Two Truro basketball players headed to Special Olympics World Games
TRURO - On Friday night, the lights of Harmony Heights Elementary remained aglow as athletes with Special Olympics Cobequid’s basketball team fine-tuned their skills in the gymnasium.
For two of these athletes, the practice is all the more important, as they’ll be playing with Team Canada at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.
Tatyanna Turner-gerrior and Robbie Westlake both play with the Special Olympics basketball team in Truro, coached by father-daughter duo Dave and Holly Macneil.
“It’s really special,” said Dave. “It is a small team in a small community, and they have both Team Nova Scotia kids in Truro make Team Canada. It’s really quite an accomplishment.”
Both athletes learned of their recruitment to Team Canada via email in September. Since then, they’ve been putting in practice with their Cobequid team, as well as doing weekly Zoom meetings with Team Canada’s players and coaches.
‘It’s a super exciting opportunity,” added Holly. “They’ve been working hard all year long.”
THE PLAYERS
Turner-gerrior plays fast. Both her aunt and Holly said she’s “small, but mighty,” an accurate description for a player that can swiftly dribble
through the opposition to get a lay-up.
When asked what her greatest strength is, Turner-gerrior turned to her speed.
“I think it would be how
fast I can move the ball up the court,” said Turner-gerrior. “Most people (don’t) see me; I’m only four-foot-11 and don’t expect me to be as quick as I am.”
Turner-gerrior has played basketball throughout most of her life, but her passion was really sparked after she made her eighth-grade basketball team.
“I was and still am a Bible Hill Jr. Huskie,” she commented.
For Westlake, his love of the sport began when he started playing in recreational leagues.
He joined Special Olympics Cobequid a year and a half ago.
To Westlake, his greatest strength as an athlete is empowering those around him.
“It’s probably teamwork,” said Westlake. “Trying to empower the other teammates. We can’t really win alone.”
His performance on the court showed that teamwork isn’t his only skill, as he put up lay-up after lay-up and scored several successful baskets.
When Dave was asked about Turner-gerrior and Westlake’s strengths, he praised their love of the game.
“I think their competition level. They’re both really into basketball. They enjoy the sport, and when they come to practice, they always have a smile on their face and they’re willing to work really hard.
“They do everything we ask of them in practice, they’re quick learners, and they really love basketball. It’s great to see them reap the rewards.”
Turner-gerrior and Westlake both voiced their excitement to travel to Berlin.
"I've always dreamed of traveling, and I love basketball," said Turner-gerrior. "Now I get to do both."
"I'm super excited for it," exclaimed Westlake. "I was super ecstatic when I found out the news that I'll be part of Team Canada."
The Special Olympics World Games in Berlin will run from June 17 to 25, featuring 7,000 athletes from around 170 countries. To learn more about the games, visit their website at specialolympics. org. To learn more about Special Olympics Cobequid, visit speolycobequid.com.
“I’ve always dreamed of traveling, and I love basketball. Now I get to do both.” Tatyanna Turner-gerrior