Active Champions

Sunera Samarakoon

What Activities Keep You Fit and Active?
I started playing wheelchair basketball when I was 15 years old and had the opportunity to play on the 2005 Junior National Team. During this time I played and trained a lot. Now I have transitioned into coaching which brings new challenges. I value balance and though I am studying Child and Youth Care at Douglas College, I still try to make time to get to the gym. I lift weights and use the rowing machine to achieve a cardio work out.

What Motivated You to Become Active?
Connections I made in the community at a young age were really important to me. People I looked up to encouraged me to live a healthy active lifestyle. This helped me understand the importance of getting active at an early age and what it can do for a child's self-esteem and overall health and well being. I believe that sport is a great way for people to make positive connections, and it has the power to change lives. This is one reason why I became involved with the Night Hoops Program, and why I am excited to be working as a Program Assistant in the Youth Work area at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre.

How Do You Motivate Yourself to Stay Fit?
Fitness comes first. I remind myself that health is the number one key for life, and that if I don't maintain a healthy body it will be difficult to have a healthy mind and excel in other areas of life such as school and my career. I focus on balance and making time to do what I need to do.

What Are the Benefits of Being Fit for You?
When you are active it is easier to make the other areas of your life fit as well. You eat healthier, and sleep well as a result. Additionally, the daily tasks you have to do become easier and more manageable; and for me, staying fit allows me to keep up with the kids!

Who Are / Were Your Role Models?
When I was competing in Wheelchair Basketball I looked up to various athletes in my sport for their levels of skill, and contributions through teamwork and leadership. Now that I am embarking on a career in coaching I am inspired by those that helped me to where I am. As well, I look forward to working under different head coaches to continue learning and developing my own coaching abilities.

Hobbies / Interests?
I really enjoy helping out in a community environment where I can interact with people and learn about their lives. I volunteer for the Union Gospel Mission during their annual dinners and spending time involved in activities at the community centres where I work.

Thrills?
Sports! I enjoy most sports but most recently playing hockey in general and water skiing during the summer.

Favourite Things?
I love learning, the outdoors, interacting with people and spending quality time with friends and family.

Favourite Quotes:
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."
Maya Angelou

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficult." Winston Churchill

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