Jan23

Written by:
23/01/2013 10:26 

Hi , My name is Louise O'Toole and I'm a floorball coach with Team Ireland at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. I started volunteering with Special Olympics in 2002 during my transition year work placement in the Brothers of Charity Services in Waterford

While there I coached the ladies basketball team, four of whom competed at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin. Of course, I travelled to Dublin to support them and from the moment I entered the basketball arena in Tallaght, I knew I would be involved with Special Olympics for a long time. The atmosphere was electric! 

In 2006 I attended the  Special Olympics European Youth Games in Rome as head coach of the men’s basketball team. That was my first experience as part of Team Ireland and I loved every minute of the training and games.

The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai was another fantastic experience: I went to the games as a coach/chaperone with the ladies’ basketball team. The host town in China was absolutely brilliant – we did so many exciting things. As soon as I came home I wanted to go to another World Games – and so here I am. This time it’s a Winter Games!

Since I’ve been involved with Special Olympics, I have always coached basketball although I have tried my hand at some other sports as well assisting the volunteer coaches in Waterford Clubs.

My interest in floorball started when I attended an “Introduction to Floorball” session and I loved it from the beginning. It’s a fast paced, physical game – right up my alley!

At the 2012 Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games I coached the Waterford floorball team. Following on from that I applied for a position with Team Ireland for the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea and to my delight I was selected as coach chaperone.

Since May 2012 we have been training in our clubs including single day and weekend sessions. We had our last session in January 2013 and now were ready for lift off!

It’s a huge commitment for coaches and athletes to take part in a Special Olympics World Games but the experience is amazing and I’ve no doubt South Korea will be the same.