Four Cranbrook locals are gearing up to represent Team BC in Bocce for a chance to make the Special Olympics Canada team.
From August 11 to 15, one of Special Olympics BC’s biggest provincial teams ever will pursue personal bests at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Jesse Jensen, James MacFarlane, Samantha McLean and Shyanne Moe will be representing Team BC in Bocce.
The team hails from Cranbrook and has been playing as a team for four years.
“We have an amazing dynamic, and we all get along way which is a big bonus,” says Samantha McLean, Team Captain.
Athletes qualified as a team at the provincial round of the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George.
“They were the undefeated team in provincials for the top division in division A,” says Carolyn McLean, Team Coach.
“They were picked to go to Nationals to represent Team BC for one of the Bocce teams to play.”
This is the first Cranbrook/Kimberley chapter Bocce team to go to Nationals.
Athletes from every province will compete individually in Medicine Hat, each aiming for the chance to represent Canada at the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.
The competition will include five preliminary games, followed by medal rounds. Afterward, Special Olympics Canada will select the team that will represent the country.
Since January, the team has been practicing at New Dawn Place in Cranbrook, where the space has been donated so they can train at no cost.
They have travelled to Prince George, Trail, Fernie and Campbell River over the last four years to compete as a team in Bocce.
This will be the team’s first time at Nationals, and they are excited but also nervous.
“This is going to be my first Nationals event. I’m really excited but I’m really, really nervous,” adds Samantha.
“The opening ceremony will make me more nervous than the games,” says James MacFarlane.
Jesse Jensen has competed at nationals for skiing, but this will be his first time competing in the summer sports at this level.
“I’ve been there with other competitions other than Bocce. But this is my first nationals for Bocce,” adds James.
The team has always competed outdoors, but in Medicine Hat, they will play indoors on inflatable courts.
The Cranbrook/Kimberley chapter will also send three swimmers and one golfer to compete for Team BC.
Team BC is comprised of more than 244 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 75 volunteer coaches, and 22 mission staff from more than 42 communities across British Columbia.
The Cranbrook/Kimberley athletes leave August 9 and invite the community to cheer them on as they depart from the Canadian Tire parking lot at 8:30 a.m.
The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games will be held from August 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
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