 
Photo Credit: Pat Stuart

Special Olympic Sunshine Coast athletes, coaches and executive members accepted The Lions Club invitation to walk in the Canada Day Parade in Sechelt on July 1st. The Lions have been dedicated supporters of all things Special O and the athletes were pleased to be a part of this event.

​Hello readers! Final column before the spring/summer season winds up. However, Nationals training will continue for those athletes travelling to Nova Scotia.
 
On May 12th, the Ravens hosted a softball tourney at Hackett Park. Coquitlam Tigers and Vancouver BC Thunder each played a game against the Ravens. There were great plays, homeruns and fun. Thanks to coach Randy for stepping up as umpire, Leenea from the Lions Club, Kathy for being First Aid Attendant and Tina for managing the players bench.
 
At the game I interviewed athlete coach, Derick Pye who recently returned from a leadership conference on Peer Mentoring with fellow athlete coach Michael Brooks and coach Mike Gojevic. When asked what he took away from the experience Derick replied that he “learned different techniques” to encourage participation in warm-ups.
 
Coach Mike reported that Michael and Derick both started with Special O as athletes but as they have grown, they discovered an ability and desire to give back. Both bring very positive attitudes to their sports and both are positive influences on our athletes. They were excellent Ambassadors for the Sunshine Coast as they learned about the importance of Mentorship.
 
Recently at a fundraiser, Hike For Hospice, I was impressed by the important work that so many volunteers undertake with this organization. It was heartwarming to see so much support from everyone, the Lions Club, musicians and even some zany clowns.
 
This is a perfect example of the power of volunteerism. Whether it is the SPCA, Hospice or my particular forté, Special Olympics, NONE of them would be possible without these fantastic souls. To give freely of ones time in order to enrich the lives of others is by far the greatest choice a fellow human can make. So take time to thank a volunteer.
 
Special Olympics honoured our own volunteers on Sunday May 27th at Shirley Macey Park, with an Appreciation BBQ, bocce and terrific weather! Tina Beckman, Mike Gojevic, Daryl Lowey, Sheena McDonald, Dave Sandness, Debbie Schoenberger & Catherine Duncombe were acknowledged for 5 years of contribution, and Sheri Archer, Marylin Downey, Helene Johnston, Judy McDonald, George Proudfoot and Marion West for their decade of service.
 
I spoke with the two Gibsons District Volunteer Firefighters Dale and Lee, who ran the BBQ, and asked what drove them to donate their time. Dale as it turns out is the dad of Amanda, one of the athletes, so his reasons are self-evident. Lee has played Bball with several of the athletes and thought it only right to come and help out. Thank you to both of you!
 
Some things we are looking forward to in June are a Bocce tournament on June 10th in Burnaby and our AGM on June 25t.h. There will be a soccer game preceding the meeting between Sechelt and Gibsons teams.

​Michael Oswald