A Special Send Off with Style
Team Alberta was greeted with cheers and proud smiles when they paraded in to the room holding each sport banner proudly.
On February 16, Edmonton hosted Team Alberta’s northern Albertan athletes to a Team Send off at Bavaria BMW while on February 19, Calgary hosted Team Alberta’s southern Alberta athletes to a Team Send off at Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre.
“This was my first year as Chef de Mission and I’ve enjoyed watching with team come together and grow together to become a strong group ready to show Canada how much talent we have,” said Jill Moore, Team Alberta Chef de Mission.
Team Alberta celebrated a year of training, dedication and hard work. To celebrate this, supporters like the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Canada’s Olympic medalists Mark Tewksbury, Jamie Sale, Tara Whitten, and Catriona Le May Doan gave powerful, inspiring addresses to the Team Alberta members to help them prepare for a week of intense Games and the pride of representing the province.
“Have fun!” said Jamie Sale. “I know you’ll have a busy schedule with all your competitions. You’ll have long days with early competitions and late games. But one thing you must remember is take it all in and have fun!”
And with her son and daughter in tow, Jamie Sale and family cheered loudly, “Go Alberta!”
Among family members, friends and local training coaches, Special Olympics National partners: Sobey’s represented by Reneé Hopfner, Director of Community Investment and Kray Price, Community Investment Specialist along with Canadian Progress Club’s, Barry Kozmyk and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Alberta cheered loud and proud to show their support.
Our emcee for both send offs, Special Olympics Alberta president and CEO, Johnny Byrne said, “We’re all here to celebrate Team Alberta and all the hard work they’ve put in because at the end of the day it is that determination and seemingly endless support and encouragement we receive from communities and the people who believe in our athletes amazing abilities created this strong team. Thank you for spreading the movement and making Special Olympics a cornerstone in of the community.”
Special Olympics Alberta would also like to thank the following supporters for sending off our athletes in style and joy!
Bavaria BMW
Gordon Food Services (GFS)
City of Edmonton Police Pipes and Drums
Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre
Bow Valley Fiddlers
City of Calgary Police Services
Calgary Transit Police
CPS Piper
Safeway
And our Team Alberta Draft an Athlete sponsors:
16 Building Trades Association unions:
District Council 17, Bricklayers local #1 Alberta, Sheet Metal Workers Alberta Local #8, Unite Here Local 47, Construction and General Workers' Union Local 92, Forgers & Helpers, Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths Local 146, Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' Local 222, Teamsters Local 362, Electrical Workers Local 424, UA Local 488, Plumbers, Steamfitters, Welders, Sprinklerfitters Local 496, Ironworkers Local 720, Bridge, Structural, Oranmental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 725, Union of Operating Engineers Local 955, Carpenters, Joiners of America Local 1325
Engel and Völkers
Helcim
Hermitage Preschool Association
John Pinsent Corp
Physiotherapy Alberta
Superior Paint and Glass
Young Guns Charity Golf Tournament