“We’re like family,” the five-pin bowlers say whenever they practice in preparation for the Special Olympics BC Winter Games held in Kamloops from today through Sunday.
Carol Lee, their dedicated coach, has been volunteering for more than a dozen years and most of the athletes she trains have been there as long as she has.
“We all consider the five-pin bowlers as our extended family,” Lee said.
There are six local bowlers going to the B.C. competition, five on the Prince George team and one, Lance Pattinson, stepping in to help out the Dawson Creek team.
The Prince George 5-pin bowling team includes Adam Spokes, Audrey Nelson, Debbie Bileck, Leif Skuggedal and Matthew Brewer and their combined scores over six games, three played on Friday and three on Saturday determine the winner. At the BC Winter Games, athletes get the chance to qualify for the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary.
“Adam is quite a character,” Lee said. “He is happy-go-lucky. He’s going to paint his nails because when we’ve gone to competitions he paints his nails and he says that his good luck charm to make his nails sparkly.”
And does it work?
“We’ve gone to nationals,” Lee confirmed. “These players all love the game and especially Adam. He loves his sports and plays floor hockey, 10-pin bowling and participates in Club Fit (a fitness program the Special Olympians participate in for cardiovascular fitness and well being.) At times he does four or five sports.”
Adam has been bowling for years and knows that it’s always more appealing to do something you’re good at, he said.
“I like it that I’m always looking for my personal best and I don’t have to worry about anything else,” Adam explained. “If I bring up my average, and I do good then that brings up the team and the tournaments are the proof of that.”
Adam confirmed that he will be putting the sparkly nail polish on his finger nails for the BC Winter Games.
“Before I came to Special O I was doing camps for kids and a good way to connect with them was to do something silly like that so now I do it here to lighten the atmosphere,” Adam explained. “I really like lightening the mood especially if it’s something silly like painting my nails. I’ve always been weird that way, it’s OK with me if people point and laugh at me!”
For more information about the BC Winter Games, the athletes and how to volunteer and support them visit https://www.specialolympics.ca/british-columbia.
