On Friday, Vanier Secondary hosted a new, three-on-three basketball tournament that celebrated student-athletes with intellectual disabilities. Five teams participated, two each from Vanier and Mark Isfeld Secondary and one from Dover Bay Secondary in Nanaimo.
The first-time event was a partnership with Special Olympics B.C., modelled after a similar program in Ontario.
Judging by the smiles on the faces of players, and the cheering from the stands, the event was a resounding success.
“It’s a great way to showcase the athletes’ ability, get the message out and word out about Special Olympics, what we offer in the community,” said Isfeld work experience co-ordinator Randy James, who co-ordinates Special Olympics in the Comox Valley. “And for some of the athletes who would otherwise not receive the opportunity to do these types of events, it allows them to showcase their skills in front of their peers at the high school level.”
The 10 players comprising the two Isfeld Ice teams had practised twice a week for more than two months heading into the tournament.
“They all have varying developmental disabilities,” said lifeskills teacher Kari Bennett, who coached the teams along with education assistants Mary Griffith and Sara Kempner. “They’re all different kids, but they are a really wonderful, inspirational group of kids. They have completely embraced this. When they found out we had this opportunity, they all committed right away.”
All players proudly wore their school jerseys, and were awarded ribbons at the end of the round-robin tourney.
“It’s bringing team sports to high schools in the Special Olympics world,” Bennett said. “It was an amazing opportunity, not only for inclusion but just having kids experience team sports. These kids don’t get a lot of team sport opportunities, for varying reasons. Some of these kids have limited experience in playing team sports, so the whole thing around winning and losing and co-operating can be difficult for them.
“But most importantly, they feel part of a team,” Bennett added. “The whole school at Isfeld has wrapped their arms around this.”