Photo courtesy of Special Olympics
You just might see her on the soccer pitch when she’s not working with her colleagues on the EPS Community Engagement Team.
Constable Amanda Trenchard loves coaching and will and soon be formally presented as the winner of the Rob Plunkett Law Enforcement Torch Run Award which is given by Special Olympics Canada. The national award is named in memory of Detective Constable Robert Plunkett who lost his life in the line of duty in 2007.
“It's an honour, but it's strange because it's something I absolutely love to do and I would do it no matter what,” said Trenchard.
Special Olympics Alberta is an organization that supports and provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Trenchard became involved with the movement about 23 years ago after being asked to help with a soccer practice.
“I went out and got hooked because it's just amazing. The athletes, their sportsmanship, their enjoyment and just to see them overcome challenges and show off their abilities.”
Constable Trenchard shares one of her favorite stories about a Special Olympian
Over the years, Trenchard has coached hundreds of athletes but there is one story that stands out in her mind. It involves a young girl.
“She was not able to speak and didn’t hear well…and she was nervous,” said Trenchard.
She remembers that the girl needed to be led around the field by a coach when she began playing. But in the last tournament of the season, she scored a goal. A moment Trenchard remembers vividly.
“They came back to tell me that her parents had been there, her family had been there, and they had videotaped it. In all the years of her life, she had gone, she had seen her nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters’ videos and they showed off their medals…and she was able to finally show off her medal and her video of her participating in sport.”
Trenchard says it’s stories like that which keep her coming back to coach Special Olympians.
“I find sometimes our job can be really tough…But I show up at practice and I see their challenges and I see how much they enjoy life. And I'm like, ‘It's not so bad.’ This is amazing,” said Trenchard.