Special athletes mark the end of their first season

FALLBROOK – Special Olympics Fallbrook celebrated the end of its first season on June 4. Special Olympics is represented for the first time in Fallbrook and opened with an adult basketball team that included 13 athletes. To celebrate the end of the season, the athletes played as one team against an opposing team which was made up of the athletes’ families, friends and staff from Care-Rite. There were 60 people attending the game, including several community leaders, friends from REINS and families from Jeremiah’s Ranch, to cheer on the athletes.

After a rousing game, the athletes received medals and team photos were handed out to the coaches. A potluck picnic followed where the athletes, their friends and families could make new friendships and enjoy being together in a new environment, and in some cases, meeting for the first time. Excitement for this day was so special many family members took time off work to participate.

The athletes did not want the basketball season to end, but are looking forward to soccer season which starts Aug. 14 at Ingold Field. The team includes high-school aged and above. Anyone interested in participating can contact Linda White at (760) 731-7628 for registration information. Paperwork must be completed and returned before athletes are allowed to participate.

Special Olympics would also like to start a children’s team, aged 6 through middle school. Parents can call Michelle Wood at (760) 728-7750 if their son or daughter wants to participate on the children’s team.

Team coordinator White said, “We give special thanks to Christ the King Lutheran Church for providing the facilities for the Special Olympics athletes. We look forward to many more seasons to come.”