Bowlers are set to topple pins and inspire spectators at 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games.
An enthusiastic supporter of Special Olympics, Gord Wiffen can害羞草研究所檛 wait to see bowlers give their all at the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games, taking place in Greater Vernon Feb. 21 to 23.
害羞草研究所淚 love to watch the competition and the athletes just get so excited,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 think there is anybody who tries harder or has a bigger heart than those athletes. They are just amazing, they really are.害羞草研究所�
The event will see more than 600 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the province compete in eight sports. It will also mark the debut of 5-pin bowling at Special Olympics BC Winter Games, as it was previously part of the summer sports cycle. Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Lincoln Lanes, which is owned by Wiffen and his sister Sandi Soroka, will host the sport.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 quite an honour,害羞草研究所� Wiffen says 害羞草研究所淲e are excited to be involved.害羞草研究所�
Lincoln Lanes has a long history of supporting Special Olympics. The facility is home to Special Olympics BC 害羞草研究所� Vernon害羞草研究所檚 year-round bowling program, and its athletes have been throwing strikes and spares at Lincoln Lanes for almost 35 years.
Wiffen has coached bowling and softball with Special Olympics and says he always enjoys spending time with the organization害羞草研究所檚 dedicated volunteers.
害羞草研究所淭hey are amazing,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淲e have had some fantastic people who have given their time to make it happen.害羞草研究所�
A big reason Wiffen loves bowling is because people of all ages and abilities can play together. He says bowling害羞草研究所檚 inclusive nature fits well with the spirit of Special Olympics, and the sport gives athletes opportunities to meet new people and be part of a bigger community.
Special Olympics BC 害羞草研究所� Kelowna athlete Parker Begg is one of more than 130 bowlers who will converge on Lincoln Lanes for Provincial Games. He has been training hard and will compete with the Region 2 team, which is comprised of athletes from the Okanagan.
害羞草研究所淚 am so excited,害羞草研究所� Begg says.
Begg has been a Special Olympics athlete for 10 years and this will be his first Provincial Games. He害羞草研究所檚 pumped to meet new people and spend time with his teammates. He also says the event will give him an opportunity to be more independent, as this will be his first time away from home. Begg says his goal for the Games is to make his team proud.
害羞草研究所淚 want to win and try my best,害羞草研究所� he says.
Wiffen encourages people in his community to come out and watch hardworking athletes like Begg compete with pride during Games.
害羞草研究所淐ome out and watch and have a good time and enjoy, because it害羞草研究所檚 good entertainment 害羞草研究所� it really is,害羞草研究所� Wiffen says. 害羞草研究所淵ou won害羞草研究所檛 see anybody not trying their hardest, that害羞草研究所檚 for sure.害羞草研究所�
The 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games is looking for volunteers, and Wiffen says volunteering is a great way to experience this inspiring event. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 very rewarding to work with the athletes, it害羞草研究所檚 a very worthy cause,害羞草研究所� he says.
Volunteer registration is available at www.sobcgamesvernon.ca, or at the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games office, located at VantageOne Credit Union, 3108 33 Avenue.
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