Bowlers are set to topple pins and inspire spectators at 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games.

An enthusiastic supporter of Special Olympics, Gord Wiffen can91裸聊视频檛 wait to see bowlers give their all at the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games, taking place in Greater Vernon Feb. 21 to 23.

91裸聊视频淚 love to watch the competition and the athletes just get so excited,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think there is anybody who tries harder or has a bigger heart than those athletes. They are just amazing, they really are.91裸聊视频�

The event will see more than 600 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the province compete in eight sports. It will also mark the debut of 5-pin bowling at Special Olympics BC Winter Games, as it was previously part of the summer sports cycle. Vernon91裸聊视频檚 Lincoln Lanes, which is owned by Wiffen and his sister Sandi Soroka, will host the sport.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 quite an honour,91裸聊视频� Wiffen says 91裸聊视频淲e are excited to be involved.91裸聊视频�

Lincoln Lanes has a long history of supporting Special Olympics. The facility is home to Special Olympics BC 91裸聊视频� Vernon91裸聊视频檚 year-round bowling program, and its athletes have been throwing strikes and spares at Lincoln Lanes for almost 35 years.

Wiffen has coached bowling and softball with Special Olympics and says he always enjoys spending time with the organization91裸聊视频檚 dedicated volunteers.

91裸聊视频淭hey are amazing,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淲e have had some fantastic people who have given their time to make it happen.91裸聊视频�

A big reason Wiffen loves bowling is because people of all ages and abilities can play together. He says bowling91裸聊视频檚 inclusive nature fits well with the spirit of Special Olympics, and the sport gives athletes opportunities to meet new people and be part of a bigger community.

Special Olympics BC 91裸聊视频� Kelowna athlete Parker Begg is one of more than 130 bowlers who will converge on Lincoln Lanes for Provincial Games. He has been training hard and will compete with the Region 2 team, which is comprised of athletes from the Okanagan.

91裸聊视频淚 am so excited,91裸聊视频� Begg says.

Begg has been a Special Olympics athlete for 10 years and this will be his first Provincial Games. He91裸聊视频檚 pumped to meet new people and spend time with his teammates. He also says the event will give him an opportunity to be more independent, as this will be his first time away from home. Begg says his goal for the Games is to make his team proud.

91裸聊视频淚 want to win and try my best,91裸聊视频� he says.

Wiffen encourages people in his community to come out and watch hardworking athletes like Begg compete with pride during Games.

91裸聊视频淐ome out and watch and have a good time and enjoy, because it91裸聊视频檚 good entertainment 91裸聊视频� it really is,91裸聊视频� Wiffen says. 91裸聊视频淵ou won91裸聊视频檛 see anybody not trying their hardest, that91裸聊视频檚 for sure.91裸聊视频�

The 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games is looking for volunteers, and Wiffen says volunteering is a great way to experience this inspiring event. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 very rewarding to work with the athletes, it91裸聊视频檚 a very worthy cause,91裸聊视频� he says.

Volunteer registration is available at www.sobcgamesvernon.ca, or at the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games office, located at VantageOne Credit Union, 3108 33 Avenue.

newstips@vernonmorningstar.com
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