Kings Special Olympics honours its best

BY JOHN DECOSTE

jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Kings County Special Olympics took time recently to honour its own with a first-ever appreciation night and awards banquet April 12 in Kentville.

The event was held at St. Joseph’s Parish Centre in Kentville and was sponsored by the Kentville chapter of the Knights of Columbus, who have entered into a sponsorship agreement with the local Special Olympics.

The evening was well-attended. In fact, Kings County Special Olympics coordinator Bernie Thompson remarked to those in attendance, “you don’t realize just how many Special Olympic athletes we have here in Kings County until you see them all together.”

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards for the top athletes, coaches and volunteer of the year.

Stephen Swinimer was the choice for Male Athlete of the Year and Erica Roy was recognized as Female Athlete of the Year.

The Kings 1 curling team of John Robicheau, Bruce Lightle, David Coffey and Billy McKay took the award for Team of the Year.

Doug Williams was chosen Male Coach of the Year for his work organizing the Special Olympic Youth Aquatic Program, which has been officially sanctioned by the Red Cross.

Jill Thurston was named Female Coach of the Year. An athletics and soccer coach for several years, she more recently started the Kings Special Olympics curling program.

Shanna Thompson was the choice for Volunteer of the Year, an award she received also at the provincial level from Special Olympics Nova Scotia.

Special gifts of appreciation were presented to athlete Philip Brown and long-time coach Allan Fredericks. Brown was recognized for his accomplishment of earning four medals in speedskating at the national Special Olympic Winter Games earlier this year.

In close to 20 years as a Special Olympian, Brown has won more than 70 medals and trophies in Special Olympic competition, many of them at the national level.

Fredericks was recognized for 20 years of volunteer contribution to Special Olympics locally, largely as a coach. His Kings-West Hants soccer teams have won numerous provincial titles and at least two national gold medals.

Acadia hockey Axemen team captain Paul McFarland was a special guest for the evening, briefly addressing the athletes and taking part in the presentation of awards.