On Thursday, Feb. 2, Sunshine Coast Special Olympics basketball players from Sechelt and Gibsons gathered with officers of the local RCMP detachment to play a friendly game of hoops, in what seems to be an annual event.
On the court there were hijinks by many of the constabulary towards one another and at one point it was all RCMP playing on the court, which led to many a chortle.
The two teams, Red and Blue, were made up of a mix of athletes from Sechelt and Gibsons and officers Kevin, Ed, Vishal, Glen, Harrison, Sherry, Scott, Darcy and Tessa. It’s always an honour and a heartwarming event when the RCMP teams up with our awesome athletes.
The play was fast and furious and filled with non-stop action, near misses and amazing baskets. And music was also a fun aspect of the evening. Before the game, Kody Pries, an athlete of the Red team, led his players in singing our national anthem. After the game, the crowd, to the tune of Happy Birthday, serenaded one red-faced officer, Harrison.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of so many coaches – Marilyn Downey, Marion West, Samantha Mills and Laurie Miller. Coach Laurie of the Gibsons team for the past eight years said that her favourite memory was the first tournament she attended with her team because it was “the first time I saw the athletes at their full potential.” That’s what coaches help us do.
The final question is, will there be an appearance of the RCMP with our Sunshine Coast Orcas swimming team? Time will tell.
