8 THE VOICE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25, 2015 EDITOR SARA RABEY i 66 I never thought I could be someone who would have the opportu- nity LINDSEY MCDONALD PARASKIER By ANNE-SOPHIE RODET Ihe Nordic Racers Cross-Country Ski Club in Vancouver wants to make the para-nordic sport more accessible by training people who can help skiers with disabilities. There has been an increase in inter- est for their sport after the Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver in 2010, said Tony Chin, para-nordic coach at the club. The club wants to give more opportunities to anybody with disabili- ties and introduce them to cross-coun- try skiing. “There was certainly more aware- ness of Paralympics and people with physical disabilities,” he said. Chin explained that somebody who NORDIC RACERS CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CLUB submitted photo Emily Weekes (left) and Lindsey McDonald (right), two B.C. athletes in the women’s standing category. Paraski coaches make tracks Adaptive ski program inspires people to challenge themselves is visibly impaired or in a wheelchair for example has to face many challeng- es, so getting into any sports are even more challenging. The club has started to train people who are interested in working with ski- ers with disabilities. “You do need to have people who are not necessarily sport coaches but just knowledgeable on how to do basic things with somebody in a wheelchair,” Chin said, mentioning volunteers play an important role in the club. “We’re always looking for people that want to get involved, that want to help,” said Jessica Heyes, another coach of Paralympic athletes. Heyes switched to coach para-nordic skiing last year after coaching cross- country to able skiers, including her daughters, for many years. Heyers will be taking a course spe- cifically designed for para-nordic coaching during the national para-nor- dic development camp. Lindsey McDonald is one of the ath- letes trained by the club who has a chance to be selected for the Paralym- pics in South Korea in 2018. McDonald, who had no previous ex- perience in cross-country skiing, only joined the team last year after some- body from the club approached her at the coffee shop where she worked. “T never thought I could be someone who would have the opportunity,” she said. GIANTS schedule 1 At Seattle Thunder- birds, Nov. 27 2 At Portland Winter- hawks, Nov. 28 3 Vs Medicine Hat Tigers, Dec. 2 4 Vs Kootenay Ice, Dec. 4 5 At Everett Silvertips, Dec. 5 Source: Giants website http:// The Vancouver Giants practise Tuesday morning, for the big game tonight in Spokane. Giants shoot toward turnaround SCOTT DRAKE photo vancouvergiants.com/ schedule/381/115 66 After a series of losses, the team is prepared to be more aggressive to get the neccessary goals By SCOTT DRAKE vate the mental aspect of their game as they take on the Spokane Chiefs Wednesday night. The Giants have lost 13 of their last 14 games and find themselves at the bottom of T: Vancouver Giants look to ele- the Western Conference in the Western Hockey League. They head for a three game road trip through Spokane, Seattle and Port- land. Perhaps more disconcerting for the team is the fact that they’ve twice blown a multiple goal leads in their last four games According to Giants head coach Lorne Molleken, playing with the lead is just one part of the game, but it requires a certain mentality to keep focus. “Sometimes when something bad goes wrong it seems that, with our group, we just fold back instead of attacking and being ag- gressive.” Molleken said Molleken stresses that the game of hock- ey operates at such a fast pace that players have to be mentally prepared all the time. They have to act without thinking. “Tf you stand to think about what’s going on, it’s too late.” With a 5-14-2 record, Molleken says it is disappointing to be where we’re at right now. Though the team lost its last game 5-2 to the Kelowna Rockets, Molleken liked the fact that we played extremely hard and the encouraging thing for me was that the guys really struck up for each other.” The Giants game against Spokane starts tonight at 7:05 p.m. If you stand to think about what’s go- ing on, it’s too late LORNE MOLLEKEN GIANTS HEAD COACH SS poris Stealth gets ready to hit turf The Vancouver lacrosse team is getting ready, gaining a fast break on the upcoming season By SERENA PATTAR ith the 2016 National Lacrosse Wier (NLL) season on the horizon, the Vancouver Stealth are beginning preparations for pre- season, which includes a pre-season scrimmage this Saturday against the Saskatchewan Rush. Vancouver finished last season fourth in the Western Division and out of the playoffs with a 5-18 record. Jan. 9, 2016 will be the first chance for fans to see the revamped team in the home opener when the Stealth host the New England Black Wolves at the Langley Events Centre (LEC). The Stealth haven’t been quiet this off season, as new additions to the 2016 roster include Langley native Garrett Billings, and Finland born Joakim Mill- er. Miller is the first athlete of Finnish- descent to play for the Stealth, and there’s high hopes the 220 pound, 6-foot-5 defenseman will inject some new life into the team. Entering its third season as the Van- couver Stealth, the team is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since _ relocating from Everett, Washington. Billings is aware of the pressure the team faces, but is excited to play so close to home. “T could not be GARRETT BILLINGS more excited for Vancouver this opportunity to Stealth forward join the Stealth, and I know my family is equally happy to drive just a few minutes down the road and watch me play,” said Bill- ings. Langley resident Alexander Tadic, didn’t know much about lacrosse be- fore attending a Stealth game in 2014, but says the team has made him a fan. “Tve only been to a few games, and I still don’t know much about lacrosse,” Tadic said. “But I really like going to the games, it’s a great atmosphere, and a great thing to do with my daughters, and I learn more each time.” Tadic is excited to watch Billings, and believes his experience will benefit the team. “It’s always nice to see a local play- ing,” said Tadic, “Especially one with [Billings] skills, he’s really great to watch.” The Stealth’s training camp begins this Saturday, November 28 at the LEC Fieldhouse. The first scrimmage ver- sus the Saskatchewan Rush also takes place this Saturday evening at 6:00pm. VANCOUVER STEALTH submitted photo Transition player LLija Gajic cradling the bail. & Falcons’ Tally rh WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL W-D-L W-D-L 3-0-4 5-0-2 Ranked: 5th Ranked: 3rd