Special Olympics BC’s core programs are open to athletes eight years old and up, with many athletes participating well into their later years. But we are finding that many young people have been joining Special Olympics after graduating from high school, thereby coming to us with limited physical literacy. Armed with that understanding, SOBC is working to target students to help them connect with Special Olympics and physical skill development opportunities earlier in their lives.
SOBC now actively looks to work with school districts to help educate teachers, support staff, families, and the students themselves as to what we have to offer. In order to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities are aware of all the sporting opportunities available to them through Special Olympics in their local community, we host "try-it days." In addition to helping the students, our programming helps educators provide physical fitness in an adaptive environment sensitive to those with special needs.
During SOBC try-it days, students participate in a variety of sports and sports skills in a rotating format, including offerings such as track and field, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball, and a fitness component. The stations are led by existing Special Olympics coaches from the SOBC Local and volunteers from the schools, including fellow students. This setup allows everyone to give Special Olympics a “try” in a safe, fun environment.
Needless to say, the days on the Island were a hit, with more than 100 students exposed to physical movement and fitness.
This year, instead of just a one day hit of activity, SOBC challenged the Island schools to increase the physical activity of their students by agreeing to train the students for a tournament! Schools have signed on and selected three-on-three basketball as the sport of choice.
Teams of five from Campbell River, Nanaimo, and Comox have been practicing in their school gyms since January. SOBC provided the technical package and weekly program content along with warmup and cooldown plans for the teachers and support workers, and the students have been learning the sport skills and drills and creating game strategy.
Schools were encouraged to invite student-athletes in basketball to come out and help train these students from the special needs classes.
The focus is to be able to compete in the SOBC Region 6 Three on Three Basketball Tournament that will be held on May 26 in Courtenay at Vanier Secondary.
Rumour has it that the teams are already not only training in basketball but also practicing their “trash talk” for their rivals! This will be SOBC’s first-ever school championship, and we expect the concept to catch on not only in other communities on the Island, but across B.C.
Any schools across B.C. that may be interested in setting up a challenge in their area should please contact Leslie Thornley, SOBC Manager, Sport, Coaching & Youth Development, by email or by phone at 250-317-1272 / 1-888-854-2276 toll-free.
Sincere thanks to Goldcorp, the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, Tim Hortons, the Samuel Family Foundation, The Slaight Family Foundation, the GoodLife Kids Foundation, and The Hamber Foundation for supporting SOBC’s youth programs and opportunities throughout B.C.