During National Coaches Week and all year round, we celebrate and thank the thousands of Special Olympics BC coaches who change lives in communities throughout our province!
The annual National Coaches Week is a time to say #ThanksCoach for their positive impact and the gift of their time and talents.
In National Coaches Week 2023, Special Olympics BC shared stories about our outstanding coaches and the enduring impact of their time, skills, and heart!
Be inspired by SOBC coaches
Meet some of the inspiring individuals who give their time as Special Olympics BC coaches, such as 2023 SOBC Howard Carter Award winner Gale Jones and Grassroots Award winner Kevin Phillips!
More profiles
- Cheryl Chan
- Drew Stotesbury
- Sandra Schuffert
- Gerry Bell
- Debra Colvin
- Jennifer Fyfe
- Mark Schnurr
- Annabel Stanley
Win a Coffee for Your Coach contest
Special Olympics BC athletes were invited to submit stories about their life-changing coaches, for a chance to win a Tim Hortons gift card for their coach! Read the winning entry by SOBC – Trail athlete Paula Prough
Coaching Association of Canada education
Coaches are welcome to explore the CAC's eLearning modules that are always free, including:
- NCCP Making Head Way
- NCCP Emergency Action Plan
- Support Through Sport series
- Mental Health in Sport – now available in 10 languages
The following 4 NCCP multi-sport modules have been revised with an added emphasis on mental health and are also being delivered for free in-person and online until March 31, 2024, as part of the CAC’s Mental Health and Sport Project:
- NCCP Basic Mental Skills
- NCCP Make Ethical Decisions
- NCCP Planning a Practice
- NCCP Teaching and Learning
SOBC resources
To support SOBC coaches, SOBC has developed resources such as:
- Coach Development Workshops: year-round event series connecting SOBC coaches with peers and with sport-specific experts
- SOBC Sport and Fitness Skill Badge Program: tool for coaches to help athletes progress and celebrate achievements
- SOBC Coach Mentorship: coaches empowering coaches!
- NCCP Special Olympics Competition Sport Workshop
- Coach Certification: opportunities to build skills through required courses
- Coach Diary: a compilation of mental training resources for coaches
And much more in the SOBC website resources
The impact of SOBC coaches
Chris Higgins has lengthy experience with coaches, as a former Vancouver Canucks player and current Canucks Assistant Director of Player Development, and as the brother of Special Olympics New York athlete Jeanne. He kindly took the time to share his thoughts on the life-changing difference you make. Have a listen!
Join these inspiring individuals!
GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
