North Bay Pickleball Club Welcomes Special Olympians.
This spring/summer, Pickleball was introduced to Special Olympic athletes in North Bay. Local pickleball players, Michelle Cundair, Alexis Gysel and Luis Cateleo came together as coaches to start a local program.
The program ran weekly until the culminating tournament that took place on September 18. A request to the athletes went out and several said they were interested in trying out a new sport even though it is not a recognized sport for Special Olympics. The athletes enthusiastically showed it was a sport they could be confident in playing. Many practices were spent working on the fundamentals of pickleball. Athletes improved their coordination, speed and accuracy. Sportsmanship was also established and embellished by all involved.
As the summer went on, the athletes played against and with other members of the North Bay Pickleball Club. To end the year a tournament was held with the Club where 10 athletes and their NBPC member partners competed in a round robin tournament. There were three divisions based on ability. Everyone went home with a medal! Members of the NBPC and Special Olympians pictured below had an exceptionally good time and are looking forward to doing this again.
A big shout out to NBPC Members, Michelle Cundari, Alexis Gysel and Luis Cateleo for taking on this opportunity.