Motionball Marathon of Sport makes call for volunteers

The big motionball Marathon of Sport takes place at City Park on Saturday, September 23rd and is need of volunteers for set-up, take-down and sport volunteers and would love to hear from you.

Registration is also coming to a close for motionball Marathon of Sport, presented by Interior Savings, so you will need to act fast if you want to participate. To register visit motionball.com/kelowna or email Donnie at donnie@motionball.com.

motionball brings young professionals and Special Olympics athletes together for a day of fun and activity to raise money for Special Olympics BC and Special Olympics Canada Foundation.

The event has gained a steady following of participants over the past six years in Kelowna, and for local Special Olympic athlete, Kyle, motionball is a day he is looking forward to.

“Last year was my first time coming out, and I was pretty nervous,” explains Kyle. “But I realized that being with this group of people that were so supportive; it was probably one of the best days I could ever experience. It just didn’t matter whether you were winning, whether you were losing, whether it was nice outside or if we had rain as well, it just seemed like everyone was just so happy.”

This event is a fun, social and non-competitive day of sport with each team playing alongside inspiring Special Olympic athletes. Participants and volunteers benefit from perks such as free Under Armour t-shirts, a Pita Pit lunch and snacks from Sun-Rupe, a beverage garden, prizes and more.

Aside from being fun, motionball stands for a lot more. When Kyle was younger, before he got into Special Olympics, he says he didn’t want to be involved in anything and didn’t think he was good enough or talented enough. He didn’t let that hold him back, and Special Olympics was the vehicle to help him reach his potential.

“I have Asperger Syndrome,” says Kyle. “I’m a pretty high functioning autistic. It wasn’t until I was 30 until I was diagnosed. Without Special Olympics I don’t think I would be where I am today.”

Kyle won a gold medal for golf at nationals in Vancouver in 2013 and his team was the first team ever from Canada to go to world games in Los Angelas in 2015 where he won a bronze medal. He also does soft ball which brought him to Athens Greece in 2011.

Two per cent of Canadians have an intellectual disability yet only 10 per cent of this population are currently engaged in Special Olympics programs. Special Olympics BC and Special Olympics Canada Foundation want to expand this number to impact the lives of more individuals locally and across the country. Being a part of Special Olympics not only gives individuals a sense of belonging and fulfillment; it provides participants with social skills, confidence and self-esteem that will stick with them for life.