The Sunshine Coast Ravens Special Olympics softball team was one of 24 teams that participated in the Regional Qualifier held by Special Olympics B.C. at McLean Park in Port Coquitlam on June 4 and 5.
The Ravens took the first ferry Saturday morning and boarded the Community Living bus to Port Coquitlam, arriving in time to play two min-divisioning games. The 24 teams were placed in four different lettered divisions. Sunshine Coast Ravens made the C division along with eight other teams.
Their first game was with a team from Mission in the round robin event. The Ravens won the game 6-2. It was extremely hot and everyone was exhausted by the time they finally played their last game of the day at 7:15 p.m. against the Surrey Canadians. They lost this game 8-4.
On Sunday morning the Ravens played the Cranbrook Mavericks and won 9-4 showing excellent defence, hitting, running and pitching. They were then in the playoffs for third place against the Surrey Canadians team. They played with great sportsmanship but lost to come fourth in their division.
Everyone enjoyed the experience and special kudos to the coaching staff – head coach Randy Younghusband and assistant coaches Tina and Trevor Beckman – and a big cheer to all the team: Michael Beckman, Christel Jensen, Bruce Stuart, Kara Toes, Carissa from North Shore, Gus Vaughan, Kyara Gray-Richmond, Bryan Ware, Dustin Archer, Amanda Boghean, Steve Malcom and Chris Walker.
