Sports – Special Olympics BC

Sports - SOBC Coquitlam 2024

The sports programs provided by the Coquitlam region of Special Olympics BC are listed below. They are divided into two seasons:

Summer Sports (April to June)
Winter Sports (September to April)
Youth Programs

Please note that some sports start later in the season than others. Please see the detailed schedule when you register for more information.

Registration is held at the end of August each year. There is a $15.00 registration fee for each sport. If an athlete wishes to register for more than three sports, the total fee is capped at $50.00.

Please note that some sports require additional fees to cover the costs of rental of facilities etc. Please see the individual sports descriptions for more information.

Summer Sports

Track & Field (Athletics)

Track & Field (Athletics) includes a wide range of exciting events, including track, distance, field and multi-disciplinary competitions.

Special Olympics BC also offers events for lower ability athletes to train and compete in basic athletic skills. The development of these key skills is necessary to advance to longer competitive events. See the SOBC website for more track & field program information.

Coach - Joanne Turnbull

Location - Centennial Senior Secondary School - track field across the street from the school

Schedule - Wednesday evenings (6:00 - 8:00 pm) Starts Apr 2025

Soccer

Soccer is one of the world's most popular sports and is also one of the most popular sports in Special Olympics. In addition to offering five-a-side soccer, Special Olympics soccer offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic soccer skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advance to team competition. See the SOBC website for more soccer program information.

Coach - Wes Sim

Location - Charles Best Secondary School - track field

Schedule - Monday evenings (6:00 - 7:30 pm) Starts Apr 2025

Golf

Golf is a lifetime sport that is great for athletes of any age and offers the unique opportunity for families to play and enjoy a sport together. See the SOBC website for more golf program information.

Note, there is an additional $70.00 fee for this program.

Coach - Don Bruneau

Location - Eagle Quest Golf Course

Schedule:

Monday evenings (6:30 - 8:00/8:30 pm) Starts Apr 2025
Thursday evenings (6:30 - 8:00/8:30 pm) Starts Apr 2025

Softball

Softball is an exciting Special Olympics team sport. Special Olympics athletes play slow-pitch softball, which involves two teams of 10 athletes. Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic softball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary to advance to team competition. See the SOBC website for more softball program information.

Coach - Rebecca Fisher

Location - Mundy Park softball fields #1 and #2

Schedule:

Tuesday evenings (6:30 - 8:00 pm) Starts Apr 2025
Saturday mornings (9:30 - 11:00 am) Starts Apr 2025

Bocce

Bocce is a game of skill and strategy. Each player is given two balls and takes a turn rolling the ball toward the smallest ball (pallina), which has already been thrown onto the field. The players are given points for the balls thrown closest to the pallina. Players may also throw on the fly, striking the ball to move the pallina. Other players can displace the balls (including the pallina). See the SOBC website for more bocce information.

Team Competition (four players per team)

Coach - Tina Taylor

Location - Centennial Senior Secondary School - track field

Schedule - Sunday (4:00 - 5:00 pm) Starts Apr 2025

Winter Sports

Alpine Skiing

Alpine skiing is an exciting winter sport that challenges athletes’ downhill racing ability and coordination while barrelling down a mountain at speeds of up to 64 kilometers per hour.

Please note that this is not a 'Learn to Ski' program. Competitive skiers only, please. See the SOBC website for more Alpine skiing program information.

Note, the participant must purchase a ski pass directly to participate in this program (a portion of the cost will be reimbursed by SOBC Coquitlam).

Coach - Mark Schnurr

Location - Cypress Mountain

Schedule - Monday evenings (5:00 - 9:00 pm) Starts Jan 2025

Curling

Curling requires strategy, physical ability, and a true team effort. Athletes work in teams of four, in an attempt to place their rocks closest to the center of a series of four rings called the house. The team with the most number of stones closest to the center is awarded points accordingly. Teams typically play eight ends and the team with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner. See the SOBC website for more curling program information.

Coach - Janice Sibley

Location - Port Moody Recreation Centre

Schedule - Saturdays (9:30 - 11:30 am) Starts Sep 28

Basketball

Basketball teaches teamwork and the skills of the game in five-per-side team competitions. Teams are grouped into divisions according to the athletes' ability level. Athletes can also compete in individual skills contests. These events are designed for lower-ability athletes. See the SOBC website for more basketball program information.

Head Coach - Greg Bodin

Location - All Saints Church Gym

Schedule:

Group C: Monday evenings (6:00 - 7:00 pm) Starts Sep 23
Group B: Monday evenings (7:00 - 8:00 pm) Starts Sep 23

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic Gymnastics helps gymnasts develop strength, flexibility and artistry. Competitions are offered for women in rhythmic events. Gymnasts may compete in all events offered (all around) or may be specialists, competing in one, two or more (but not all) events. See the SOBC website for more rhythmic gymnastics program information.

Coach - Jessie Au

Location - Seaview Elementary

Schedule - Wednesday evenings (7:30 - 8:30 pm) Starts Sep 25

Swimming (Aquatics)

Swimming (Aquatics) offers a wide array of swimming events that are appropriate for athletes of various ages and ability levels. Aquatics training and competitions are available in a variety of strokes and levels. There is also a 'Learn to Swim' program. See the SOBC website for more aquatic program information.

Note, there is an additional $25.00 fee for this program.

Coach - Melinda Markser

Location - Poirier Sports Centre (Chimo pool)

Schedule:

Learn to Swim Monday evenings (5:00 - 5:30 pm) Starts Sep 23
Lengths Swim Monday evenings (5:30 - 6:30 pm) Starts Sep 23

Bowling

There are 5-pin and 10-pin bowling programs available. Bowling is one of the highest participation sports in Special Olympics Canada, and 5-pin bowling is the most popular by far, with more than 2,100 registered athletes in BC. Although there are some modifications made for athletes with physical disabilities, most athletes compete under the same rules and circumstances as those on a professional tour. See the SOBC website for more 5 pin and 10 pin bowling program information. Note: bowling fees are paid weekly by the athlete.

Coaches

Denise Currie (5 pin - Tuesdays)
Irene Balfour (5 pin - Saturdays)
Brandon Ngai (10 pin - Saturdays)

Locations

5 pin - Port Coquitlam Bowl
10 pin - Zone Bowling

Schedules

5 pin - Tuesday afternoons (3:15 - 5:30 pm) Starts Sep 24
5 pin - Saturday mornings (9:00 - 11:00 am) Starts Sep 21
10 pin - Saturday afternoons (1:30 - 3:30 pm) Starts Sep 21

Floor Hockey

Floor hockey is adapted from the games of ice hockey and ringette and is the only team sport in Special Olympics Winter Sports. Floor hockey is played in a rink surfaced with wood or concrete. The teams are composed of six players, including a goalie. Athletes use wooden poles (without blades) as sticks and large felt discs with an open center as pucks. Special Olympics Floor Hockey also offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic floor hockey skills. The development of these key skills is necessary to advance to team play. See the SOBC website for more floor hockey program information.

Coaches - Noah Musgrave and Janine Yu

Location - Coquitlam Forum

Schedule - Thursday evenings (6:00 to 7:00 pm) Starts Sep 26

Figure Skating*

*Program is not offered at this time.

Speed Skating & Learn to Skate

Speed skating is a popular Special Olympics sport that showcases athletes' strength, speed and coordination. In faster heats, Special Olympics speed skaters may reach speeds of 32 kilometres per hour. See the SOBC website for more speed skating program for more information. There is also a 'Learn to Skate' program.

Note, there is an additional $50.00 fee for the speed skating program.
Note, there is an additional $25.00 fee for the learn to skate program.

Coaches - Rosella Infanti and Dylan Wertz (Learn to Skate)

Locations

Speed Skating - Planet Ice (Coquitlam)
Learn to Skate - Pourier Sports Centre

Schedules

Speed Skating - Sunday mornings (11:15 - 12:45 pm) Starts Sep 29
Learn to Skate - Sunday afternoons (4:15 - 5:15 pm) Starts Sep 22

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing offers athletes an excellent cardiovascular workout and allows participation for athletes of every ability level. It builds tremendous strength in the athletes while offering a fun and challenging workout. See the SOBC website for more snowshoe program information. Note, this program starts in January.

Note, there is an additional $50.00 fee for this program.

Coach - Kristine Lawson

Location - Mt. Seymour

Schedule - Sunday mornings (8:30 - 11:30 am) Starts Jan 2025

Club Fit & Athletic Club

Club Fit is part of the Special Olympics long-term athlete development model. It aims to improve athletes’ overall wellness by helping them optimize potential and provide lifelong activity opportunities. Athletic Club is low-intensity cardio training. Club Fit Cardio Training is high-intensity cardio training. See the SOBC website for more Club Fit & Athletic Club information.

Coaches -

Heather Ria (Athletic Club)

Joanne Turnbull (Cardio Club Fit)

Locations

Athletic Club - Alderson Elementary school gymnasium
Club Fit - Alderson Elementary school gymnasium

Schedules

Athletic Club Tuesday evenings (6:30 - 7:30 pm) Starts Oct 1
Club Fit Cardio Training Tuesday evenings (7:30 - 8:30 pm) Starts Oct 1

Active Start (ages 2 - 6)

Active Start is a family-centered activity program targeting children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 2 and 6. Through the Active Start program, children learn basic motor skills such as walking, running, jumping and throwing in a fun and safe environment.

Children who get involved with Active Start can't stop smiling, and their parents and caregivers have a great time playing along and watching their kids blossom and develop essential skills. See the SOBC website for more Active Start program information.

FUNdamentals (ages 7 - 11)

The FUNdamentals program is a continuation of the Active Start program for children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 7 and 11, with the skills transitioning from basic movement skills to basic sports skills. The family-centered program provides children with a more in-depth introduction to sport-related motor skills along with training and competition while maintaining an atmosphere of fun and meaningful interaction.

This program introduces the sports of soccer, softball, basketball and track and field, and provides children with the opportunity to learn and practice the sports skills necessary for participants to later move into community or traditional Special Olympics programs.

The FUNdamentals program also introduces basic nutrition information to both parents and children through a series of fun activities at the conclusion of each session.

The athletes-in-training who delight in their Active Start and FUNdamentals programs can take their sports skills to the next level by participating SOBC's Sport Start programs. See the SOBC website for more FUNdamentals program information.

Coaches - Rachel English Renee English

Location - Port Moody Recreation Centre

Schedule - Saturday afternoons (3:30 - 4:30 pm) Starts Sep 21