St. Albert Pickleball Club Celebrates Olympics: In a poignant conclusion to the pickleball season, the St. Albert Pickleball Club recently held its second annual Special Olympics celebration. This event was not just a celebration but a testament to the dedication of the community and the joy of the athletes.
Over the past eight weeks, the St. Albert Pickleball Club has opened up six of its courts to Special Olympics athletes, creating a vibrant environment for learning and competition. With 30 athletes registered, the emphasis was on personalized coaching. To achieve this, the number of volunteer coaches was increased from 18 to 25. St. Albert Pickleball Club President Eileen McClean praised the overwhelming support from the community.
“We had to cap the number of coaches this year because we had so many come back from last year, or want to volunteer. It was amazing.” – (McClean)
Medals and Recognition
At the celebration, every athlete received a medal, symbolizing their hard work and dedication throughout the season. This gesture was made possible by a $740 grant from the Rotary Club of St. Albert, which also participated in the event by handing out the medals.
“We are thankful to the Rotary Club for helping us put on this celebration of the Special Olympics.” – (McClean)
Commitment Beyond the Court
The St. Albert Pickleball Club, with its membership of 1,018, showed remarkable commitment by dedicating six of its ten courts to the Special Olympics during the summer months. McClean emphasized the profound impact of coaching these athletes, stating,
“Coaching Special Olympics is one of the most rewarding opportunities to take part in. The athletes are always reaffirming and encouraging each other.”
News in Brief: St. Albert Pickleball Club Celebrates Olympics
The St. Albert Pickleball Club recently celebrated the end of the pickleball season with its second annual Special Olympics event. Over eight weeks, six courts were dedicated to 30 athletes, supported by an increased roster of 25 volunteer coaches. At the celebration, athletes were awarded medals, funded by a $740 grant from the Rotary Club of St. Albert, who also participated in the medal presentation.
Club President Eileen McClean praised the exceptional volunteer support and emphasized the rewarding experience of coaching Special Olympics athletes. Despite the sacrifice of six of their ten courts, the club’s commitment to the Special Olympics highlighted their dedication to community engagement and support.
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