On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Sunshine Coast Air Cadets came to curl with our Special O athletes. Shannon Roady had asked SOSC local coordinator Randy Younghusband at another sport event if the cadets could make a connection with our athletes. Fortunately, it was all arranged. The cadets were accompanied by Second Lieutenant of the Canadian Armed Forces and Vice Chief/Training Officer Sarah Bradley. Sarah said she enjoyed seeing the camaraderie and care that our curlers showed to each other and her charges. When asked if she would consider playing again, she quickly and unequivocally said “yes.” Later, Sarah and her cadets enjoyed Special Olympics “Choose To Include” donuts and hot beverages at Tim Hortons.
On Feb. 9, Orca swim team members Kaiden August, Amber Fenton, Lindsay Pearson, Cloe Rogers, Stephanie Rogers (no relation), Lisa Wortley and Genny Verge competed at a swim meet at Surrey Sports and Leisure Centre. All came away with new personal bests! For Kaiden and Cloe, this was their very first off-Coast competition. The next opportunity for the swimmers to hone their skills will be on March 16 in Coquitlam.
Speaking of swimming, we are excited by the addition of two new assistant coaches, Patrick and Keegan, to the Orca Swim team. Both of them are kind, outgoing and helpful and their smiles go a long way in encouraging athletes to achieve their best.
As basketball in Gibsons heated up, Sechelt athletes rode the highway on Feb. 11, to shoot some friendly baskets. Everyone was on their A Game in the combination of talent and friendship shown by the athletes. Also, on Feb. 25, our local RCMP constabulary hit the court for a great night of drills and scrimmage.
Congratulations to Derick Pye, athlete and resident peer mentor for the last 14 years. Derick has been recognized as the first ever Volunteer of the Month at the Sechelt Seniors Centre! Derick has helped prepare delicious meals for lucky seniors every Wednesday for the last 12 years and “chips” in on special occasions such as the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in June. He can also be found working at the meat department in SuperValu in Gibsons. Derek is an example of so many of our athletes who participate in and contribute to our community in many different ways outside of sports. We have jobs, we volunteer and we socialize with friends both in and outside of the Divers-abilty Community. You never know where you might see us. But when you do, Say, “Hello!”
In another community engagement, Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living (SCACL) and Sunshine Coast Special Olympics joined forces on Feb. 27 to launch the second consecutive Polar Plunge Fundraiser for Special O.
The Sechelt pier at Friendship Park was chock full of chilly swimming enthusiasts and supporters. Noel, Mason, Randy Younghusband and many others from SCACL helped set up booths and fire pits and a collection of photos from SOSC past and present were on display along with scrapbooks of previous newspaper articles.
Before all the swimmers plunged, Randy Younghusband gave a short speech thanking participants and supporters. As athlete Chris Walker counting to three, all who braved the icy water ran in, with some remaining for a short duration, while more seasoned daily plungers stayed for much longer!
Lots of fun was had afterwards, with many snacking on pizza, hot chocolate and coffee and socializing. All monies collected go towards supporting Special O athletes by paying for uniforms, equipment, venue rentals and travel expenses for competitions.
Huge thanks goes out to the Daring Dippers of the Salish Sea, the Blue Titty Committee, District of Sechelt Otters, The Ministry of Children & Family Development and the local RCMP for getting Freezin’ for a Reason.
February was busy, March will be similar and as spring break approaches spring and summer sports programs will return. Golf, softball, track, soccer and bocce are sure to be fun in the sun.
It’s called Special Olympics for many reasons. Mostly it’s because seeing each athlete succeed in something they love is pretty darned special.
