Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

COYOTES WIN!

Kamloops Special Olympics Coyotes thump RCMP team soundly — all for a good cause

Sep 15, 2022 | 4:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the athletes of the Kamloops Coyotes Special Olympics softball team, moments like this have been all too rare for the past couple of seasons.

“With COVID, we missed two whole years,” Kailey Jolliffe, Head Coach of Special O softball, explains. “We haven’t been able to go to our tournaments, so this is the first game we’ve played in three years.”

It’s an all too familiar story, for so many.

“Well, because COVID hit, we got back again,” Kristin White, Coyotes outfielder explains. “We had to make sure everybody had their COVID shots and everything before then. You can’t really play if you don’t have your COVID shot.”

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When it was announced the Coyotes would be taking on the Kamloops RCMP in a friendly game, it created some excitement — on both sides.

“I got stoked,” James Spinx, Coyotes pitcher says.

“I was excited about it,” White tells CFJC Today.

“To me, this is a great opportunity to be part of the community,” Cst. Colbie Franson, who plays second base for the RCMP says. “I love baseball. I’ve played since I was a little girl. I played competitively and I still play to this day.”

Michael Maveety, Fundraising Coordinator for Special Olympics Kamloops was one of the organizers of the event. While the event was a fundraiser for the organization, he also wanted to make it memorable for the players. Playing under the lights at Norbrock Stadium certainly helps.

“It’s amazing for them,” Maveety says. “Hearing their names being called over the microphone and playing against the police officers — it’s a thrill for them. They’re so excited.”

For the officers out on the diamond, it was also a chance to make personal connections with the Coyotes players and help build community,

“It really goes a long way when we’re in uniform and when we’re not in uniform,” Cst. Franson explains. “People will remember us, and if you ever have to speak with them in the future — whether off work or while at work — that relationship is already built.”

The timing was also important for Special Olympics Kamloops. They’re getting ready to run a full season of sports for the first time in a few years.

“Our fall sports are just starting up in the next couple of weeks,” Maveety says. “Last year, we had limited numbers, but we still had a few programs running to keep some sports going. But we’re back full-strength now, rebuilding the programs, looking for funding to get things up and running, get everyone active again.”