Special Olympics Yukon is looking for people to “change lives through sport.”
The organization is looking for volunteers to work with athletes this fall and winter in track and field, soccer, bowling and rhythmic gymnastics. SOY hopes to recruit one of two volunteers for each sport and specifically a head coach for rhythmic gymnastics.
“Being a Special Olympics Yukon coach has been a very rewarding experience for me. The athletes are an exceptional group, always caring and willing to help,” said Whitehorse’s Ken Binns, who has been volunteering for six years, coaching soccer and floor hockey.
“I have become a better person since coaching for Special Olympics Yukon. The athletes have taught me patience, tolerance, love for the game, to never give up, and no matter what, have fun.”
Head coaches can expect to donate two to three hours of their time a week and sport volunteers one to two, depending on the sport. Some sports run twice a week and others only once.
No experience is required and training is provided.
SOY administers activities for over 90 athletes with intellectual disabilities in multiple summer and winter sports year-round.
For more information, contact SOY program director Brettanie Deal-Porter at 668-6511 or by email at bdealporter@specialolympicsyukon.ca.
“Coaching athletes with an intellectual disability is a very rewarding experience,” said Special Olympics Yukon executive director Serge Michaud, in a media release. “I began my own journey with Special Olympics as a volunteer coach. I saw how much fun the athletes were having and the personal joy I felt in helping them reach their sport goals.”
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com