Secondary Schools - School District #35

BRAD HIGGS
SOCCER SCHOOLS
Serving British Columbia Since 1977
SOCCER CAMPS:
Days: Mon-Fri
Age: Boys & Girls 4-14 years old
Cost: $100
LANGLEY
• July 11-15 McLeod Turf (9:00-11:30)
• Aug 29-Sept 1 (M-Wed 9:00-12:30,
Thurs 9:00 - 11:00)
SURREY
• July 18-22 (9:00 - 11:30)
Newton Athletic Park
• Aug 22-26 (9:00 - 11:30)
Cloverdale Athletic Park
• Aug 29-Sept 2 (9:00 - 11:30)
Bear Creek Park
WHITE ROCK
• July 4-8, July 25-29 and Aug 22-26
Centennial Park 9:00 - 11:30
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TO REGISTER:
online: www.bradhiggs.com
or phone: 604-939-1114
by mail: mail cheque to Brad Higgs
116 Maple Dr. Port Moody BC, V3H 0A7
5711 Production Wy
PO Box 3519
Langley, BC
V3A 4R9
epileptic. Fellow Special Olympians might have autism,
or Downs Syndrome, or another learning disability.
Williams thinks Special Olympians deserve the same
recognition as others, and that begins by recognizing
them as a group. “The Special Olympics and Paralympics
do get mixed up,” he said, “People think because Special
Olympians have disabilities, they’re in the same group.
That’s a big problem, trying to explain the difference.”
His own athletic journey got a boost in Grade 8 when
Walnut Grove Secondary teacher Ms. Kidd introduced
him to the sport of floor hockey. Williams had participated
in organized sports before, but the supportive atmosphere
of floor hockey appealed.
A balance of camaraderie and
competition is what Williams
finds in the Special Olympics
“I felt accepted finally. I didn’t feel bad about making a
mistake because I said, ‘Oh well, I’ll get it the next time.’”
That one thoughtful suggestion from a teacher made a
huge difference in Williams’ life. “I think it’s important to
have that encouragement,” he said. Without it, he might
not have continued in sports because he was finding the
increasingly competitive atmosphere uncomfortable.
“It was stressful because kids get more competitive, kids
get more serious, you almost have to be a perfect athlete,
being able to get things right the first time.”
A balance of camaraderie and competition is what
Williams finds in the Special Olympics, and that’s what
he wants to share with others. “I find a lot of people don’t
know about the Special Olympics,” he said. “They don’t
know how big of a life-changing experience it is, so for
me to be able to be a voice for Special Olympics athletes
and share my own experiences, it’s a great feeling.”
He added that all athletes could learn from the
combination of supportiveness and competition that
marks the Special Olympics. Everyone’s there to win,
and do his or her best to cross the line first, but win or
lose they all get to share in the victory celebration. Said
Williams, “Honestly, some of my favorite times have been
watching others win, the looks on their faces.”
Spoken like a true Special Olympian, and a passionate
Messenger for the games. v
14 Student Success