Badminton--A Family Affair
Photo (l – r) Chris, Brian, Curtis and Rita Sowden
The Sowden family from Port Alberni has a long history of participation in the BC Winter Games. Rita’s father competed in 1995 in speed skating at the Master’s level before the Seniors Games became a separate event. Many of Rita’s extended family have either participated, volunteered or officiated in several previous Winter Games as well.
This ignited interest in sons Christopher, now 20, and Curtis, now 18, who became involved in Badminton and won medals in the 2002 and 2004 Winter Games respectively. They have now moved into coaching and officiating while Rita and husband Brian act as umpires. “The whole family is involved,” she said.
Both boys compete at the college level in Badminton at Malaspina University College and had to reschedule writing their mid-term exams in order to take part in the Kimberley/Cranbrook Winter Games this weekend. Because they are Métis, Chris and Curtis will also be competing in the North American Indigenous Games in the Cowichan Valley this summer as coach and athlete.
Rita said, “We continue taking part because we love the sport and the spirit of these Games. It ignites some kind of fire inside you.”
The Sowden family from Port Alberni has a long history of participation in the BC Winter Games. Rita’s father competed in 1995 in speed skating at the Master’s level before the Seniors Games became a separate event. Many of Rita’s extended family have either participated, volunteered or officiated in several previous Winter Games as well.
This ignited interest in sons Christopher, now 20, and Curtis, now 18, who became involved in Badminton and won medals in the 2002 and 2004 Winter Games respectively. They have now moved into coaching and officiating while Rita and husband Brian act as umpires. “The whole family is involved,” she said.
Both boys compete at the college level in Badminton at Malaspina University College and had to reschedule writing their mid-term exams in order to take part in the Kimberley/Cranbrook Winter Games this weekend. Because they are Métis, Chris and Curtis will also be competing in the North American Indigenous Games in the Cowichan Valley this summer as coach and athlete.
Rita said, “We continue taking part because we love the sport and the spirit of these Games. It ignites some kind of fire inside you.”
Story: Betty Roper--BC Winter Games News Service Photo: Darin Brooks.
posted by Kootenay Business @ 11:52 AM
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