Prince George bocce team looking forward to hosting Special Olympics

“It’s extremely exciting, the athletes have been preparing since November of last year, indoors, specifically for this event,” adda Bocce Team Coach Waylon Becker.

The Games will take place from July 10-12 in Prince George, and the chance to host an event that will bring more than 1200 athletes from across the province has the Special Olympics Athletes excited to show off their skills and the city.

“I’m totally excited, I love Prince George,’ said Special Olympics Athlete Tara Chiasson.

“Please come out and help and watch us and support us, because we’re Prince George. We’re Special Olympics,” Chiasson continued.

The Special Olympics Bocce Team is hoping their hard work pays off with a gold medal, and adds they’re looking forward to hopefully taking advantage of home field advantage with the community supporting them.

“I’m just hoping my team kicks butt!” Caldwell said.

While home field advantage will certainly be enjoyed, equally as important to some of the athletes is the chance to see some friends and fellow competitors from Special Olympics BC.

“I’ve got some friends down in Campbell River that will be coming up for provincial games. I haven’t seen them since last provincials in Kamloops. It will be nice to meet again off-ice and on home turf, on grass,” Caldwell said.

“There’s an extra layer of excitement that’s been floating around with the Special Olympics community in our local (group) for some time now,” Becker added.

Bocce has been growing in popularity recently, as this is just the second year it has been added to Special Olympics BC-Prince George programming. Becker explains the accessibility of the sport has been fantastic in getting athletes of all backgrounds involved, and beyond that, the athletes say it’s just a really fun sport.

“I just wish more people would actually come out to bocce. It’s fun. You get to meet interesting people, friendships that last a lifetime,” Chiasson said.

As the program grows, so to does the need for volunteers. Becker has been volunteering and coaching since 2018, and he says it is extremely rewarding to be a volunteer and hopes more people join in.

“It’s extremely important, not just for the athletes in the community, but for ourselves as well. There’s a lot of growth, a lot of excitement when you see athletes wanting to achieve the level that they can compete at. It’s very empowering,” Becker said.

As the Games get closer and closer, the athletes all shared one message: “Go Prince George!”

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by Tommy Osborne

Prince George bocce team looking forward to hosting Special Olympics

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