BC Special Olympics November Newsletter 2014

In the words of Special Olympics BC – Surrey athlete Kristina Ettema, the 2014 Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Silver Wheaton was “the awesomest night ever.”

Ettema, an international champion in alpine skiing and national medallist in swimming and curling, served as the event’s keynote speaker alongside Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins, whose sister is a longtime Special Olympics athlete. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to share her perspective on Special Olympics and spend time with the gala supporters and celebrities.

“When people see people with disabilities competing at Special Olympics Games, they understand more. They understand we can do the things other people can do too,” Ettema said in her inspiring speech. “We’re all equal. Everyone does what they can, and everyone has their own individual talents.”

>> Please click here to read the full event recap, check out photos and videos, and meet the generous SCF sponsors.

The 115 Special Olympics BC coaches who took part in the Provincial Coaching Summit held November 1 and 2 in Richmond were the epitome of peer inspiration in action. Not only did these coaches from all around the province learn from the summit’s presenters in order to build skills and tools to take back to their home communities, they inspired each other with their knowledge, ideas, and ongoing commitment to their athletes and programs.

The summit involved valuable sessions led by approachable experts, and the coaches had time to talk and network in order to exchange ideas and best practices for the betterment of all.

>> Read more

Catch Vancouver Giants hockey and help the Delta Police support Special Olympics on December 28! Purchase game tickets through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for $16 each and $5 per ticket goes to Special Olympics BC. Contact Carolyn McCarthy for details by e-mail or by phone at , or contact SOBC – Delta.

Excitement is building for the BC LETR Regional Workshop coming to Kamloops in February alongside the 2015 Special Olympics BC Winter Games. Please contact Carolyn for more information about how to get involved.

Yesterday SOBC – Vancouver athletes Shane Carr and Annabelle Davis helped thank the Vancouver Police Department for their support of Team BC 2014 and the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games. Learn more

The 2015 Special Olympics BC Winter Games are coming to Kamloops February 19 to 21, and approximately 1,000 volunteers will be needed to make the exciting and inspiring event possible. Get involved and make a difference!

Click here to sign up online now

Click here for a printable registration form

More Games info and stories

This holiday season, you can help make a Special Olympics athlete’s dream come true! Your holiday donation to Special Olympics BC will help give an athlete the life-changing experience of competing at the 2015 SOBC Winter Games in Kamloops.

When athletes with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to take part in Special Olympics Games, they change attitudes and inspire everyone with their pride, sportsmanship, abilities, and joy.

We are grateful to all who will consider giving the gift of sport with SOBC on Giving Tuesday (December 2) and throughout this holiday season. Thank you for spreading the word about this opportunity to support the 2015 SOBC Winter Games experience!

>> Donate now

>> Read more

Excitement, pride, and dedication are in the air with the Special Olympics Team Canada 2015 athletes from B.C., who recently took part in their first team training camps to help power up their journey to the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles.

On October 24 to 26, the athletics, golf, powerlifting, and rhythmic gymnastics team members headed to Ontario for their camp at Caledon’s Teen Ranch, followed by the 10-pin bowling and aquatics athletes and coaches the following weekend at the same location. On November 14 to 16, Kelowna played host to the training camp for all the Team Canada team sports – basketball, bocce, soccer, and softball – with all four teams hailing from B.C.

>> Read more

At the close of the BC Lions’ 2014 season, we’d like to thank Jeff Rae and Jim Pattison Hyundai as well as Travis Lulay and the Lions for providing amazing Lions game experiences for our athletes and coaches again this season!

Rae and Jim Pattison Hyundai have generously donated six tickets to every Lions home game for SOBC athletes and volunteers, and the SOBC groups have been so excited about the opportunities to cheer on Lulay and the Lions in person. Big thanks to these generous supporters of Special Olympics!

Pictured at right: Lulay and SOBC – Vancouver athletes on the sidelines at BC Place.

For the first time, Special Olympics BC Athlete Leadership and Youth Activation Council participants came together for a weekend of skill-development, idea-sharing, and inspiration at the SOBC Athlete Leadership & YAC Conference held in Richmond November 21 to 23.

>> Read more

Government of Canada representatives recently took the time to provide information to Special Olympics Canada about the Registered Disability Savings Plan, in order to assist members of our community.

>> Learn more

The latest Special Olympics BC Performance Program camp was hosted November 8 to 9, with alpine and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing coaches picking up more tools and techniques to help their athletes with dryland and sport-specific training, mental performance, and nutrition. Thanks to all the coaches and presenters who gave their time to strengthen support for their athletes at home!

Check out SOBC’s website soon for Performance Program resources and stories from upcoming initiatives.

Pictured at right: SOBC – Vernon cross-country skiing coach Dudley Coulter tuning up skills on wheels.

This month Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver released his new book Fully Alive: Discovering What Matters Most, a mesmerizing journey of self-discovery lead by Special Olympics athletes. Buy the book today and join us in Special Olympics by being part of the World’s Biggest Unified Selfie. Learn more at www.timothyshriver.com.

Shriver will be signing a copy of Fully Alive for any Special Olympics athlete who is interested. Signed copies of the book are available through the Politics and Prose bookstore online here. Athletes can participate in this by using the promo code ATHLETE. Net proceeds from the book sales go to Special Olympics.