Caleb Phillips
Local Community
Burnaby
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
I got involved with Special Olympics in 2022 when I was 12 years old. I got involved with Special Olympics because a friend from Challenger Baseball told me to come play Special Olympic sports too.
Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, what other National Games did you compete in, and in what sports?
Yes, this will be my first Special Olympics Canada Games.
What were your results in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games? How did you feel about your performance?
Our results in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games were that we were undefeated and we got a gold medal in soccer. I felt amazing about my performance, having played for my first time at Provincials, and especially after my concussion.
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
Being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 means kindness, leadership, not giving up, having fun, respecting other teams, and making new memories and friends.
What is your goal for these National Games?
My goal for these National Games is to have fun and try to get a medal. But if we don’t, we will have tried our hardest, and that’s all that matters. It means more meeting other people and having fun.
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
My favourite Special Olympics experience to date was winning all the medals in track and field at the BC Summer Games in 2022, and all of the new friends I made when I went to that.
What do you like most about the sport you will compete in at National Games?
The thing I like the most about competing in soccer at the National Games is getting to compete with my teammates who all have done a lot over the years, worked hard to get there, and still had fun doing it.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
To encourage someone to get involved, I would say that you make good friends, you get to meet people from all over, play lots of sports if that is what you like to do, and everyone is respected and included equally.
Please tell us a little bit more about yourself! What else would you like people to know about you?
I like doing all the sports that I can with Special Olympics. Right now, while still also doing Challenger Baseball, I do 8-9 sports throughout the year. I like to work hard and push myself to the limits, but still have fun with my teammates and friends. I respect everyone from other teams, especially if they get hurt – I will put down a knee and wait for them to get up. I enjoy listening to music and watching the BC Lions games every season. I get silly sometimes and like to have a good time. I am the youngest on my soccer team. For the National Games, I will be 16 years old, but people always think I am older. I think that is funny sometimes.