Brock Jesse, a competitive Special Olympics cross-country skier, never had a local team to be a part of growing up. The 19-year-old started the sport at the age of nine in the Calgary chapter and began competing five years ago. In the last few years, Brock has won multiple silver medals in provincial competitions and both a silver and bronze at a national competition in 2016. But it wasn't until a local club started last season in Cochrane that he had a team to call his own and now the new chapter is looking for the community's support Bow Valley Special Olympics, initiated January 2018 and part of Special Olympics of Alberta, is modestly sized. It offers exactly one sport presently – cross-country skiing – and its home to six athletes (four from Cochrane), four coaches and five volunteers. The club's focus is to provide a space for athletes within the Cochrane and Canmore areas. "Great to be part of it. Just different people and competing and making friends," Brock said. An online auction is the group's latest effort to grow its roots in the community and the organizers have two goals in mind – raising enough to help fund the pricey attire and fees associated with the winter sport and to expand the club's capacity to as many of the 18 sports offered by Special Olympics as possible. "As long as we have an interest from athletes and people willing to come on volunteers and coaches we'll do any of those sports," said Lynda Jesse, Brock's mother and a volunteer of Bow Valley Special Olympics. Lynda added that many of the athletes within the Bow Valley club are on fixed incomes meaning buying new gear, team uniforms and paying for competition fees add up. The club's volunteer administration is also covering operation costs out of pocket. "Right now, we're just a small group and we're just paying for it all ourselves," she said. Lynda is hoping the club can raise between $4,000 and $6,000 on the online auction, which will run from Nov. 24 to Dec. 4 on the Facebook event page "Auction: Special Olympics Bow Valley." The club entered a CIR Reality contest for funding this past fall. Though the group didn't win, Lynda said it was one step toward getting its name known. "Being a part of a team is a great experience for our athletes, providing important life skills while also allowing them to work on their individual techniques and goals," Lynda said. "Special Olympics is more than just sport, it is about living a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle. It is our goal to be able to give our athletes the opportunity to learn from various professionals in the health and wellness industry from our fundraising efforts." The Bow Valley club includes athletes from all levels including beginner, recreational and competitive skiers who have been to previous Special Olympics Provincial, National and World Winter Games. The athletes train in classic and skate ski at the Canmore Nordic Centre and dryland training is in both Cochrane and Canmore. "We are excited to be attracting more athletes and hope to get the word out about our program." Alberta had a strong showing in the last Canadian National Games earning 119 medals – 43 gold, 47 silver 29 bronze. Though the Bow Valley Club has yet to add summer sports to its program, one Cochrane competitor helped add to Alberta's medal count. Paul Oldridge, who competes out of the Calgary Chapter as Jesse once did, won gold in golf in the men's fifth division. For more information or to register as a volunteer or athlete email Special Olympics Bow Valley at [email protected].
