Tina Giesbrecht
Local / Community
Burns Lake
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
I got involved 13 years ago when I changed teaching positions and was asked to take over the Special Olympics snowshoeing program. I have not looked back 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)?
No, I have had the pleasure of going as bocce mission staff for the Antigonish Summer Games, snowshoe coach for the Corner Brook 2016 Winter Games, snowshoe mission staff for Thunder Bay 2020, and snowshoe mission staff for Calgary 2024.
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
It means being part of a complete puzzle, working together to put all of the pieces together to create a phenomenal completed puzzle of a successful game for our athletes.
What does competing at National Games mean to your athletes? (Or, if this is your first National Games, competition in general)
For our athletes, competing at the National Games gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills to a larger audience. They will be able to feel that joy of being on the National stage.
What developments are you excited to see in your Team BC sport team leading up to National Games?
Watching our athletes shine and earn personal bests.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
Just get involved! You will never regret it! The joy it brings you far outweighs what you give.
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