Meet Team PEI 2026 Basketball Athlete, Zachary Hébert
For Zachary Hébert, sport has always been a part of his life. Growing up, the 19 year old from Summerside played soccer and ball hockey.
Similar to many Special Olympics athletes from the Summerside area, Zach credits retired Inclusive Education teacher at Three Oaks Senior High, and Team PEI 2026 Mission Staff, Fran Gillis, with how he got involved. Always an advocate for the benefits of involvement, Fran encouraged Zach to get involved with Special Olympics as he and his family were planning for what life after high school could look like.
Zachary has found a peer group through Special Olympics. He says he has become good friends with Team PEI 2026 Basketball teammates, Braden Gaudet and Conner Arsenault. He also spends time with Team PEI 2026 Athletics athlete, Jeremy Wall. Zach and Jeremy like to get outside to go for a run or watch movies together.
For Zachary, the trip to Medicine Hat itself will be a new adventure. He has travelled a bit locally, however this will be his first time on an airplane. "I'm excited! I really like to travel, and like seeing new places" Zachary shared, smiling ear to ear.
Zachary will have a few eager fans in the stands at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 2026 as his mother, Sheryl Kinch, and his Aunt and her twins are making the trip.
Zachary says that Team PEI 2026 Basketball training is going really well. In addition to their weekly Basketball practice, Zach also participates in Multi-Sport and 5-Pin Bowling. Zach, who plays at Point Guard, says that at Basketball practices they are focusing on offensive and defensive drills, and often scrimmage.
While competing at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 2026 Zachary has set some goals for himself.
If you would like to support athletes like Zachary, please consider Drafting and Athlete. The Team PEI Draft an Athlete program allows supporters of the Special Olympics movement to fund a Team PEI athlete’s journey to National Games.