Special Olympics B.C. May 2018 Newsletter

The 2018 Special Olympics Canada Bowling Championships were full of sportsmanship, memorable moments, and athletic achievements for Team BC 2018 5- and 10-pin bowlers, who returned home from Prince Edward Island on Sunday.

“I enjoyed every moment of my time there,” said SOBC – Castlegar 5-pin bowler Michael Cook (pictured at right), who took home gold at the Bowling Championships – his very first national competition. “It was extraordinary. I’m still in shock I got a gold medal!”

Team BC rounded up an incredible haul of nine gold medals, eight silver medals, and 14 bronze medals, for a total of 31 medals during their time at the Bowling Championships! Athletes put forth some amazing efforts, with many bowling above their averages and coming home with new personal bests.

Congratulations to Team BC bowlers on all their achievements and an incredible week on the East Coast!

>> Read stories from the Bowling Championships

>> Follow Team BC

It’s the last stretch of the Staples Canada Give a Toonie Share a Dream campaign! This important fundraiser is on until May 27 in Staples stores throughout the country and online at staples.ca/shareadream.

Now in its 18th year, the Give a Toonie Share a Dream campaign helps raise vital funds and awareness for Special Olympics programs throughout the country.

“We are proud to be a corporate sponsor of Special Olympics Canada and to play a role in supporting their important programs,” said David Boone, Chief Executive Officer, Staples Canada.

Big thanks to Staples staff and customers for supporting life-changing Special Olympics programs, and to the many SOBC athletes and volunteers for supporting this important campaign!

>> Read more

Nineteen Special Olympics BC athletes from across the province descended on Victoria for a chance to flex their muscles at the 2018 Vancouver Island Special Olympics Powerlifting meet on May 5. The meet was a prelude to the 2018 Vancouver Island Powerlifting Championships being held the following day.

Joanie Hayes, Competition & Youth Coordinator for SOBC, said it was incredible to see the competitors rally around one another at the event.

“Everybody goes into a competition with the idea of winning, but what struck me was just how supportive all the athletes were of one another,” Hayes said. “Every athlete there was pushing their fellow competitors to do their best. It was an amazing display of sportsmanship.”

>> Read more

The Goldcorp Invitational Golf Tournament is just around the corner, with this fantastic fundraiser in support of Special Olympics BC teeing off June 28! This important event has raised almost $2.8 million for SOBC and helped us change lives through sport across the province.

Anyone interested in on-course competition, tee sponsorship, or donating auction items can please contact Christina Hadley, Vice President, Fund Development & Communications, by phone at 604-737-3073 / 1-888-854-2276 toll-free or email at chadley@specialolympics.bc.ca.

We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our generous sponsors:

• Presenting Sponsor: Goldcorp
• Greens Sponsor: Wheaton Precious Metals
• Silver Sponsors: BMO Capital Markets, Canaccord Genuity, Cassels Brock, CIBC, Scotiabank, TD Securities
• Banquet Sponsor: Deloitte
• Putting Contest Sponsor: Ernst & Young LLP
• Cart Sponsor: Fluor Canada
• Beverage Cart Sponsor: Fort Capital
• Registration Sponsor: National Bank Financial
• Media Sponsor: Postmedia
• Tee Gift Sponsor: RBC Capital Markets
• Driving Range: GMP Securities
• Bag Drop: McIver Capital-Richardson GMP
• Beverage Tent: Macquarie

>> Learn more

The end of a pilot project for Special Olympics BC is just around the corner. SOBC has been in Richmond and Surrey hosting Try-It-Day sessions, in hopes of reaching traditionally underserved communities in the Lower Mainland.

The aim of the program is to provide individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ages the opportunity to try Special Olympics programs. In both Richmond and Surrey, SOBC is hoping to bridge gaps by incorporating volunteers who can speak Hindi, Punjabi, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tagalog.

Scott Howe, Managing Partner of the Howe International Consulting Group, has been working on the project with SOBC and says it’s exciting to see new communities embrace the idea of inclusion.

To register or for more information contact Chelsea Rogers, Community Development Coordinator, at 604-802-4226 / 1-888-854-2276 toll-free or email crogers@specialolympics.bc.ca.

>> Read more

June will be an exciting month for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics BC with inspiring events taking place across the province!

Lower Mainland Torch Run

Cheer on law enforcement members and SOBC athletes as they carry the Flame of Hope through 16 Lower Mainland communities! This four-day event will roll through Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, Surrey, and White Rock on June 5, Burnaby, North Vancouver, Vancouver and West Vancouver on June 6, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, and Port Moody on June 7, and Delta, Ladner, New Westminster, and Richmond on June 8.

Prince George Torch Run

Everyone is welcome to take part in the Prince George Torch Run on June 7! This fun 3.5-kilometre run/walk with Prince George RCMP members will be followed by a barbecue by donation.

Abbotsford Police Challenge Run

Join Abbotsford Police Department members for this five-kilometre run/walk on June 9! Now in its 28th year, this annual event will include fun activities for the whole family and prizes for top fundraisers.

Cranbrook Torch Run

Lace up for the Cranbrook Torch Run on June 26! This three-kilometre run will be followed by a barbecue and softball game with Cranbrook RCMP members.

>> Learn more about BC LETR events

Prince Rupert played host to the latest Special Olympics BC Healthy Athletes screening on May 13.

Through Healthy Athletes, health care professionals receive training about the specific health care concerns of people with intellectual disabilities and how to ask the right questions, helping them draw out issues. Their interactions with Special Olympics athletes lead to referrals back into the health care system that ensures the individuals will get the treatment they need.

Sarah Russell, Health & Engagement Coordinator for SOBC, said the response to the event was positive.

“There’s a real appetite for these events in the communities,” said Russell. “The coaches and athletes that came through were really engaged in the program.”

>> Read more

We are excited to announce that the fun and inspiring motionball Marathon of Sport will be coming to Victoria this summer!

Taking place on August 11 at the University of Victoria campus, this day-long sporting event will bring local Special Olympics athletes together with young professionals for a memorable day of friendship, inclusion, and fun.

For more information and to get involved contact Meg Ishida, Fundraising Coordinator at 604-314-4535 / 1-888-854- 2276 toll-free or email mishida@specialolympics.bc.ca.

>> Read more and support participants

A sincere thank you to all of the New Car Dealers and supporters who contributed to the rousing success of the 2018 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction! This year’s event raised more than $182,000, raising the three-decade total to more than $4.9 million in support of Special Olympics BC and the work of the New Car Dealers Foundation.

The 2018 auction included 248 popular items in the following categories: Automotive and Business, Food and Wine, Lifestyle, Media, Sport and Travel, and Online Only.

A heartfelt thank you to the many Dealers who generously supported this year’s auction by making a cash pledge, donating auction items, soliciting donations, and/or bidding on items.

Our deepest thanks also go to the dedicated auction committee, who so generously give countless hours to make this event a success for the charities:

• Manse Binkley, Harmony Honda and Harmony Acura
• Doug Bower, Vancouver Sun and The Province
• Marnie Carter, Carter Auto Family
• John Chesman
• Pamela Keith, Dueck Auto Group
• Christina Hadley, Special Olympics BC
• Dan Howe, Special Olympics BC
• Joe Mitchell, Carter Auto Family
• Blair Qualey, New Car Dealers Association
• John Wynia, Harbourview Volkswagen

>> Read more

A trio of Special Olympics BC volunteers were honoured for their hard work and dedication to enriching the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

SOBC – Abbotsford’s Donna Bilous and SOBC – Kamloops Marilyn McLean were inducted into their respective community’s Sports Hall of Fame recently, while Sylvia Anderson of SOBC – Langley was honoured with the coveted Eric Flowerdew Volunteer Award.

>> Read more

We’re excited and grateful to be a beneficiary of the upcoming 12 North Sports Classic!

This multi-event extravaganza brings together celebrities and professional athletes from various sports for a series of fun, unique events taking place across the Lower Mainland and in northern B.C.

This year’s 12 North Sports Classic will take place from June 22 to 27 and will feature a golf tournament, youth sports camp, fantasy football draft, and fishing competition.

Click here for more details or contact Meg Ishida, Fundraising Coordinator at 604-314-4535 / 1-888-854-2276 toll-free or email mishida@specialolympics.bc.ca.

This year’s Speed Skating Regional Qualifier in Richmond brought together skaters from across the province for the opportunity to secure a spot for the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games, set for Greater Vernon on February 21 to 23.

Joanie Hayes, Competition & Youth Coordinator at SOBC, said 26 skaters from across the province took part in the Regional Qualifier.

Hayes said she is impressed with the commitment of the athletes, travelling from as far away as Nelson and Dawson Creek to compete.

“It shows what kind of dedication they have to their sport,” Hayes said. “No matter the results, there’s never any complaints about the results. Everyone on the ice was encouraging each other to do their best.

She said it’s that kind of sportsmanship that makes the competition about much more than just winning and losing.

>> Read more

There’s still time to sign up for the new Special Olympics Canada revamped SOC Competition Sport workshop happening in Comox in June. The goal was to ensure the content was up-to-date and relevant to our coaches.

The previous National Coaching Certificate Program course was a two-day, 16-hour course, while the new course is aimed to be delivered in a day-and-a-half.

This spring, trial runs of the new workshop will run in Comox on June 9 and 10. Facilitators will then assess the new format to ensure a consistent delivery.

Watch our SOBC calendar for courses to be held this fall around the province. Coaches selected to their Regional teams for the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games in Greater Vernon will need to complete this course.

Contact Leslie Thornley, Sport Manager at 250-317-1272 / 1-888-854-2276 toll-free or email lthornley@specialolympics.bc.ca to be put on the waitlist for upcoming courses.

The Knights of Columbus and Special Olympics have a long-standing and important relationship, dating all the way back to the founding of Special Olympics in 1968. Today they continue to be a valued international partner and a source of great support here in B.C.

The BC/Yukon Knights of Columbus recently invited Special Olympics BC to speak about our life-changing programs at their 107th annual State Council AGM and Convention in Richmond, where SOBC – Surrey athletes Jesse and Zack Thibeault (pictured) shared their Special Olympics experiences and gratitude with the audience.

We greatly appreciate the support from the Knights of Columbus, and we look forward to making a difference together for many years to come.

By Jacques Thibault, Special Olympics BC Sport Consultant

Jacques Thibault, an internationally recognized training and speed skating expert with a Master’s degree in science, works with Special Olympics BC athletes and coaches to help empower them to be their very best.

Special Olympics athletes need a good aerobic capacity for sports such as soccer, long distance running, swimming, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and many others.

After about three minutes of continuous exercise, the aerobic system supplies most or all of the energy to the muscles. A continuous supply of oxygen and fuel is necessary for the aerobic system to operate.

The oxygen requirements of the body increases as the workload increases. There is a limiting rate when oxygen can no longer be transported and used by the muscles any faster – known as the VO2 max.

>> Read more