
Induction 2019 - Team
Back Row: L to R Sheana McDermott, Gary
Ford, Calvin Webster, Cameron McNainy, Ken Ford, Keith Russell, Tim Miller,
Richard Arcand, Blain Fuller, Theresa Fuller
Front Row: L to R Jackie Phahl,
Joey Schwaier, Trevor Ford, Chester Stone, Darcy Smith,
Andrew Garvey, Charlene
McDermott, Anna Turnquist, Nathan Gibson
What Began
As Fun Turns for Two Wetaskiwin Teams
Turns into Representation at National Championship
The Wetaskiwin
Warlords were a Special Olympics team that was organized for
a couple of years in order to play ball in the St. Paul
Alberta’s Special Olympics Annual Tournament. Teams from
all over the province and even other provinces competed at
this tournament. After the first year of participating in
St Paul and realizing how much fun it was, two teams from
Wetaskiwin attended the tournament the second year, an “A”
team and a “B” team. It was in the second year that the “A”
team garnered success with some rather accomplished
athletes. The “A” team won the tournament and both teams
had a great, fun-filled experience. A couple of weeks after
the tournament Special Olympics Alberta informed the
Warlords that because of their win they were chosen to be
Team Alberta at a national tournament in Surrey, BC.
The Fun of Serious Preparation and Coming Together as Alberta Reps
Then the fun
began! The coach, team manager, President of Wetaskiwin
Special Olympics Organization, team members and all those
connected with the team had no idea what they were getting
into and didn’t really find out the scope of the competition
until they arrived in Surrey. However, it was time to “get
ready” to represent Alberta at the tournament. First of
all, the team had to have “real” uniforms. T-shirts wouldn’t
cut it. Special Olympics Alberta helped by covering the
cost of the uniforms as well as transportation and
registration fees. The coach at Instant Replay in
Wetaskiwin helped out with choosing and ordering the
uniforms and the team looked sharp in their new teal and
grey uniforms. Secondly, the team had to prepare for the
competition. Practices were held twice a week and players
were brought up from the “B” team to bolster the roster.
Warlords Face Fears - Make History
Eventually, it
was time to travel to the competition. The trip was really
exciting for everyone and for many of the team members, it
was their first airplane trip. The team was housed at
Trinity University in Langley BC with other teams from
across Canada. Once in Surrey the scope of the competition
became apparent. It turned out the Special Olympics event
in Surrey was being held in conjunction with the Women’s
Canada Cup Ladies International Softball Championship.
National ladies softball teams from all over the world were
competing against one another to prepare for Olympic
Qualifying. The Special Olympics Friendship Division that
the Wetaskiwin Warriors were competing in was the Special
Olympics competition to choose Team Canada. Wow, it was
more important than anticipated! Opening ceremonies were
held before the start of the tournament . However, sadly half
of the Warlords team missed the ceremonies as the bus driver
forgot them.
The Wetaskiwin
Warlords represented Alberta admirably and the event was a
once in a lifetime experience for all. To compete and
celebrate along with such gifted world class athletes was
beyond awesome for everyone concerned. New friendships were
made, fears were faced and individual confidence grew. It
was a life-changing event for some of those involved and
many wonderful memories were made. This was one of the first times that Alberta’s
Special Olympics athletes participated in an
“inclusive” competition.
A First on Many Levels - Leads to Unbeatable Experience Representing Alberta
The next year
half of the team moved either to get married, go to school
or life took them in another direction. Special Olympics in
Wetaskiwin had ball teams for a couple of years after 1998
but there has never been another Wetaskiwin team able to
reach the heights of the 1998 Warlords. Congratulations to
all of the 1998 team members, coaches and the manager for
their well deserved induction into the Wetaskiwin and County
Sports Hall of Fame. You are a credit to our community!
Members of the 1998 Warlords
Players
Coaches, Managers
Head Coach: Blain Fuller
Asst Coach: Gary Ford
Asst Coach: Theresa Fuller
Manager: Sheana McDermott
Members of the Team
Team Members in Action