Sunny View celebrates Olympic spirit

Sunny View celebrates Olympic spirit. Salem El-Kheir is all smiles after scoring a goal with partner Anne Metcalfe at the Sunny View Public School 'Shoots for Gold' event Thursday. Staff photo/DAN PEARCE

Gearing up for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Vancouver, students gathered in the auditorium to enjoy a sledge hockey demonstration and a game of wheelchair hockey between the school's team and some of its teachers.

With 130 youngsters at the school identified with physical disabilities or special health or educational needs, the chance to take in a little sport was both a break from and the perfect complement to classroom time.

"With our kids, they require total immersion in a learning experience, and (athletics) can be highly motivating and engaging for kids," said Principal Marita Adams. "Aside from the athletic skills they learn from participating in adapted sports, it works for character-building and helps teach teamwork and perseverance."

The school has a successful history in adapted sports, with Sunny View's wheelchair hockey team taking home first place in the Monarch Park Collegiate wheelchair hockey tournament five times since 1997.

Students watched the recent Vancouver Olympics and learned about the athletes as part of their schooling and will also watch the upcoming Paralympic Games.

"The Paralympics are so special for our kids," said Sunny View teacher Brie Rutter. "It's a great way for them to see amazing athletes reaching for their dreams and an exciting opportunity for them to see what they can do."

Through athletics, she said, students are able to develop the five key traits emphasized by the school: honesty, perseverance, teamwork, respect and responsibility.

Noted Canadian wheelchair athlete Shayne Smith attended the event and said adapted sports are integral for youngsters. Having been diagnosed with a circulatory disorder at four months old that necessitated the amputation of limbs, Smith credited participating in wheelchair basketball and sledge hockey with his own development.

"Without (sports) I don't know where I would be," he said. "Being on a team really helps you relate to other people."

The school's wheelchair hockey team was looking forward to vying for the crown in the upcoming Monarch Park Collegiate tournament. Players Shahram Shahzada and Kristen Simpson were both eager to take on other wheelchair hockey teams and had high hopes for the team's chances.

"We're going to do well because we're good at everything," Shahzada said.

Simpson said she enjoyed the challenge of playing, win or lose.

"I like learning new things, and it was fun learning how to use the chair (in a game) and how to stickhandle," she said.