Special Olympics BC – North Shore’s Lauren Philley says SOBC helps her “shine and be a better athlete.”

Philley prides herself on her work ethic. She says when it comes to her training, she knows what she needs to do – and she does it. She also makes sure to listen to her coaches and have a positive attitude.

“Hard work has made me a better athlete than I was before,” she says.

A versatile athlete, Philley participates in 5-pin bowling, athletics, basketball, Club Fit, floor hockey, golf, snowshoeing, and softball. 

Her favourite sport is athletics, and she is set to compete in track and field events at this summer’s 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Philley is currently training every day and eating healthy so she can be at her best for National Games.

Qualifying for National Games was a big accomplishment for Philley, and she is proud to be a member of the Team BC Training Squad. Philley says practising with the team has been a lot of fun and has allowed her to make new friends who share her passion for track and field.

Philley qualified for the Games in Nova Scotia through her outstanding performance at the 2017 SOBC Summer Games in Kamloops. It was her third time at Provincial Games, and she took home five medals – her biggest haul yet.

Philley said the atmosphere at Provincial Games was great and the crowd was very supportive.

“It felt awesome that they were cheering us on and it made us so happy after each race,” she said.

Philley says winning a gold medal in shot put at the 2017 SOBC Summer Games is her favourite Special Olympics memory.

“I had never won a gold in the shot put before and it was a big achievement,” she said. “And my shot put coach helped me through practice to become better at shot put.”

After her events, Philley’s parents gave her a big hug, congratulated her, and expressed how proud they were of her for all her hard work. Philley says it was a very memorable moment.

Along with competing and training, Philley loves the social aspect of Special Olympics. She appreciates how she gets to see her SOBC – North Shore friends at competitions, fundraising events, and the Local’s annual March Madness basketball tournament.

“It makes me feel awesome!” Philley says.

Philley has a job washing dishes at a restaurant in North Vancouver. She loves her job because the people she works with are friendly. She says being an SOBC athlete has helped her succeed in the workplace because it has helped her learn how to be part of a team.  

Philley loves to watch hockey, football, and soccer – and is a big fan of the Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions, and Vancouver Whitecaps. She says it makes her very happy to know these organizations support Special Olympics BC.