Amber Harriman is set to lace up her figure skates as she joins Team Alberta 2020 for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay, but this time she will be doing so as a world champion. As a member of Team Canada’s rhythmic gymnastics team in 2019, Amber Harriman put on spectacular performances in every single event. She … Read More
Meet the Pack: Donald Bootsma
Donald is one of our most experienced curlers at Special Olympics and he will finally be getting his chance – at 56 years-old – to represent Alberta at his first ever Nationals in Thunder Bay. Entering his 30th year with Special Olympics, Donald is thrilled with attending his first Nationals and the chance at competing against the nation’s best. Although, … Read More
Meet the Pack: Matthew Pedwell
For the Pedwells, coaching in Special Olympics has been a family affair as both Matthew and his wife Chelsee have been heavily involved for over a decade now. Matthew would always drive his wife to volunteer at Special Olympics programs and after seeing the joy it brought her, he decided to sign up too. That joy quickly blossomed and Matthew … Read More
Meet the Pack: Nikki King
Two things always remain true when it comes to Nikki King – she is always going to try her best and she is going to do so with a huge smile on her face. The 37-year-old brings positivity and experience to Team Alberta 2020 where she will compete as part of the snowshoe team. Even though she is on Team … Read More
Meet the Pack: Faye St. Onge
Faye is one of our longest tenured coaches at Special Olympics Alberta and she has been with sharing her wisdom with our athletes for 33 years. Originally, Faye got her start with Special Olympics when she enrolled her daughter Jody in the 5-pin bowling program in Calgary. The whole family quickly fell in love with the atmosphere Special Olympics provided … Read More
Meet the Pack: Jody St. Onge
97 incredible athletes make up Team Alberta 2020 and if you are looking for someone who works hard, encourages her teammates, and is always looking to make a positive impact, look no further than Jody St. Onge. Jody is an experienced bowler who has participated in Special Olympics programs for 33 years. She has been involved ever since she was … Read More
Meet the Pack: Aleena Lazar
The Camrose Strike Force bowling team will be going to their first ever Nationals games together and their amazing name was created by none other than Aleena Lazar. Coach Faye St. Onge has been especially impressed with Aleena’s growth as a person since she joined Special Olympics and fondly remembers when Aleena’s vision for the Strike Force name. Aleena has … Read More
Meet the Pack: Anthony Strasser
Anthony hasn’t been playing floor hockey long, but he picked it up naturally and has worked hard to become a strong player on the team. He joins a number of players on the Special Olympics Alberta-Wetaskiwin team that will be making their Nationals debut in Thunder Bay. The Wetaskiwin team has been training together out of the Manluk Centre, where … Read More
Meet the Pack: Barb Prystai
Spins, turns, and dancing on ice is Barb’s specialty and there is no one more qualified to lead Team Alberta figure skating than her. Barb has been with Special Olympics for over 20 years, but she has been a professional figure skating coach for 45. This will be her fifth straight appearance with Team Alberta and the Calgary coach has … Read More
Pat Enns: Inspiring Athletes One Spare at a Time
“A GOOD COACH CAN CHANGE A GAME. A GREAT COACH CAN CHANGE A LIFE.” – JOHN WOODEN Special Olympics Alberta has been blessed with incredible coaches since our inception in 1980 and like the great John Wooden once proclaimed a great coach can change a life – Pat Enns is the epitome of this statement. For the past 26 years … Read More