Skills, valuable perspectives, and inspiring stories were on display at the Special Olympics BC Athlete Leadership Conference April 1 to 2 in Richmond, with 68 amazing athletes and more than 40 volunteer speech coaches and facilitators from all over the province.
The participants from 30 Locals worked on public speaking and leadership skills in the event’s Athlete Speakers Bureau 1 and 2 courses, Governance workshop, and Health Heroes training.
Athlete Speakers Bureau courses help train athletes to write and deliver speeches about their stories and Special Olympics experiences. Athlete Speakers Bureau 1 featured 24 fabulous athletes who were new to Athlete Leadership, while Athlete Speakers Bureau 2 involved 13 dedicated speakers, many of whom had completed ASB1 the year before and did a great job bringing their previous experience to the table to help build their skills to the next level.
The volunteer speech coaches were wonderfully involved, providing lots of encouragement and supporting the athletes to develop their speeches and skills on their own.
The Governance track teaches skills to help athletes be part of leadership groups and gives athletes opportunities to share their valuable perspectives on key issues facing Special Olympics. This year’s Governance group included a great mix of athletes who are currently serving on Athlete Councils and/or as an Athlete Representative on their Local Committee, and athletes who are new to the practice, from Locals looking to build athlete leadership. All brought excellent ideas and opinions to the table for valuable conversations in the session.
A new Health Advocates session was added to Special Olympics BC’s Athlete Leadership course offerings this year. Thirteen athletes from seven Regions came together to discuss health and wellness topics and look at how they can become an advocate for healthy living in their community. We were honoured to have athlete Nathan McClain and Camie Powell from Special Olympics Arkansas attend the session and have McClain share his experience as a health advocate in his state.
Health Heroes training is another recent addition to SOBC’s Athlete Leadership training, first introduced in 2016, presented with the support of Golisano Foundation Special Olympics Healthy Communities grant funding. This year’s participants learned about Healthy Athletes screenings and how they can help other athletes in their communities access these important opportunities. Participants left the session as certified Healthy Athletes Screenings Health Heroes who can spread the word at home and help change the game for athlete health.
Sincere thanks also to the fantastic volunteer course facilitators who did an outstanding job helping the athletes build their confidence and abilities! Congratulations to this year’s participants! (full list below)
Athlete Speakers Bureau 1
In the words of athletes:
“Special Olympics is somewhere I can feel accepted and not out of place. I love being part of a team, competing, and winning medals. It makes me feel proud of what I have accomplished.” -Julia Wood, SOBC – Langley
“Special Olympics is fun, it is great exercise, and it is fun to be part of a team spirit. It makes me happy to learn with other people with intellectual disabilities.” -Sarah Regehr, SOBC – Salmon Arm
“I like being involved in SO because it makes me feel included and respected.” -Christian Burton, SOBC – Langley
“Special Olympics has made me a better person by helping me set goals and work to achieve them.” -Simon Phipps, SOBC – Nanaimo
“I've been an athlete for over 20 years, and it feels great.” -Amber Benedict, SOBC – Cowichan Valley
“Special Olympics has given me opportunities I would never have had and increased my confidence.” -Robyn Rauh, SOBC – Vancouver
“Special Olympics accepts you no matter what and always encourages you.” -Katelyn McPhedrian, SOBC – Richmond
“Special Olympics has given me friendship, confidence, and common interests. … I am accepted and respected, I am part of a team, and I am more fit and healthy. … I know that if you join Special Olympics you will love it. I sure do!" -Katie Marchbank, SOBC – Abbotsford
Athlete Speakers Bureau 2
Apologies to athletes Cory Melnychuk and Justin King who were not filmed this time around!
In the words of the athletes:
“Special Olympics encourages me to be healthy and fit and encourages me to develop my personal and athletic skills.” -Shayne Blandin, SOBC – Oceanside
“I would like everyone to join Special Olympics. It’s not about how you play; it’s about how you feel when you play the game, having fun and making friends.” -Tracy Martin, SOBC – Mission
“In Special Olympics I’m respected and I am part of a team.” -Kim Davies, SOBC – Delta
2017 participants
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Athlete Speakers Bureau 1 |
Name of Athlete |
Local |
Speech Coach |
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Austin Johnston |
Abbotsford |
Shelly Johnston |
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Katie Marchbank |
Abbotsford |
Cindy Suffel-Marchbank |
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Jonathan Lawson |
Coquitlam |
Christine Berezon |
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Julie Black |
Cowichan Valley |
Necole Young |
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Amber Benedict |
Cowichan Valley |
Jean Schofield |
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Mykaela Stewart |
Fort St. John |
Kathy Stamatelakis |
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Megan Gourley |
Kamloops |
Tamara Turner |
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Julia Wood |
Langley |
Liz Wood |
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Christian Burton |
Langley |
Jayne Burton |
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Simon Phipps |
Nanaimo |
Angela Behn |
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Stacey Magus |
Nelson |
Betty Burk |
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Geoffrey Trimble |
Oceanside |
Barb McLeod |
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Simone Myers |
Port Alberni |
Barb VanZoeren |
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Brock Terlesky |
Quesnel |
Rick Prosk |
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Kelsey Thomson |
Richmond |
Heather Jamieson |
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Katelyn McPhedrian |
Richmond |
Lisa Jamieson |
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Sarah Regehr |
Salmon Arm |
Stacey Brook |
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Jason Newport |
Salt Spring Island |
Jo Logan |
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Micheal Oswald |
Sunshine Coast |
Helen Halet |
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Robert Tarko |
Trail |
Jakki VanHemert |
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Robyn Rauh |
Vancouver |
Tess VanStraaten |
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Sheenagh Morrison |
Victoria |
Kyle Erikson |
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Lorraine Dick |
Williams Lake |
Susan Means |
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Facilitators: Joanne Fevens, Sarah Howe, Charlotte Taylor, Tess VanStraaten |
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Athlete Speaker's Bureau 2 |
Frances Collison |
Creston |
Paula Harper |
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Ariel Taylor |
Coquitlam |
Sarah Wasik |
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Kimberley Davies |
Delta |
Brea Maurice |
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Maria Stamatelakis |
Fort St. John |
Sam Taylor |
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Amanda Peebles |
Mission |
Ashmita King |
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Justin King |
Mission |
Linda Golightly |
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Tracy Martin |
Mission |
Penelope Dobson |
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Joanne Steel |
Nanaimo |
Sylvia Taylor |
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Nick Toner |
Nelson |
Andrew Duff |
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Shayne Blandin |
Oceanside |
Yvonne Newport |
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Cory Melnychuk |
Quesnel |
Wilf Smith |
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Alex Pang |
Vancouver |
Jessica Souza |
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Mathew Schmiing |
Vancouver |
Meghan Fleming |
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Facilitators: Andrea Boyes, Marilyn McLean, Sam Taylor |
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Governance |
Mike Palliti |
Abbotsford |
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Derek Santema |
Abbotsford |
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Adam Advocaat |
Coquitlam |
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David Johnston |
Dawson Creek |
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Pierce Burns |
North Shore |
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Kerri Lipsack |
Oceanside |
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Stephanie Button |
Oceanside |
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Priscilla Dickson |
Oceanside |
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Barbie Conway |
Prince George |
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Vincent Li |
Richmond |
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Andrew Weale |
Richmond |
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Graeme Johnston |
Richmond |
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Debbie McNaughton |
Salt Spring Island |
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Paula Prough |
Trail |
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Ken McLean |
Vancouver |
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Nellie-Jo Kurta |
Vancouver |
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Tom Wilde |
Vernon |
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Facilitator: Patty Wheeldon |
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Health Section |
Joanna Morris |
Kelowna |
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Paige Norton |
Abbotsford |
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Erin Thom |
Kimberley/Cranbrook |
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Jake Hooper |
Comox Valley |
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Jennifer Ferrier |
Victoria |
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Jesse Jensen |
Kimberley/Cranbrook |
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Katie Little |
Burnaby |
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Lauren Hogan |
Coquitlam |
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Lindsey Aarstad |
Coquitlam |
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Marinka Van Hage |
Prince George |
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Mark Hamblett |
Victoria |
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Matthew Williams |
Langley |
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Nathan McClain |
Arkansas |
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Camie Powell (staff) |
Arkansas |
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