Allan Gillis

How many years have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I have been involved with Special Olympics for 9 years.  

Why did you first get involved with Special Olympics and how has it changed your life?

My family introduced me to Special Olympics and the athletes made me want be involved. They embodied the true meaning and love of sport while being supportive of teammates as well as opponents. Coming into Special Olympics with fifteen years of coaching within mainstream sports, I am grateful athletes of Special Olympics helped change my coaching perspective from one of ‘what is an athlete doing wrong’ to one of how can I best support an athlete so they improve in their sport. My life has been enriched via connections made through Special Olympics.

What are you most looking forward to at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games?

I am most looking forward to the genuine excitement of the athletes to compete and witnessing the support of athletes across sporting teams/events.

What is your favourite Special Olympics moment?

I have two favourite Special Olympics movements. First, watching an athlete I trained play with Special Olympics Team Canada basketball and contributing to winning a good medal. Second, at a basketball practice, I was explaining that we wanted to have the ball and to think of something the athletes liked a lot and the ball became the item. I used ice cream as a personal example. I said something like ‘I love ice cream and I see the ball as a hot fudge sundae and I want a sundae’. An athlete came up to me after, smiled, and said “coach, I am lactose intolerant, so if I got the ball from you, I would have to pass the sundae”. I smile every time I think about that.

What does being a part of Team PEI 2026 mean to you?

Special Olympics provides a unique opportunity where you truly get more from the experience and from the athletes than you give. I hope to be a positive part of providing athletes with an opportunity they will cherish via my coaching and cheerleading.