Special Olympics BC

Our sport programs are still on pause until the next Provincial Health update expected Feb 5th. We will then determine if we can start again. For those in club fit, coach Angela sent an email out with the next virtual club fit date. Stay healthy everyone!!

Return to Sport status update: All Special Olympics BC in-person programs and training remain paused until further notice. The current province-wide restriction...s are in place until January 8 at midnight, and we must wait to hear updates this week from the Provincial Health Officer and viaSport British Columbia. We’ll let everyone know next week how SOBC will proceed. A big virtual hug to everyone staying strong and protecting each other by following the provincial health guidance! And shoutouts to all the SOBC athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, and supporters who are staying active safely! Find resources for staying active, connected, positive, and informed: https://www.specialolympics.ca/british/staying-healthy-home

Although we have not been able to get together and walk for our toonie k walk-a-thon, we do want to acknowledge the 3 top fundraisers for our local. Prizes have finally been handed out. Congratulation and thank you to everyone who helped raise funds for Special Olympics- Fort St John.

From the executive: We hope all our athletes and families have a wonderful Christmas and New Years. We will update our page in the new year once we have some direction on our programs. Have a safe and happy holiday time!

During these uncertain times it is hard not to feel alone, isolated, and disconnected from the world. This is especially true for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics - Fort St John is an important source of social connections and emotional stability for athletes in our community. This holiday season, you can give a gift that will enrich lives today, tomorrow, and forever. Donate now to support Special Olympics - Fort St John as we work to restart our empowering programs where athletes gain essential friendships and pride through the joy of sport! http://bit.ly/2DxjLdz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyPg-sDCkvI

Happy New Year to our athletes, coaches and volunteers!

It’s International Volunteer Day and Special Olympics BC would like to thank all of our dedicated volunteers for their hard work to ensure athletes with intelle...ctual disabilities have the chance to shine! SOBC has given me so many opportunities and I am so fortunate and humbled by the trust, respect, and faith that my athletes have in me. It really pushes me to be the best that I can be, says SOBC Leadership Council Chair and Special Olympics Abbotsford coach Donna Bilous.

All Special Olympics in person sports are still on hold. We will learn more in January. Watch for an update in the new year. Happy Holidays to our athletes, families, coaches and volunteers.

Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Spread the Word: Inclusion campaign announced their theme for 2021: *Connection* Help build a mor...e inclusive world by making connections that create strength between individuals, where they feel seen, heard, and valued! Learn more and join champions creating inclusion throughout B.C.: https://www.specialolympics.ca/british-colu/spread-the-word

Today marks United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (#IDPWD) focusing on the theme: Building Back Better: Toward a disability-inclusive, ...accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world. "The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the challenges that many people with disabilities have in accessing health care, education, employment and participating in the community. This year’s theme recognizes the importance of ensuring that the world we all create once the pandemic ends is one that better addresses these challenges and includes everyone in their communities," says CLBC CEO Ross Chilton Read his message recognizing #IDPWD2020 here: ow.ly/plzQ50CBJy9

Don’t forget to register for the next SOBC Virtual Personal Health session about women’s health. This session is open to women only and will be hosted on Zoom on December 2 at 4:30 p.m. PT. Register here: https://www.specialolympics.ca//sobc-virtual-personal-heal

Thank you to Coach Angela for continuing to instruct Club Fit via Zoom for our athletes!

NOTICE: Special Olympics Fort St John is stopping all in person activities and practices for at least the next 2 weeks. No swimming, No bowling and once again our Toonie K walk a thon will need to put on hold.

volunteer opportunity!! our swim program is in need of a Safety volunteer. This person would be the 'covid safety' person that is required by Special Olympics. This is not a hard position and would take approx 1.5 hours a week. Our program runs Friday 3:30 to 4:30 and currently has 4 registered athletes. Please contact Kathy at 250-262-5680 if you are interested. (will require registration with Special Olympics and a Criminal Record Check)

Bowling tonight is cancelled. Stay home and shovel some snow to get some exercise!!

Toonie K walkathon has been scheduled. Check your email for the info! Things to bring.. indoor shoes, face mask, your own water bottle and a great attitude!

No club fit tonight due to Remembrance Day.

This year’s Sports Celebrities Festival is being held virtually and the Canucks for Kids Fund 50/50 will coincide with it. Funds raised will support Special Olympics British Columbia. Tickets available now at canucks.com/online5050!

Swim team hard at work.

Thank you coach Angela for the virtual club fit last night!

Mark your calendars the monthly Special Olympics BC SuperLive show is coming up on Facebook Live next Wednesday, November 4! New time 6:30 p.m. PT! Join us... to chat with Special Olympics BC PG athlete leader Marinka VanHage, Special Olympics BC Quesnel athlete and Health Messenger Matthew Hender, SOBC Vice Chair and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. President Randy Smallwood, and SOBC Sport Coordinator Jean Tetarenko. We’ll talk all about the Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Wheaton Precious Metals, sport, at-home training, and what else is on your mind! Catch up on past shows: https://www.specialolympics.ca/british-columbia/superlives

back at it again this week. Monday - bowling Wednesday - club fit (watch your email for the info) Friday - swimming.

All new and returning Special Olympics BC athletes and volunteers are asked to complete the 2020-21 registration form and waiver, in order to participate in any... upcoming SOBC opportunities. By registering, you're helping your Local plan which sports and programs to offer. You'll get access to virtual programs and resources. And you're helping us keep you in the loop about upcoming opportunities! Find registration forms and FAQs: https://www.specialolympics.ca/british-columbia/registration : Smiles and stretches with the Special Olympics BC Smithers athletics program!

First day back to swimming today. Remember your forms that need to be handed in to the safety volunteer. No forms, no swimming!

This says it all! Thank you to all Region 8 coaches, safety persons, local committee members, and program volunteers! We could NOT restart without you!!

Tonight..club fit!

Bowling season 2020-2021 is underway

This week: Bowling Monday Club fit Wednesday Swimming Friday. Please remember your covid declaration and participation agreement.... Have a great week athletes and coaches!! See more

Pssst...did you hear? We get to start practicing next week. Watch your email for information from your coach.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone. Enjoy this long weekend and the fall weather that has arrived.

ATTENTION! Calling all athletes!! Have you registered for your sports. Before you can start you MUST have sent in your registration/ medical form and your participation waiver. For first day of practice you MUST bring with you the filled in Covid 19 Declaration AND the Participation Agreement. No paperwork, no practice. All of this paperwork that needs to be filled in was sent via email to all email addresses on file from last year. If you need copies please contact Local Coordinator, Kathy Turney [email protected]

Hey everyone. Follow the link below and like my post (kathy schmick turney) to vote for Special Olympics. We could win a donation to our organization. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2492795351020952&id=1817443321889495

Attention Athletes!!! We do not have very many registration forms in yet!! Get your forms filled out and either emailed back or dropped off.

Keep spreading the word... We NEED a 5 pin bowling coach for the 4pm shift of bowling. These bowlers bowl 2 games and you will have a max of 12 bowlers.

#ThanksCoach Kim Turney Crystal Laboucane Donna Stolk Angela Thompson... Amanda Thomas Sarah Hunter Nonie Wideman Sharon Doerksen and the many assistant coaches and program volunteers - thank you! See more

it is National Coaches Week! Shout out to all of our coaches who keep our sports running, our athletes in shape and volunteer their time to make Special Olympics a great place for our athletes.

We have coaches that would like to be involved in the Pilot Program return to sport. If you are registering for swimming or bowling, please get your forms in ASAP.

registration deadline - Sept 30th!! Please get your registrations in so that coaches can start planning their programs.

ATTENTION: we are in need of a 5 pin bowling coach for the Monday 4pm bowling shift. This shift will consist of no more than 12 athletes, they bowl 2 games and are generally done by 5:15pm. This coach will have some program volunteers/assistant coaches to help out. Our program is scheduled to run mid-October to end of April. If you or someone you know would be interested please send a message to our page and we will get you in contact with our program coordinator. There is some risk involved - you will fall in love with our athletes and will be working with some of the most wonderful people you can ever imagine!!!

Check your email! Registration forms and information was sent out today. If you did not receive the info, email [email protected] and we will get the info sent to you.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Special Olympics BC Summer Games scheduled for next July in Surrey. This w...as a hard decision made with a lot of thought and consideration. We are now focusing our efforts on bringing safe sport back to Special Olympics athletes across B.C. The SOBC Return to Sport Plan includes working our way back to safe competitions, and SOBC is wholeheartedly committed to finding ways to make competition possible, safely, both through virtual and in-person experiences. We will seek feedback from athletes, coaches, and volunteers, and create meaningful competition that challenges and rewards athletes, while meeting all safety requirements. Please click here to read more: https://www.specialolympics.ca//2021-special-olympics-bc-s

June 2019 Safeway/Sobey's and our athletes. Thank you for your support of Special Olympics.

Even during unprecedented times, we can count on @Sobeys, @SafewayCanada, and @ThriftyFoods. When COVID-19 forced Sobeys Inc. to cancel its in-store fundraiser for Special Olympics, their commitment to @SpecialOCanada never faltered. Thank you Sobeys, Safeway, and Thrifty Foods for honouring your fundraising goal with a $1M donation to Special Olympics Canada! Help us say THANKS by participating in @specialolympicsbc’s photo contest for your chance to win a Sobeys gift card! Find all the details: https://www.specialolympics.ca/british-col/thank-you-sobeys

Good afternoon Motivate Canada family! Today is Wednesday and that means we are featuring another one of our brilliant alumni from our recent 2020 ViaYOUTH Summ...it held in Vancouver this past March. Today's feature is Sydney Hall, from Prince George, British Columbia!! What organization are you with and what are some of the work they / you do that impacts the community? I work for Special Olympics BC, in Prince George, and I am the Community Development Coordinator for the North and Central part of the province. Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport. We are continuously looking to empower individuals with Intellectual Disabilities by engaging communities through workshops, coaching courses and elevating our athletes in their sports. We aim to have inclusive communities all over the province, honour what's unique about each individual and create the opportunity for them to reach their full potential. Quels sont les aspects les plus importants à retenir de votre expérience à l'occasion du Sommet ViaJEUNES de 2020 ? Je travaille pour Olympiques Spéciaux BC à Prince George à titre de coordonnatrice du développement communautaire dans le Nord et le Centre de la province. Olympiques Spéciaux BC a pour mission d’enrichir, par le biais du sport, la vie des personnes souffrant de déficience intellectuelle. Nous nous efforçons continuellement d’aider les personnes atteintes de déficience intellectuelle à se prendre en charge en leur offrant, au niveau communautaire, des ateliers et des formations d’entraîneurs et en donnant à nos athlètes les moyens de s’améliorer dans leurs disciplines respectives. Nous visons à créer des communautés inclusives dans toute la province, à souligner le caractère unique de chaque personne et à créer pour elles toutes des occasions de réaliser pleinement leur potentiel. Be sure to check out the rest of the interview below!

Join Special Olympics BC - Trail athlete Jake Miller (pictured last week) and get your Active Athlete Alphabet on for today’s #SOBCJumpIntoJune challenge! Find ...your own exercises: https://www.specialolympics.ca//2020-jump-june-challenge-20 Find the full calendar, SOBC Wellness Bingo, and more resources here: https://www.specialolympics.ca/bri/athlete-health-resources

We’ve had such a great time chatting with everyone on What’s On Your Mind Wednesday! We’re back again tomorrow on Facebook Live at 2 p.m. PT speaking with Speci...al Olympics BC - Vancouver athlete Sarah Brown and BC Lions running back Jamel Lyles. Please share your activity comments, questions, and inspiring ideas. See you soon! See more

Hi everyone, Steve Topham here again. You asked for some agility and power training so let’s get into some circuits today! Grab your towel and a light weight ...and let’s put in the work! --- Bonjour! C’est Steve Topham avec vous encore aujourd’hui. Vous avez demandé un entraînement axé sur l’agilité et la puissance, alors faisons quelques circuits aujourd’hui! Allez chercher une serviette et un haltère léger, et mettons-nous au travail! See more

Our AGM will be held on June 17 at 7:00pm and Bev & Dale Richards Arena, Sunset Stables, in Baldonnel. We would like to see lots of faces at the meeting, there ...is plenty of room to safely Social Distance. We are looking for a few members to run for the executive, as well as active members willing to help with Fundraising. If you would like to sit during the meeting, please bring a lawn chair. Please PM Bev or Dale Richards or Amanda Stafford for directions to Sunset Stables. See more

Get ready to bust out those boogie shoes we will be hosting a Special Olympics BC Virtual Dance Party on June 25! Tune into our Facebook Live #SOBCJumpIntoJun...e calendar launch on Monday June 15 at noon PT, to hear more dance party details and start learning the feature routine! Creator Ashlee Davidson from Heart of D-A-N-C-E will join us to share the moves! Don’t Stop Believin’, everyone. See more

Our sport year is coming to a close, the last executive meeting for the season will be held tonight. Watch your emails in August for news of when our registration day will be and when our sport programs will be able to start up. Let's hope for some nice sunshine filled days that we can all get outside and enjoy the summer. Remember to get some activity over the summer - go for a walk, ride a bike, dance like no one is watching, take in a round of golf and most of all enjoy some time with family and friends.

Wonderful to see such amazing camaraderie during this week’s Virtual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics BC! The Special Olympics Abbotsford athle...tes who are participating in the event have each partnered with an Abbotsford Police Department member. There has been lots of excitement and smiles as the pairs run, walk, and hike together (while maintaining a safe distance). Organized by the mother-daughter duo of SOBC Abbotsford volunteer Edna Clifford and APD Constable Estee Clifford, this inclusive arrangement has provided the athletes and Abbotsford Police members with opportunities to support and encourage each other throughout the week. Law enforcement members across the province have found a new way to come together in spirit and show their support for SOBC. Planned by BC RCMP Staff Sergeant Janelle Shoihet, many agencies have been passing the torch to each other through social media videos. Watch the handoff between Vancouver Police Department and Ridge Meadows RCMP members: http://ow.ly/l1pk50zZt4o You can join an inspiring group of Special Olympics supporters and sign up for the Virtual Torch Run for SOBC! Everyone can register at www.specialolympics.bc.ca/letr

At the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, Special Olympics BC Kelowna’s Francis Stanley captured three gold medals in cross country skiing and served as... #SOTeamBC2020’s flag bearer in recognition of his tenacious training and team spirit. So it’s no surprise to hear he’s staying in tip-top shape these days, logging hundreds of kilometres on roller skis and bike, getting creative with at-home strength training, and excelling in the kitchen too! Way to go Francis, you’re an inspiration! Everyone can eat healthy like Francis with today’s #SOBCMayInMotion challenge: Make your own Salad in a Jar! Details: https://www.specialolympics.ca//2020-may-motion-challenge- Find more fun at-home workouts and wellness resources: https://www.specialolympics.ca/bri/athlete-health-resources

Coming this Sunday May 31, the Special Olympics BC Women in Sport virtual workshop will be full of engaging sessions to support Special Olympics women to achiev...e wellness and sport goals! Join us for valuable conversations on physical activity, leadership, mental wellness, and sexual health. Please click here to find all the details and the registration link: https://www.specialolympics.ca//sobc-women-sport-virtual-w We’re so grateful for everyone who has already registered, helped spread the word, and shared encouraging comments! Thank you all!

Announcing the Class of 2020/21 Inductees! Visit http://www.sportshall.ca/events/class-of-2020-21.html to read their full bios. Another remarkable group of peop...le who will be inducted into @CANsportshall and will receive the @orderofsport award! #sportshall #beyondthewin #orderofsport ... Mawer Investment Management Ltd. Scotiabank Enbridge WestJet AMJ Campbell AMJ Campbell Flames Foundation Sportsnet "The Newfoundland Moose" - Jackie Barrett Fan Club Sonja Gaudet - Wheelchair Curler Eric Lamaze Steve Nash Willie O'Ree Fans Special Olympics Canada Canadian Paralympic Team Curling Canada Spinal Cord Injury BC AthletesCAN Team Canada / Équipe Canada Distress Centre Calgary LPGA Spruce Meadows EquestrianCanada Canada Basketball The Steve Nash Foundation NBA Canada Phoenix Suns Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Lakers Canadian Paralympic Team Wheelchair Rugby Canada Rugby Canada International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) Canadian Lacrosse Association Six Nations of the Grand River Aboriginal Sport Circle YMCA Canada Canadian Women & Sport WHL Hockey Canada NHL Bruins Hockey NHL Hockey Hall of Fame Respect Group Inc ELEV8 Lacrosse Golf Canada See more

For Sunday's #SOBCMayInMotion challenge, Shelbi and Matt will lead another Facebook Live yoga practice and pre/post-yoga body scan for all SOBC athletes! Details: https://www.specialolympics.ca//2020-may-motion-challenge-

Ladies of Special Olympics BC, please mark your calendars for a unique new opportunity to connect and support each other! We are hosting a new SOBC Women in Spo...rt virtual forum on Sunday, May 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This will be a Zoom workshop with a lot of insights on physical activity, leadership, mental wellness, and sexual health. Please join us for opportunities to encourage and inspire each other! Please click here to register and learn more: https://www.specialolympics.ca//sobc-women-sport-virtual-w #WellnessWednesday

Sobeys Dietitian Rebecca King here. Are you ready to make a Greek Orzo Salad with me? For more nutritious recipes, check out the Online Athlete Nutrition Guide:... http://nutritionguide.specialolympics.ca/ And if you have any questions, send me an email at [email protected] --- Bonjour! Je suis Rebecca King, diététiste de Sobeys. Êtes-vous prêt à faire une salade d’orzo à la grecque? Pour d’autres recettes nutritives, consultez le Guide de nutrition de l’athlète en ligne : http://nutritionguide.specialolympics.ca/fr/ Si vous avez des questions, envoyez-moi un courriel à [email protected].

Tabata work out. We will do 2 different exercises for each 4 minute song with 20 seconds of exercise ruthenium 10 seconds rest. Always listen to your body and follow doctor’s recommendations for exercise.

It’s time to test those detective skills with the Special Olympics BC Scavenger Hunt! Search our website and social media channels for the answers and compete t...o earn your Local the top spot in the province. You can only submit your answers once, so make sure you are confident with your submission. The hunt will be active for one week, so make sure you get your submissions in before Wednesday May 20, 11:59 p.m.! SOBC Scavenger Hunt: https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSdW40S7CTtPml-ahe/viewform

Special Olympics BC is launching a series of Virtual Family Health Forums! We wanted to create some new virtual opportunities for SOBC athletes, coaches, parent...s, and supporters to connect, learn, and discuss important health topics. This week we're kicking off the series with a Healthy Eating Virtual Health Forum for Special Olympics BC Region 1 athletes and coaches. Next week there will be two Mental Wellness Virtual Health Forums for Special Olympics BC Region 7 and Special Olympics BC Region 8 athletes and supporters, and a Healthy Eating Virtual Health Forum for Special Olympics BC Region 2! Find all the details about the upcoming forums for your Region: https://www.specialolympics.ca//new-sobc-virtual-health-fo

Special Olympics BC welcomed the Government of B.C.’s May 6 announcement about their plan to restart B.C. safely. We’d like to share what the next steps look li...ke for SOBC. We are currently developing plans to safely reactivate each of our sports and all of our programs and activities. Provincial officials will need to approve the plan for each sport and program before we are permitted to restart anything. For now, all Special Olympics BC programs and face-to-face activities remain paused. Please click here for more info and resources: https://www.specialolympics.ca//special-olympics-bc-covid-

Buns and thighs work out

Athletes! Club Fit coach Lorraine put together a short workout video for everyone to follow along! The number of reps is posted on the video for each exercise. ...I challenge everyone to do the workout and then post it in our Facebook page that you have completed it!! All you need is some space to move around and don’t forget to have a water bottle nearby! See more