The Local Weekly The heart and soul of our communities with news and information about the Sunshine Coast
Happy New Year! Here’s a quick look back at 2018 year’s end.
On Thursday, Dec. 6, at Gibsons Elementary, the Gibsons Bball team gave some visiting firefighters a run for their money. There were great passes, baskets and plays made on both sides.
Cody Robinson of the Gibsons Firefighters says they were invited to play with the athletes in order to prepare them for a possible upcoming tourney. He said he was “excited to take part” and that “it was fun to be active” He also said the firefighters would be interested in playing floor hockey and soccer.
Amber Maher of the Gibsons Bball team said it was “very interesting and fun” She has played basketball for 10-15 years. She once played for the Sechelt team but moved to Gibsons almost eight years ago.
Pat Stuart, left, coordinator for Special Olympics Sunshine Coast, accepts a donation from Jordan McCourt at the group’s Christmas party. Helen Halet photo
Newcomer Sam Fitzgerald said it was “awesome” to have the chance to play alongside stiffer competition.
Head coach Sam Giampa has great goals for her team this season. “I want them to have lots of fun and to show sportsmanship.” She hopes her athletes will play a tourney in Coquitlam and also games with different community organizations such as the Gibsons Fire Department every four to six weeks.
Assistant coach Dave Diether has similar goals. Get a good workout, play games with groups such as the RCMP and of course with the Sechelt team. Dave also likes to referee games.
This game was the last for coach Laurie Miller. She is moving to Nanaimo, but as she put it, “When one door closes, another one opens”. Laurie says she will always remember “all the fun I’ve had and all the friends I have made through Special O.” Do her future plans involve S.O? “Yes, there is a Nanaimo Association For Community Living and that will be my connection to Special Olympics.” Fare thee well Laurie, and do come to visit us, eh.
Chelsea Rogers, Community Development Coordinator for SOBC and the Lower Mainland came to visit the game as well. She’s had the position for a little over a year and she enjoys “meeting the athletes, seeing how talented they are and being impressed and inspired by the hard-working volunteers.”
Our annual Christmas banquet at the Sechelt Legion was a smashing success. From generous donations, to fabulous food and of course Santa Claus, everything was perfect. Thank you to Paul Lith for his donation on behalf of the Sechelt Legion and a huge thank you to Jordan McCourt for a whopping donation. Oh, and the music was great too.
