During National Coaches Week (September 17 to 25), we celebrated and thanked the thousands of Special Olympics BC coaches who change lives in communities throughout our province!
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 2022, Special Olympics BC hosted multiple training and connection events for SOBC coaches, and 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 2022 SOBC Grassroots Coach Award winner Vince Astoria and 2022 SOBC Howard Carter Award winner Annabel Stanley!
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
Winner: Judy Button, SOBC – Oceanside coach!
Athlete nominator: Brodie Stevens, SOBC – Oceanside
Coach nominee: Judy Button
How has your coach changed your life?
She helped me train and work hard which led me to winning gold medals at the 2022 BC Summer Games in Prince George!
What is your favourite moment with your coach?
My favourite moments are when she coaches me as I do my strokes when I swim.
Thank you to all of the athletes who nominated their amazing coaches for the 2022 contest! Read their entries below on the positive impact that their coaches have made on their lives.
Debra Colvin, Paul Colvin, and David Shorter, nominated by Artisia Wong, SOBC – Burnaby. "My coaches make me more confident in my abilities to be the best I can be. My favourite moments are when they encourage me that I can do something that I don't think I can do."
Deborah Carter, nominated by Kayley Olund-Rak, SOBC – Surrey. "Deborah has helped me overcome anxiety both on and off the track, as well as overcome challenges by learning to persevere. My favourite moment was when she met my teammates and I at the airport coming home from the National Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia."
Fern Russell, nominated by Ruth Caldwell, SOBC – Prince George. "Fern has changed my life by giving me pointers on how to be a better skip for my curling team. My favourite moment was during one weekend at the Regional Games, she made sure all the curling teams signed 'Thank You' cards for the other SOBC – Prince George coaches!"
Gale Jones, nominated by Torben Schuffert, SOBC – Smithers. "Gale always encourages me, and she has taught me how to swim. My favourite moments are during Club Fit, and when she took extra time to teach me how to do grapevines. I eventually did it, and she was so proud of me!"
Jeff Dolinsky, nominated by Sebastian Gylander, SOBC – Golden. "Jeff set me on a path of fitness and encouraged me to get my Level 1 Community Coaching Certificate. My favourite moments are hiking up our local mountains together and him teaching me to appreciate them. Another moment was when I won the Lake Louise Loppet!"
Alan and Linda Prough, nominated by Paula Prough, SOBC – Trail. "If it was not for these coaches (who are my parents) stepping up to run 5-pin bowling and bocce, our Local would probably not have these sports. They also took me and other athletes on trips to bowling and bocce tournaments. My favourite moment was when I was in Kamloops at the 2017 SOBC Summer Games for bocce. My mom coached my team, and my dad coached the other team. My team came in second place! It was nice to have them there, because they got to see me compete."
Resources
To support SOBC coaches, we have 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
Bonus: Special Olympics Global Coach Webinars
Special Olympics International is hosting their Coach Webinar Series 2022 presented by Gallagher! In an effort to thank coaches for everything that they do, Special Olympics is running 4 webinars through September and October to provide free coach education and learning opportunities.
September 28: Coaching Mixed-Ability Athletes - watch the replay
October 5: 'What we want from our coaches' discussion from an Athlete Panel
October 12: The Coach-Athlete Relationship
October 19: Health and Fitness for Sports Coaches
SOBC 2022 National Coaches Week webinars
September 19: Coach Education and Mentorship
September 20: Concussion Management and Injury Prevention
Featured speaker: Ben Whiles, SOBC – Kelowna coach and chiropractor
September 21: #WellnessWednesday Health
Featured speaker: Kendal Alston, SOBC – Victoria Local Coordinator
September 22: Coaches Meeting Discussion Forum
Featured speaker: Chris Higgins, Vancouver Canucks Assistant Director of Player Development, former Canucks player, and sibling of a Special Olympics athlete
Virtual NCCP Competition Sport Workshop September 20 to 22
Visit the NCCP Special Olympics Competition Sport Workshop page for more details and upcoming workshops.
