The Special Olympics Team BC 2020 Training Squad has seven superb 5-pin bowling teams:

• Team BC Aces from SOBC – Elk Valley and Kimberley/Cranbrook
• Team BC Valley Cats from SOBC – Chilliwack
• Team BC Alley Cats from SOBC – Port Alberni (pictured)
• Team BC Alley Brats from SOBC – Port Alberni
• Team BC Strike Force from SOBC – Dawson Creek
• Team BC Bull Dogs from SOBC – Penticton
• Team BC Great Balls of Fire from SOBC – Prince George

These terrific teams have awesome coaches from SOBC – Abbotsford, Penticton, Port Alberni, Quesnel, Comox Valley, Elk Valley, and Dawson Creek. There are many dedicated veterans on this team, including Chilliwack’s Derek Trainor who has competed in six previous National Games (in three different sports!), but there are also 21 National Games first-timers who are thrilled about the opportunity.

One of those National Games newcomers is Jeri Lee Hodgins from SOBC – Penticton, whose sister Fae is coaching her team to the National Games. Jeri Lee has been a Special Olympics athlete for 28 years and this will be her National Games debut! She feels competing at National Games is a “great achievement. Shows that any one of us can get to the top with hard work working through our disabilities.” She says, “I have had many health issues to overcome, but never stopped trying always with a smile. Love crafts, word search, shopping and like to look after my appearance, assist with home chores. Loves to party, visiting with friends and family. Mom calls me her social butterfly.”

These will be Fae’s first National Games as well, in her 29 years as a Special Olympics coach. Fae says, “I have worked long and hard for 29 years to get to this point, and it is a privilege and excitement to be part of Team BC 2020.”

All team members are passionate about their sport and pumped to represent their province with pride! All have put in a lot of effort to be able to perform at their best on the national stage.

The Team BC 2020 bowling team includes the athlete who will be the oldest competitor in the entirety of the 2020 National Games: Port Alberni's Maurice Bernier, 74 years young!

SOBC – Dawson Creek 5-pin bowler David Johnston is making his return to the national stage for the first time since 1997 in Quebec, where he competed in alpine skiing. David has been a Special Olympics athlete for 33 years, and he is a trained athlete speaker and a self-advocate whose voice is heard across the province. He works for Community Living BC as a project planner to assist people with intellectual and physical disability to be included in all workplaces. 

For Ariel Gust, 5-pin bowler from SOBC – Port Alberni, the trip to Thunder Bay will be her first time on a plane! She has been in 5-pin bowling for five years and trains at Rainbow Lanes. She has been working very hard in her training for the Games, including participating in rhythmic gymnastics and Club Fit. Gust has blossomed from a very shy young lady to a very outgoing and sociable adult through joining Special Olympics. She loves bowling with her peers and has made many friends. This will be the first time that she has ever flown and although she is nervous she is working on some “focusing techniques” to help with the long trip ahead. Being chosen to be on Team BC 2020 Training Squad has been an exciting opportunity and a huge goal for her!

Our amazing Team BC 2020 bowlers describe themselves as unique, determined, big-hearted, competitive, confident, awesome, beautiful, fun and cheeky, fantastic, happy, easygoing, wonderful, spirited, funny, warrior, punctual, quiet, calm, helpful, juggernaut, loud, friendly, brave, and smart!

Team goals

Team member profiles