Sunshine Coast Special Olympics Bears competed against members of the RCMP Tuesday, March 13 at Chatelech Secondary School. The event, which marked the Bears’ last floor hockey game of the season, was enjoyed by the enthusiastic spectators who witnessed the skills and sportsmanship the team displayed. The RCMP team entertained the audience with a few playful antics while trying to score goals.
Coaches for the Bears, Mike Gojevic and Darren Lane, have made great strides with the floor hockey team this season. Members of the RCMP – Michael Lavric, Ryan Archer, Nicole Hall, Clint Edward, Kevin Shephern, Andrea Culemans and Ben Stewart – were determined players against their opponents, the Bears.
Jordan McCourt was the goalie for the Bears team while the RCMP borrowed Special Olympic athlete Ryan Van Luven for their goalie. Both goalies performed their positions well. Players for the Bears team were Brandon Lacey, Dustin Archer, Destiny Wallbaum, Stevie Malcom, Marina Stevens, Abby Jeffery and Bryan Ware.
The final period consisted of mixed teams where Special Olympics and RCMP members became the Orange versus the Black. Their efforts were well received and provided the participants with a fun final to the floor hockey season of Special Olympics.
Special thanks to the RMCP for their enthusiastic involvement with the athletes who appreciate having the police as their competitive and skilled opponents.
– By Jeannie Barwise
