​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

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!

​The fall/winter season went out with a splash as the Orca and Chinook swimmers fun meet showcased incredible talent.
 
A final game for the Gibsons Basketball team saw them matched with the Gibsons Firefighters and set up and primed them for a rematch next season.
 
On March 13th at Chatelech Secondary, our local RCMP also joined in for the final floor hockey match of the season with The Sunshine Coast Bears.
 
Head coach Mike Gojevic reported that it was a great game, with the RCMP members being very active participants. A vocal crowd cheered on the SOBC team, who showed great improvement over the past year. “Thanks to Cst. Sheperd and the entire Sunshine Coast detachment”
 
These events illustrate the aspect of inclusion that is Special Olympics.
 
The final curling game in Gibsons meant that it was Funny Hat Day with light-up Shamrock Sunglasses provided by Sandi Cavalier to acknowledge St. Patrick’s Day! That means the spring/summer season is with us once again.
 
By the time you read this, golf, bocce, track & field, softball & soccer will be underway. This season is especially important because the National Games in Nova Scotia are near. Training continues for Amanda Boghean and Chris Walker with the Vancouver Go Go’s. Swimmers Genny Verge and Stephanie Rogers will travel to Kelowna this month for a pre-nationals meet.
 
Jacques Thibault, a sports consultant for Special Olympics, is travelling around the province to consult with coaches and trainers to discover how SOBC can help them work more effectively with their athletes. Before joining SOBC he worked for “Own The Podium” with Olympic athletes from around the world.
 
While visiting our regular fitness program in March, with instructor Tania Finnigan, Jacques talked to some of the athletes and heard stories of their accomplishments. Jacques said that training for athletes on practice days and on their own time is essential. He believes that mixing hard work and training means Special O athletes can compete with the best of the best!
 
It was inspiring to have such a keen eye observing.
 
The April Fools Run takes place on April 8th, with track athletes, Bruce Stuart, Genny Verge, Amber Maher and Micheal Oswald taking part in the relay run. Thanks to coach Tania Finnigan for the weekly training.
 
We also look forward to hearing from Michael Brooks and Derick Pye who will attend a Leadership Conference this month and take part in training for peer mentoring. They will be accompanied by coach Mike Gojevic.
 
Well that’s all for now, stay strong and stay active!