Program offers athletes early start

A new Special Olympics BC program is aiming to give potential athletes an early start.

This weekend, the Prince George branch of the organization is launching Active Start, a 12-week family program for kids between the ages of two and six.

The first of the weekly hour-long sessions is Sunday at 10 a.m. at the AimHi gymnasium.

Active Start, which first launched in Vancouver, targets children with intellectual disabilities or those having issues with growth motor delyas, said local Special Olympics co-ordinator Alexandra Orser.

Through parent-participation games and activities, participants will learn basics such as running, jumping, throwing and walking with kids their own age.

"It's to help them get ready for other Special Olympics sports when they're a little bit older," said Orser. Regular Special Olympics programming has a minimum age of eight for participation.

Active Start gives potential Special Olympians a head start at an early age, Orser said.

"When they're two, their mind's kind of like a sponge. They learn things a lot easier, they're probably more enthusiastic to learn things, too. And having the parents along with them, too, helps out quite a bit," she said.

In addition to building the necessary skills for participation in any (or all) of the 15 programs offered locally, Active Start will also build confidence that will only continue to grow with further Special Olympics participation, said Orser.

"It's amazing just seeing people from the beginning of season to the end of the season, the confidence they build, the skills they build, especially the friends they meet doing it," said Orser, who also coaches soccer.

"Special Olympics is almost like a little community: they're all friends, they all travel together, it's a lot of fun. We have lots of athletes who are involved in almost every sport because they enjoy it so much. And we have awesome volunteers as well."

There is no fee for Active Start and pre-registration isn't required, but those interested in having their kids attend are encouraged to contact Alexandra Orser in advance at [email protected] so they have some indication of the numbers.