Special Olympics Sudbury leader named Canada’s Coach of the Year - Cheryl Bruce

I hope you have enjoyed the past six weeks of my columns, and know that you are more than welcome to join any of our sports. It is a great way to meet people, builds self-esteem and gives you opportunities that are wild.

We have our own athlete advocate. Mary Z is great at making sure our voices are heard at all the Special Olympics Ontario Sudbury executive meetings. Our executive is in the process of bringing a Healthy Athlete Program to northern Ontario in 2012, which will see specialists coming up to check our athletes out, making sure we are getting all we need and deserve health-wise.

Sudbury will host this and will have athletes from Sault Ste. Marie, Elliot Lake, Manitoulin, Blind River, Parry Sound, North Bay Sudbury East, Azilda, Chelmsford, and of course Sudbury. Keep your eyes open for dates when this will be happening. You don’t want to miss this opportunity.

To all my old friends, and hopefully now some new friends that will want to join in all the fun, have a great 2009/2010 season — I am sure I will see you all around.

There are lots of sports to choose from and I am sure you will all find what you are good at. Remember the best part of all this is the fun, friends and fantastic time with memories we will all have for years.

Remember, if you have any questions and you want to get in on this great sport opportunity, phone Lynne Houle, Sudbury’s Special Olympics co-ordinator at 855-1219 and get ready for a great year.

Special Olympics Ontario Sudbury needs you. Phone Lynne to volunteer, 855-1219.

I’d also like to say congratulations to Gerry Landry, who was named Provincial Coach of the Year and the Canadian Male Coach of the Year. Gerry is the head coach of the Sudbury track and field team and has been involved with Special Olympics for the last 15 years. He has also been the assistant coach for both floor hockey and five-pin bowling.

Thirteen years ago, Gerry formalized a program called the Fun and Fitness Club for his track athletes. This program was developed to ensure his athletes would keep active during the off-season. Always a professional, Gerry remains upbeat and positive while always looking for ways for the athletes and volunteers to better themselves.

As both a coach and a parent of a Special Olympics athlete, Gerry has a very good understanding of the realities that exist at the program level and as a result, has successfully developed many of his athletes on and off the playing field.

A committed and respected community member through his work, Gerry is truly a positive role model for his athletes. Bravo Gerry, well done!

Cheryl Bruce is the athlete ambassador for the northeast region of the Special Olympics in Ontario. This is the final in a series of six columns appearing in Northern Life.