Building Belonging Through Movement: The Heart Behind Comox Valley’s Inclusive Track Meet
By Jina Taylor, District Lead Teacher for Physical Literacy, School District #71
When we first envisioned an inclusive track meet here in the Comox Valley, it was with a simple but powerful goal: to create a space where students with disabilities could feel celebrated, empowered, and—most importantly—valued.
A few years ago, one of our organizers, Mat Zadvorny, the driving force behind the vision for this event, brought forward the idea of launching an Inclusive Track Meet in our district. Having volunteered for many years at the Special Track Meet while working in the Surrey School District, and learning alongside Marg Geddes, the longtime organizer and principal behind Surrey’s event, Mat saw firsthand the joy, confidence, and sense of belonging these meets brought to students. He knew this kind of experience would have a lasting impact here as well. When he approached me with the idea of assembling a team to bring the event to life in the Comox Valley, I jumped at the opportunity. From there, we began planning SD71’s inaugural inclusive track meet, joined by fellow organizer Amanda Lange.
This year, I had the joy of co-leading our second annual event alongside Mat and Amanda. Together, with our phenomenal volunteers and community partners, we created a day these kids—and all of us—will never forget.
In 2024, we welcomed 80 student athletes. This year, that number grew to 120. That’s not just growth in numbers; that’s growth in belonging, opportunity, and visibility for kids who too often don’t see themselves represented in sport. The day featured eight adapted activity stations designed for a wide range of abilities: wheelchair races, obstacle courses, long jump, soccer, water bottle sticker decorating, javelin, boccia, and beach volleyball. The event culminated in a mini-marathon and bubble party—two moments of pure joy that lit up the entire track with laughter, cheering, and more than a few happy tears.
What struck me the most? The smiles. The hugs. The lack of meltdowns. For many of our students, life outside of this one day can be filled with barriers, sensory overwhelm, and exclusion. But here, surrounded by peers, volunteers, and a community that sees their potential, they thrive. “The biggest thing is that these kids want to feel empowered,” I often say, “and by us fostering an inclusive space, these kids feel like they’re valued—and it’s evident.”
We were honoured to welcome several special guests who amplified the day with their commitment to inclusion and adaptive sport. From Dwayne and Pauline at ISPARC (Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council), to Pacific Sport Vancouver Island—where Robin Bull introduced our students to wheelchair sports—these partners enriched our event beyond measure. Darren Mitzel from SET BC, brought inclusive games that ignited excitement and cooperation among our students. An extra big heartfelt thanks to Andrea Carey and Chris Wright from OneAbility Games, who not only ran our boccia station with expertise, but also inspired us with their leadership in the inclusive sport movement. The OneAbility Games are leading the charge toward the first-ever multi-sport disability games in BC, slated for May 2026 at the Richmond Oval. I’m honoured to be a part of the Educator Champion Network helping to shape that historic event.
This event would not be possible without our community. Last year, we had 50 volunteers. This year, over 100 volunteers stepped up—parents, educators, support staff, high school leadership students, members of the community, small business owners, and more. They cheered, coached, adapted, and celebrated every single child.
A very special thank-you goes out to our generous local donors and sponsors who made this event not only possible but unforgettable. Their support ensured we had the resources, equipment, and extras—like the bubble party, ribbons, and fun touches—to create a truly memorable experience for every participant. Darryl Robbins and Company brought the sunshine with 110 beach balls, sunglasses, and 10 staff volunteers. Royal Bank and MainRoad Contracting each contributed $1,000, while Chinook Forest Products and Chris Ford, a dedicated parent, each donated $250. McDonald’s delighted everyone with free ice cream for athletes and coffee coupons for adults. Ryan Williams from ReMax generously provided tents, while Foveo Running kept everyone hydrated with a water filling station. We were well cared for thanks to BC Ambulance, who provided first aid, and the Courtenay Fire Fighters, who brought both volunteers and a fire truck to thrill the kids. OneAbility Games contributed an incredible $8,000 in boccia equipment and $1,000 toward event food, deepening their commitment to inclusive sport. We also thank Studio IPF’s Leanne, who energized the group with a dynamic warm-up session, and the Comox Valley Child Development Association for their ongoing support of children and families in our community. Every gesture, large and small, helped create a day filled with smiles, laughter, and lasting memories.
To our organizing team, including Mat Zadvorny, whose vision and dedication helped bring this meaningful and impactful event to the Comox Valley—our volunteers, our incredible students and families, and our wider community: thank you for believing in the power of inclusive sport. Thank you for helping make this track meet not just an event, but a celebration of all abilities.
Let’s keep growing, together.