Oliver Storseth launches initiative that pairs players, athletes with disabilities

By Corey LeBlanc

Oliver Storseth has made countless memories during his time as a volunteer with Eastern Highlands Special Olympics.

When the STFX X-Men varsity soccer player decided he wanted not only to create more, but also share them with other White and Blue student-athletes, he came up with the idea for the recently launched Unified at X initiative.

"I wanted to find a way to give back, and I thought it could be a great experience for everyone," the Antigonish native says.

Unified at X is based on the Special Olympics Unified Sport model, which provides "an inclusive sport program that brings athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together for competition." Meant to create an environment of "meaningful competition," a similar number of athletes – with and without intellectual disabilities – combine their skills to compete against evenly matched opponents.

"It is not so much about teaching, but just having the opportunity to play," Storseth offered, explaining one of the key focuses for the program is to remove barriers for the participating athletes.

Unified at X sessions – which are scheduled to take place every second Wednesday – kicked off with soccer on Sept. 28.

"Everyone had a great time," Storseth said, noting that his X-Men and X-Women soccer teammates are already coaxing him to do it again.

STFX track and field student-athletes led the next celebration of sport on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

"So far, it has gone really well; the response has been excellent," the fourth-year chemistry student in the Bachelor of Science program added.

He noted that it is all about "engaging in sport together."

While at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School, Storseth was amongst a group of students who helped launched a Special Olympics Unified Sport basketball program. As part of that effort, he coached a team that took the court for a three-on-three tournament at the Unified Games in Toronto in 2019.

"Oliver was a standout – both on and off the court," Joan Conrad – regional coordinator of Eastern Highlands Special Olympics – said.

She described Storseth as a "wonderful young man who has brought a lot of enthusiasm and energy to our local Special Olympics group."

Reflecting on that experience, he said, "It is something that I will never forget – it was amazing."

For more than two years, sport – at all levels – has been affected greatly by the COVID-19 global pandemic, and Special Olympics is no exception; the effect on the program's athletes has been particularly challenging, considering the void that it has left in many lives.

"When was started track and field practices at X last spring, Oliver arrived at one of our practices and said he missed being part of Special Olympics and would like to get involved again," Conrad remembered.

His return started with a spot on the coaching staff for the Eastern Highlands soccer team that was preparing for the 2022 Special Olympics Nova Scotia Summer Games in July.

"Oliver knows soccer and know our athletes, so it was a great fit," Conrad said.

Coming off that summer experience, Storseth decided that he wanted to do more, so he pitched the idea of Unified at X to Conrad and the local organization.

Describing him as a "leader and innovator," she explained that the dedicated volunteer has "taken the lead" with the project.

"Our athletes had a ball and [they] can't wait to return for the track session," Conrad said of the inaugural gathering that focused on soccer.

Noting that it is a "fluid group" – the participants will change, depending on the sport – she added, "It allows for athletes to try some different sports and to work out with university athletes."

With Unified at X, Conrad explained that Storseth is "working to bring two groups together who have a lot to share with one another."

"If the first session was any indication, there are friendships to be made, skills to be learned and fun to be had," she said.

Conrad added, "We are grateful for his energy, enthusiasm and commitment to Special Olympics. 

"His advocacy will help provide new experiences for our athletes, develop new friendships within both groups and bring new volunteers to the organization."

Reflecting on how his fellow Xaverian student-athletes will benefit from the experience, Storseth explained that – while they are used to, understandably, playing at a high and competitive level – often the "true meaning of sport" takes a back seat. With Unified at X, that focus is at the forefront – the sheer joy of playing the game.

"I think it is great to gain that perspective," he said.

After graduating from STFX in the spring, Storseth plans to continue his studies at medical school.

"I am still figuring that one out," he said, when asked about his decision on a speciality, although he is leaning towards family medicine.

No matter what path he follows, Storseth plans to continue his relationship with Special Olympics.

That's great news for Conrad.

"I hope that Oliver will stay involved in some way for many years to come.  He is definitely part of the Special Olympics family," she said.

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