Derek Woodbury

The Special Olympics program in Annapolis County is very blessed to have such a dedicated coach, Derek Woodbury.He began coaching more than 16 years ago and continues to volunteer in this capacity.

Derek has coached masters, curling and bocci over these years. The masters was a former program in Nova Scotia that included horseshoes, 400m walk and bocci. These participants were unable to travel very far and stayed within our province to compete. The masters competitions were held in Halifax. However, bocci became a national competition about three years ago.

Derek has taken Special Olympians to PEI to participate in curling and has also attended summer and winter games as a leader and coach. He acted as Chef de Mission twice and was responsible for the weekend. Each region has one person responsible.

In order for the participants to travel to various provinces for winter and summer games, fundraising is needed as part of leadership or coaching plans. Derek has helped to organize and oversee car washes, ticket sales, hot dog sales, the packing of groceries at various stores and a dance-a-thon. In the past three years, Derek has helped with golf tournaments too.

Not only volunteering and coaching sporting activities, Derek has organized many social events for the Special Olympians such as bowling, parties, parades and theme park days. Derek has served on the board of directors as vice co-ordinator for five years and area co-ordinator for two years.

When asking another member of the organization to make any comment she could think of about Derek’s participation in the coaching activities, she stated, “Derek has such a great personality and is so outgoing with the participants. They love him.” Participants have stated that he is so friendly and that Derek has helped us do well in competitions. One of the parents stated that the athletes show great respect for Derek and other coaches rely on his knowledge and experience. Parents are so grateful for Derek as a coach as he has been a constant throughout the program.

Derek, himself, said this about his coaching experiences with Special Olympians. “They are a great group to be with. They cheer me up.” Not only do the athletes benefit greatly from the Special Olympics program, but the coaches themselves feel a sense of satisfaction and joy in being with the participants.

Thank you, Derek, for volunteering so much of your time. Derek Woodbury 2015 Inductee – Coach