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Teen athletes from throughout the Thompson-Okanagan will get a tiny taste of what their future as Olympic stars could be like thanks to the BC Summer Games.
Occurring every two years, the 2016 Summer Games brings together athletes from all over the province to one region for an opportunity to be the best in B.C. Being one step above typical tournaments, athletes get to compete in three days of multi-sport competition. With 40 different sports in the Summer Games and hundreds of athletes, the provincial event brings a high level of competition for developing athletes ages 13-18.
Representing the Thompson-Okanagan Zone 2 region, July 21-24 in Abbotsford are more than 90 local athletes and coaches from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Oyama, Peachland and Lake Country.
What the Games Are All About
Participants averaging 14-years-old have been training to compete in their first multi-sport competition. Teams are made up according to geographical zones and our local athletes will be representing the Thompson-Okanagan region.
The calibre of the athletes who have attended the BC Summer and Winter games is impressive, to say the least. Past games have featured young athletes who have gone on to become professional and Olympic athletes, including Chicago White Sox third basemen Brett Lawrie, two-time soccer Olympian Karina LeBlanc, Olympic medalist and goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens Carey Price and Kelowna's own Ski Cross Olympic medalist Kelsey Serwa.
A “Once in a Lifetime Experience”
The BC Summer Games are a starting point for young athletes to develop and get exposed to the challenges of a multi-sport competition. The games provide the opportunity for young athletes to engage in a high-level of competition, an opportunity that Kasandra Palmer, Zone 2 volleyball coach, said is “a once in a lifetime experience.”
An athlete herself, Palmer attended the Games representing zone 2, continued to play volleyball at Immaculata High School and earned the opportunity to compete at the NCAA level. Coming back to her roots, she is excited for her players to have this opportunity to come together with other female athletes from around the Valley and build relationships with one another.
“It is also a chance for them to compete at a high level. And to experience an event of this magnitude at their age is invaluable”.
What the Coaches Have to Say
While the Games are essentially about competition, life lessons and development are also considered achievements for the Games.
Devin Rubadeau, coach of the Zone 2 sailing team and a veteran of 14 BC Summer Games, is looking forward to having the athletes feel they did their best.
"Our number one objective is to have fun and to bond as a team," said Rubadeau.
The games are also an opportunity for the coaches to stay involved in community sport at a high level. Palmer’s career was cut by injuries, but coaching affords her a new opportunity to share her knowledge with young female athletes.
"Going to the BC Summer Games as a coach means a lot," says Palmer. "It's an opportunity to be involved with a sport I love, but in the capacity of a mentor and role model for young impressionable athletes.”
With coaching staff as highly qualified as Rubadeau and Palmer, athletes have mentors and idols who will teach them to grow, learn and to show passion for their sport. The BC Summer Games helps athletes see the stepping stones to further their athletic experiences.
Our Future Athletic Stars
Mentors and coaches like Palmer and Rubadeau exemplify how the games produce the future in sports, whether it's as an athlete, leader, coach or supporter.
Each athlete can be proud to represent their cities and towns as they have all worked hard to make it to the BC Summer Games. The Games teach a sense of community and teach athletes to work with teammates, coaches, and supporters in their area.
“It is not so much what my hopes are for the games, but rather my hopes for the whole program. Before any season starts I always say the same thing,” said Palmer, “I hope that in the time training with me the athletes will become better volleyball players. More importantly, I hope they become better people as that is what will take them far in life.”
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