For close to 35 years, Abbotsford’s Edna Clifford has been a pioneer with her local branch of Special Olympics British Columbia (SOBC).
She was one of the original founding members of the Abbotsford branch, and as a parent who saw a need to bring Special Olympics to Abbotsford, she has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport.
Clifford was recognized for her years of hard work with the 2018 SOBC Grassroots Coaching Award, which she was awarded on Saturday.
She began volunteering as the head coach of the local track and field team when the Abbotsford branch was first established and is renowned for her decade-long tenure as the head coach of the SOBC-Abbotsford basketball team.
Clifford was also instrumental in establishing the SOBC-Abbotsford swim team more than 30 years ago. She continues her involvement in basketball as a co-coach. In addition, Clifford has been involved in the Club Fit program, has served as a speech coach at the annual Athlete Leadership Conference, and has served as a member of the local committee.
She said winning came as a total surprise and considers it one of the best nights of her life.
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled at being given the Grassroots Coach award,” Clifford said. “Volunteering is in itself a great reward, and the athletes, coaches, and volunteers that make up the Special Olympics organization in Abbotsford are some of the best people I know. These people have enriched my life and given me far more than I can ever give back to them.”
While the honour may have come as a shock to her, it didn’t to those who know her.
“Edna has been an amazing part of the Special Olympics basketball program for as long as I have known her,” SOBC volunteer and Abbotsford Police Department Constable Leah Garrigus said.
Garrigus said while Clifford is serving as either head coach, assistant coach, or mentor, it’s her dedication to her athletes and her love of the games that always shines through.
“While she wore those hats, she was always the head cheerleader. I don’t know who has more fun at basketball, Edna or the players,” she added.
Clifford’s ties to volunteering as a coach are reinforced by her commitment to her son James, both an SOBC athlete, and recently, an SOBC reporter.
“Edna is an inspiring and inclusive coach, finding ways to ensure all athletes in her local can participate in sport,” her nominators wrote. “This has included support for athletes who need extra care at Games, and adding the little extras, the nice touches to social events for athletes who count on Special Olympics as their social circle.”
Her strong family bonds are shared by her daughter Estee Clifford, an Abbotsford Police Constable and volunteer. She said her mother has served as her inspiration and role model.
“From a very early age she instilled in me the value of treating everyone as equals,” Estee wrote as part of the nomination. “My mom lived this through not only raising my brother who has excelled in all areas of his life but also through all her coaching at Special Olympics.”
For more information on SOBC, visit specialolympics.bc.ca.