David Forrester

Local / Community 

Nanaimo

When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics? 

I first experienced Special Olympics as part of a university class project where we were asked to volunteer with a local organization. That would have been in the early 2000s. 

Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, what other National Games were you part of and in what role(s)? 

I'm very fortunate as this will be my third Special Olympics Canada Games. Previously, I was a floor hockey head coach at the 2012 Winter Games in St. Albert, AB and Head Coach for Team BC Golf at the 2018 Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. 

What is/are your goal(s) for National Games? 

This will be my first time as part of the mission staff for the National Games and my goal is to ensure Team BC Basketball teams have a wonderful time experiencing everything at the Games. There's very few experiences like the Games, and I will do my best to give them all that they need to be successful in their sport while also taking advantage of everything else that goes along with it. I will encourage them to embrace the athlete's village, healthy athletes, and getting to meet new friends.  

What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? 

There's so many over the years but my favourite Special Olympics experience to date was my first National Games in 2012. It was my first time representing Team BC and everything was so new and big and busy and we had a great week as a team. So many wonderful athletes and coaches at those games.

What does competing at National Games mean to your athletes? (Or, if this is your first National Games, competition in general) 

I think it's special to represent more than your local and put on the Team BC uniform. That sense of community, spirit, and belonging as part of Team BC makes for a  wonderful experience. Specific to sport, the National Games gives the athletes a chance to compete against athletes from across the country, learn from new coaches, and expand their network of friends. 

What developments are you excited to see in your Team BC sport team leading up to National Games? 

I'm part of the mission staff for three Team BC basketball teams and I'm most looking forward to the three becoming one unified Team BC as we work towards games. 

What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?

I always say that I feel I get more from the athletes than they do from me as a coach. It's a wonderful experience and I encourage everyone to give it a try!