Special Olympics athletes sign up for another season

By Joan Janzen

KINDERSLEY – Another year of activities began at the Special Olympics in-person registration on Wednesday evening, September 9 at Elizabeth Middle School. Registration took place in the library, where staff members were on hand to assist with sign-ups for swimming, bowling and bocce.

Sign here for a season of fun. Special Olympics Kindersley and District volunteers took registrations for swimming, bowling and bocce in the Elizabeth Middle School library on Wednesday, September 9. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

"We have athletes who come from Kerrobert and one athlete who comes from Oyen to join our bowling program," Maureen Dobbin explained.

Athletes bowl two games every Thursday evening, swimming takes place weekly on Wednesday evening, and bocce is held at the mall every Tuesday evening.

These valuable programs help the athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and have a lot of fun. As the athletes return each year to register for the new year, it's obvious they enjoy the activities.

The organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Kindersley and surrounding area. Some parents and grandparents drop off their participating athletes, but others love to stay and watch.

"There are a couple of athletes who participate in all three programs, but most do one or two," Maureen noted. The participants range in age from eight years all the way up to 60.