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2009 / 2010 Program Information
Aims
To provide year-round opportunities for adults and youths with intellectual disabilities to participate in individual and team sports in which they are interested, at the appropriate challenging level of competition.
To provide the coaching and facilities necessary to assist the athletes reach their potential in their chosen sports.
Special Olympics is more than just an athletic program. The following statement from the Special Olympics International website eloquently sums up the philosophy of the program
Athletes with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but their voices as well.
Athletes at all levels of aptitude are encouraged to participate.
Athletes are grouped for competition based on their abilities. This practice, termed divisioning, ensures that all athletes experience equitable competition, which serves to enhance self-confidence and fosters a positive self-image.
Volunteers
Our volunteers are the crux of the St. Albert Special Olympics Organization. Without them, the team and individual sporting activities would not exist.
Training is provided for the team coaches.
Volunteer assistants are also needed for many of the activities (notably, bowling, where there are in excess of 100 athletes).
If interested in volunteering in one of the programs, or if you have some skills that you would like to share as part of a new activity, please contact the Chairperson of the St. Albert Special Olympics Management Committee.
Programs / Activities Offered in St. Albert
Swimming
Mondays
600 700 p.m.
(September May)
Location Fountain Park Recreation Centre,
4 Cunningham Road
Activities include learning and enhancing basic swimming skills leading to competitive lane swimming for those interested in participating in regional or Provincial meets.
Floor Hockey
Tuesdays
630 800 p.m.
(September April)
Location Sir George Simpson Jr. High
50 Grosvenor Blvd.
St. Albert has teams in two divisions one at the B level, and one at the lower functioning D level. Both teams offer an energetic workout in a structured team environment.
The teams compete against Special Olympics teams from other communities and other invited teams from the community. (See also Special Events.)
Athletic Club
Wednesdays, 630 - 800 p.m.
(September May)
Location Sir George Simpson Jr. High
50 Grosvenor Blvd.
Activities are varied, and include basketball, indoor soccer, beach volleyball, floor hockey, dodge ball, tobogganing, broomball, and the annual trip to a local driving range. The emphasis is on fun physical activities on Wednesday nights.
Track Field
Wednesdays
630 - 800 p.m.
(May June)
Location
To be announced
Track events and limited field events are offered in this program. Athletes are coached and encouraged to improve their
performance in each of the events.
Athletes participate in regional and Provincial Special Olympics track meets.
Bowling
Saturdays
1145 200 p.m.
(September May)
Location St. Albert Bowling Centre Inc.
14 Inglewood Drive
With over 100 athletes, 5 pin bowling is St. Alberts most popular event. Volunteer coaches provide individual attention to the athletes on each lane. The athletes are encouraged to improve their personal scores each week.
Athletes in wheelchairs can participate through the use of a special ramp delivery system. (See also Special Events.)
Slo-Pitch
Saturdays
930 1130 a.m.
(June August)
Location
Grosvenor Park Ball Diamonds
(south of Grosvenor Pool)
St. Albert fields two teams (in two divisions). The Saturday morning practices (and occasional games) are in preparation for the St. Paul Invitational Slo-Pitch Tournament in August, where teams from Alberta and Saskatchewan compete in the different divisions.
Soccer
Mondays
700 830 p.m.
(May September)
Location
To be announced
Soccer is another popular sport that promotes physical fitness and team play. Sufficient athletes come out to form two teams that practice against each other.
The team competes against Special Olympics teams from other communities and other invited teams from the community.
Special Events
St. Albert Invitational Bowling / Floor Hockey Tournament
Each February, St. Albert Special Olympics plays host to over 300 coaches and athletes from across the Province. Bowlers compete for individual and team awards. The floor hockey teams compete in a series of round robin matches in each division.
After a strenuous day of competition on Saturday, all of the athletes gather for a banquet and dance, where old friendships are renewed and new ones are made.
Sunday brings the Awards Presentations and Breakfast where the accomplishments of the previous day are acknowledged and celebrated.
Social Evenings
A social evening and dance is held on the last Friday of every month throughout the fall and winter. This is a special evening for the
athletes where they can cut loose and enjoy an evening of camaraderie. This is a very popular and eagerly anticipated event sponsored by St. Albert Special Olympics.
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Lac Ste. Anne Special Olympics is affiliated with St. Albert Special Olympics and offers two additional winter activities
cross-country skiing
snowshoeing
These activities begin in late October and run through the winter months on Saturdays. For additional information on these two activities, contact Barb Umpherville at (780) 962-5935.
Contact Information
For further information about the programs offered, athlete eligibility, volunteer information, or making a donation to St. Albert Special Olympics, please contact
Wendy Stiver, Chairperson,
St. Albert Special Olympics Management Committee
Tel (780) 458-7624
P.O. Box 206
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
T8N 1N3 |
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Contact: Wendy Stiver
Ph: 780-458-7624
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Sports Offered:
5-Pin Bowling
Aquatics
Athletics
Floor Hockey
Outdoor Soccer
Softball |
