New sports programs come to Prince George thanks to success of provincial games

“It helps develop self-esteem and confidence and abilities, networking to create friendships and confidence in entering any programs. Getting used to the ideas of sports and movement, healthy activity,” Hacker said.

“It’s super nice to find a group like this where children can be free. They can have their sensory needs met, all their needs met in a safe, secure manner with coaches who are also trained and educated on children of all needs,” said Nicole Green, who’s child Bo is in the Active Start program.

Green explains opportunities for sports, or group activities in general, are difficult to find, so programs like Active Start are a huge benefit to many families who can ensure their children, and the family as a whole, have spaces that can fully accommodate a wide variety of needs.

“It means a lot to our family because our other neurotypical children can still attend with Bo and be a support to Bo, but it also gives Bo a sense of his own space, his own team, when you sometimes don’t find that outwardly. So it’s really nice that it’s super secure and safe and inclusive here,” Green said.

“With ADHD and autism, which Bo has, you can, without any fault of his own, feel that you don’t belong. Not only that, when you don’t have the language skills or the social skills up to par, they often do fall through the cracks because they don’t know how to interact with children. In groups like this where you’re in a very similar situation, when you see children that are like you … they feel that, they sense that, and they they really start to adapt to it,” Green continued.

Bringing Active Start and FUNdamentals to Prince George was a goal Special Olympics Prince George had for many years, and seeing it finally start up with great community involvement has been fantastic for all parties involved.

“It’s so exciting to see that these children with and families with intellectual disabilities have somewhere to go and participate. Watching that program grow has really brings us a lot of joy,” Hacker said.

“Social emotional growth is so important in children’s development, and when they come to Active Start, they have their friends, they have their coaches that they now consider us friends as well. Just building those relationships helps prepare them for things like kindergarten even,” Hacker continued.

If you are interested in joining either Active Start or FUNdamentals, Hacker says there is still space to join. If you would like to learn more or register, she encourages you to visit the Special Olympics Website, or you can even drop in during Active Start, which is every Saturday from 9:00-10:15 a.m. at the AimHi Gym, or during FUNdamentals, which is Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Foothills Elementary School.

by Tommy Osborne

New sports programs come to Prince George thanks to success of provincial games

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