As the fall season arrives, Special Olympics is moving towards a new beginning, albeit a little differently than we hoped.
Registration at SCACL offices went off without a hitch. Twenty-two athletes sent in their registration forms, while Allyson Pearson and Pat Stuart did a dynamite job of getting 12 in-person athletes “taken care of and on their way.” That’s a total of 34 athletes rarin’ to go! Local coordinator Randy Younghusband took some terrific photos.
Sadly, some sport programs are not available as a result of lower registration numbers or unavailability of coaches. These programs are Active Start, golf, FUNdamentals, floor hockey and rhythmic gymnastics.
Sechelt and Gibsons basketball and soccer teams have been combined to accommodate fewer athletes. They will now gather together at Gibsons Elementary. The school gym is not available for public use just yet but we are hopeful by November it might be possible. Stay tuned! Swimming will resume in January.
This season our track and field coach will be in need of an assistant coach who is able to demonstrate and lead the athletes in the physical activities such as stretching, running and field events.
Curling was looking at a promising start date of Oct. 23. However, participating athletes will now have to supply their own equipment. In the past we have borrowed brooms, sliders, grippers, sticks and crutch handles from the Gibsons Curling Club. With the current COVID restrictions we will need to search out new equipment options before this program will be able to begin.
Special Olympics on the Coast really needs more volunteers! Whether it’s coaching, assistant coaching or just assisting, our programs are counting on you! If you or someone you know wishes to climb on board with SOSC please contact Marney Qually at: [email protected].
Each sport, indoor or outdoor, will have a designated Safety Volunteer whose duty it is to ensure just that, the safety of athletes, coaches and volunteers alike. As per current COVID-19 guidelines, proof of vaccination will need to be provided by either athlete or caregiver to participate in any program. At the first practice of each sport, athletes and coaches will have to show their BC Vaccine Card as well as valid government-issued photo ID.
Even with all these regulations and guidelines in place, registration coordinator Allyson Pearson said, the common feeling is, “When can we get back to our sports? We are more than ready!”
“Vénátor Honestus” (or sportsmanship in Latin) runs in our blood. We. Are. Ready!
