Josh Stewart
Local / Community
Vancouver
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
I signed up when I moved over from the Island in 2021, and have been coaching ever since.
Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, what other National Games were you part of and in what role(s)?
First National Games!
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
It means a lot to get to go with a great group of determined and dedicated athletes. It's a real privilege to get to join them and help them have the best Games experience they can.
What is/are your goal(s) for National Games?
Creating an experience and environment for the athletes to hit personal bests. And no injuries!
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
Just hanging at the bowling alley with the team every Thursday, getting to know the athletes on a personal level, listening to their stories, and sharing a ton of laughs.
What does competing at National Games mean to your athletes? (Or, if this is your first National Games, competition in general)
I can see in their work ethic and practice intensity that this means a lot to them. Most are not only doing it for themselves, but for other athletes, family, and friends who mean a lot to them and aren't able to go to Nationals for one reason or another.
What developments are you excited to see in your Team BC sport team leading up to National Games?
Watching the scores inch up as athletes lock in and really focus on their training. It's also great watching the team camaraderie build as athletes get to spend time together and build new friendships and healthy rivalries.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
I have never left a Special Olympics practice in a bad mood. It is usually the most fun three hours of my week, and I look forward to catching up with the team every Thursday night.