Zachary Klein
Local / Community
North Shore
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
I was in a car accident when I was younger (2005) and damaged both of my knees. It removed me from my personal sports for two years. My mom did home sharing and the girls who lived with us participated in Special Olympics sports. I wanted to stay involved in sport and give back, as I was missing it desperately and was suffering from depression. I started as a volunteer with soccer and then started up the basketball program on the North Shore the following year. 21 years later I'm still involved and loving it just as much.
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 participated in the 2014 Nationals Games in Vancouver. At those games I was the head coach of the basketball team that qualified and advanced to World Games 2015 in LA.
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
Being part of Team BC 2026 is an honour and fills me with pride! It means representing our province, standing alongside an incredible team (not just basketball) and being part of something bigger than myself.
What is/are your goal(s) for National Games?
My team plans to compete at our highest level, push ourselves every moment, and represent our province with pride - on and off the court.
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
Getting to compete at the 2015 World Games in LA is my favourite Special Olympics experience to date. We were the FIRST Canadian basketball team to ever compete at Worlds!
What does competing at National Games mean to your athletes? (Or, if this is your first National Games, competition in general)
Competing at National Games is both a great honour to my athletes and an exciting opportunity to potentially advance to World Games. The team is very much looking forward to implement all the things we have been working on and to compete against new teams from across the country.
What developments are you excited to see in your Team BC sport team leading up to National Games?
In the lead up to National Games, I'm looking forward to seeing the team continue to grow in skill, chemistry, and trust in each other. Most of all, I can't wait to see the team strut their confidence, which is well earned from their hard work during this training period. I want to see them believe in themselves, play fearless, and fully own the work they've put in together.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
Don't think about it, do it! Getting involved means making a real difference - you'll see confidence build, friendships form, lives change, including your own! It's a welcoming community that brings people together and shows how powerful sport can be.