There’s something special about one of the teams in the Quesnel Mixed Adult Soccer League.
Some of the players on this team are also members of the Special Olympics football club that represents the city in other B.C. towns. Two years ago, some of those involved with that team acted on an idea that had been percolating to play in Quesnel’s main adult league. It wouldn’t be affiliated with Special Olympics, but for those who wanted more competition, it would be a new opportunity to play with and against those who do not have the intellectual criteria for the Special Olympics sports.
“I was not feeling challenged enough in the Special Olympics, so I decided to think maybe, if I go into the Adult Mixed League it would give me more opportunities to strengthen my skills,” said Jerman Severied, but he didn’t think he would be the only one who might benefit from such a bold step.
“At first I was thinking about just me and Tania (Poitras, a past coach for the Special Olympics team and parent of a player) going in on our own, but then I kinda came up with the idea that some of the other athletes in Special Olympics soccer would want to go into it as well, so we went around and asked and some of them said yeah, sure.”
Poitras saw the sporting advantages of this plan, but also the social advantages for all involved.
“None of my players (in the initial conversation) played in youth or adult soccer, just in Special Olympics,” Poitras said. “I wanted to see how this would go, and second season, our team is now passing, playing position, going to the ball, talking a bit more - none of them talk on-field, so I have had to do it and encourage them with verbal prompts. It is very hard for them, as a lot of the players have delayed thought and verbal response. Now it’s starting to happen.”
It wasn’t just them who had some learning to do. Some opposition teams were immediately receptive to the unusual athletic circumstances of these new challengers, but Poitras frankly recalls how some teams were less than sportsmanlike in their behaviour, at times. That has improved.
Part of the acceptance atmosphere came from the on-field officials. Poitras said referees like Amrita Sekhon, Mike Harlos, and Mike Page played a big role in smoothing the way for these games. Additionally, Sekhon is a player on one of the league’s top teams, The Gremlins, and that squad has been particularly welcoming, friendly, and even part of the coaching process at times while the game is underway.
Page is the administrator of the league, so he, too, has been a staunch ally in making the new players’ experience a positive one.
“We were pumped to have them in our league and I think it was a positive experience all the way around, for everyone involved,” said Page, adding it was an idea brought to the other teams in the league in advance of the first season with the new players. “I thought it was a great opportunity to collaborate. I thought it was great for that crew. I thought it was nice for them if it was all inclusive, and for them to get some extra practice for when they’re competing. I thought it was a great idea.”
“We did win them over,” said Severied, who plays goalie and midfield, depending on the circumstances. “They are more relaxed about us. They are all accepting and friendly, we just had to help them along a little bit to have them play at our pace, and they do help us a lot.”
“This year, the team’s confidence, not just in playing as a team, but meeting new people and mingling, has been amazing to be a part of,” said Poitras. They even put some points on the board, with a tie in one game and their first-ever win in a 10-9 barn-burner in August.
The original hope is also coming true - that being, skills development for players who can in turn perhaps play Special Olympics soccer, or any form of soccer, better than before. Not all the players who play for the Special Olympics team can commit to the whole Adult Mixed League season, and some don’t have the inclination or personal circumstances to allow for it. The Quesnel Special Olympics organization does offer skills development training sessions different and apart from the Adult Mixed League. For those who do attend these league games, their fitness, understanding of the rules, grasp of game-play, and fundamental skills are all improving through game-play, said those involved.
“Most of the athletes we did bring in do feel more confident in their skills,” Severied said. He also thanks the non-Special Olympics players who joined their team to help mentor during play-action. It is a truly mixed team.
In the Quesnel league, the team has been known as the Furry Fury or just The Fury, although the name may be changing. The opportunity to play in a Special Olympics uniform is rare, so for those who choose this option, it is a regular chance to get into games in addition to the practices the Special Olympics local program offers, separate from this unconnected team.
So far, Poitras and Severied have personally split the $650 cost to pay for the team’s entry fee into the Mixed Adult League, but sponsorship is now being sought. Kevin Sangha of Begbie’s Pub has been a big supporter so far, including donating some popular jerseys from a beloved bygone pub team, so the squad now looks proud on the pitch.
Since the Quesnel Mixed Adult League has two annual seasons - one in spring-summer outside and one in fall-winter indoors - Severied and Poitras are even looking at expanding the team’s schedule.
“We have sign-up forms for the indoor soccer, we are thinking of doing that as well,” said Severied. “We are also looking for regular people. Anybody can join us. We’re trying to diversify the group, with people from Special O and people from outside Special O, to actually learn and grow as a community, and have fun on the field.”
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