Athletes from Estevan, Weyburn and Melville took over the lanes at Estevan Bowl on Saturday for the annual Special Olympics Estevan bowling tournament.
Britta Andrist, a local contact for Special Olympics, said anybody with a physical or mental disability no matter what age can join the Special Olympics team. She said the local chapter of the organization is trying to refocus its exposure to the public in an effort to attract more families into its social-building programs.
“This year our bowling starts in the fall again and we’re looking for new people to recruit,” said Andrist, noting interested families can contact the organization through their Special Olympics Saskatchewan website. “We’re going to do bocce ball in the summer (as well as) swimming and we’ve got curling starting in the fall.”
Andrist said a highlight of the bowling tournament on Saturday was the athletes being able to sport new Special Olympics Estevan T-shirts that were provided to the group by sponsor Big D Lease Service. The day out also gave the group an opportunity to socialize during the bowling games and during the supper at St. Giles Anglican Church, which was catered by Estevan Bowl. She said it is this support from community members, organizations and businesses that allow events such as these to happen.
“A lot of people forget about them when it comes to activities in the community, (but) they’re still a part of us,” said Andrist. “The whole point is about socializing, have fun and meet some new people. It’s a peer group where a lot of families (or) parents are able to talk.”
Andrist added many young families don’t know where to go or how to get their special-needs child involved. She said contacting Special Olympics Saskatchewan is just the start they’re looking for.
