Join us in the celebration
#ThanksCoach
At Special Olympics Canada, our coaches are the heartbeat of our movement. They are mentors, motivators and champions who go above and beyond to inspire and empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities every day.
National Coaches Week is our chance to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of these dedicated individuals who transform lives through the power of sport. Week after week, they cheer on their athletes — now it's our turn to cheer for them.
Join us in thanking the coaches who make a difference. Explore their stories, share your appreciation and discover how you can be part of our inclusive movement.
Hear from Special Olympics Coaches
Read Coaching Stories
Chris Vanderwel, British Columbia
Chris Vanderwel has been a dedicated coach with Special Olympics for over eight years. After becoming head track and field coach, his passion for sport and inclusion only grew. In 2019, Chris stepped back to focus on his growing family, promising, “I’ll be gone for a while, but not forever.”
His return in 2023 was sparked by a Facebook post seeking a coach in Delta, BC, which his wife saw and said, "I think it's time for you to go back." Chris's coaching philosophy focuses on “intuitive coaching,” considering each athlete's unique emotional, physical, and environmental needs. “Every athlete, every day is different,” he says.
One of Chris's most memorable experiences was coaching Team BC at the National Games in 2018. “I promised to do every warm-up alongside the athletes,” he recalls. “By the end of the week, I was probably the most limber—and the most tired—I’d ever been!”
Chris's family has always supported his coaching journey. His wife, Kiri, and their children, Finley and Lila, have cheered him and his athletes on every step of the way. “Coaching has taught me so much about inclusion and the power of sport,” Chris shares. “Once you're a coach, you're always a coach.”
Sally Alexander, Manitoba
For the Alexander family, coaching and volunteering with Special Olympics is more than a fun activity—it’s a shared passion that has shaped their lives for over 15 years. Sally and Peter Alexander, along with their children, have each found unique ways to contribute their time and hearts to the organization.
Their involvement began with their son, Evan, who started coaching a group of young athletes to fulfill high school volunteer hours. Inspired by Evan, Sally and Peter began volunteering at events, and soon, their younger children joined in. Sally’s decision to volunteer was solidified after witnessing a moment of true sportsmanship at a local track meet, where an athlete stopped to help another who had fallen. "It’s a powerful reminder of what sport is truly about," she says.
Now, Sally and Peter coach their local Active Start youth programs, working with children aged 2 to 7. "Every success is celebrated," Sally shares. "While I always hope my interactions have brightened someone else's day, I know for certain they have made mine better."
This National Coaches Week, we honour the Alexanders and all coaches who make a difference every day.
Leeland Hawkings, Yukon
A competitive skier who represented Canada at the World University Games, Leeland Hawkings said he was recruited into Special Olympics because the faster athletes needed a coach who could keep up with them.
“A friend of the family is a head coach,” he said, describing her as “one of the main movers and shakers” for the Yukon skiing program.
“I retired from my own skiing career,” he continued, “so she asked if was interested in helping out, and I was.”
In his six cumulative years as a coach within Special Olympics, Leeland has come a long way. Earlier in 2024, he travelled with Team Yukon to Calgary for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. Now, it is his first time coaching athletes in preparation for Games held on a global scale.
“Both athletes that are going have been to previous World Games,” he said, “but this is the first time I’ve been involved. Exciting new experience for my coaching career.” As a training coach, Leeland’s role is helping his assigned athlete—Darby McIntyre—train in Yukon during the months before Special Olympics Team Canada athletes go to Italy to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
Celebrate on Social Media
Show your support for Special Olympics coaches by joining the conversation on social media! Download our customizable graphics to share your own #ThanksCoach message. Don’t forget to tag us @specialocanada so we can see and share your posts!
Downloadable Graphics:
Graphic No. 1
Caption: “Thank you, Coach! You inspire us every day. #ThanksCoach @specialocanada”
Caption: “Coaches are the real MVPs! #ThanksCoach @specialocanada”
Graphic No. 2
Caption: “Celebrating National Coaches Week with @specialocanada! #ThanksCoach”
Caption: “Behind every great athlete is an even greater coach. Thank you! #ThanksCoach @specialocanada”
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Get Involved
Become a Coach or Volunteer Today!
Do you have a passion for sport and a desire to make a difference in your community? Special Olympics Canada is always looking for dedicated individuals to join our family of volunteer coaches across the country. Whether you’re an experienced coach or new to the field, we offer training, support and a welcoming environment to help you get started.
1. Volunteer Orientation Course
If you're inspired by our coaches and want to make a difference, consider becoming a Special Olympics coach and help us continue changing lives through sport.
2. Unified Sports
Become a Coach or Unified Partner! The Special Olympics Unified Sports program brings people with and without an intellectual or developmental disability together on the same team, promoting social inclusion while breaking down barriers and stereotypes.
3. Coach.ca Locker Courses
Become a Coach or Unified Partner! The Special Olympics Unified Sports program brings people with and without an intellectual or developmental disability together on the same team, promoting social inclusion while breaking down barriers and stereotypes.
Donate in Honour of a Coach
Celebrate the impact of a coach who has made a difference in your life or your community by making a donation in their honour. Your support helps us provide quality training, resources, and development opportunities to our coaches, ensuring they can continue to inspire and empower our athletes to reach their full potential.
Every contribution helps us build a more inclusive world through the transformative power of sport.