Coaching Special Olympics: A Family Affair

For the Alexander family, coaching and volunteering and with Special Olympics is more than a fun family activity—it’s a shared passion that has shaped their lives over the past 15 years. Sally and Peter Alexander, along with their children Evan, Robyn, Krystal, and Chance, have each found unique ways to contribute their time, energy, and hearts to the organization.

The family's involvement with Special Olympics began with their eldest son, Evan, who started coaching a group of young athletes called the Special Olympics "Spiders" to fulfill his high school volunteer hours. Inspired by Evan’s involvement, Sally and Peter soon began volunteering at local track meets, Provincial Games, and other events. Before long, their younger children joined in, turning volunteering into a family affair. Even today, as the kids have grown older, they continue to volunteer at Special Olympics events whenever they can.

Sally fondly recalls a memorable moment when Evan ran into an athlete he had coached 15 years earlier. "They were all grown up and still competing," she says. "It’s heartwarming to see the progress they’ve made and the joy they still approach every moment with."

For Sally, her decision to volunteer was solidified after attending her first local track meet. A lifelong runner who always encouraged her children to play sports, Sally found new appreciation for the power of sport at that event. "I saw an athlete fall during a race, and another athlete further ahead stopped to help him back up before continuing," she remembers. "That moment of sportsmanship and camaraderie stayed with me. It’s a powerful reminder of what sport is truly about."

Sally believes every child, with or without an intellectual or developmental disability, should experience Special Olympics, whether through Unified Sports or volunteering with their families. "Teaching the importance of inclusion from a young age is so meaningful," she says. "It teaches the value of participating, competing and being part of a team – and not taking that opportunity for granted."

Over the past four years, Sally and Peter have deepened their volunteer commitment by taking on coaching roles. They now run one of the local Special Olympics Active Start youth programs, working with a group of about eight children aged 2 to 7 each season. This decision came after both Sally and Peter faced serious health challenges—Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Peter suffered a heart attack. As they regained their health and found themselves as empty nesters, they knew that coaching was their next chapter.

Sally emphasizes that every achievement is celebrated. "For some, the win is doing something independently for the first time without mom and dad; for others, it’s improving motor skills or finding new ways to communicate. Every success is celebrated," she says.

When asked what she would say to someone considering coaching with Special Olympics, Sally doesn’t hesitate. "I’ve volunteered at many places, but Special Olympics is our family's favourite because of the meaningful interactions. For me, volunteering means having the chance to meet people I might never have met otherwise. Every experience is positive. And while I always hope my interactions have brightened someone else's day, I know for certain they have made mine better."

As we celebrate National Coaches Week, the Alexander family's story is a shining example of how coaching can change lives, not just for the athletes but also for the coaches themselves. Their dedication, passion, and belief in every athlete's potential make them invaluable members of our Special Olympics community. This week – and every week – we honour them and all the incredible coaches who make a difference every day.