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SO, Special Olympics Western Australia Word from the West Trans-Tasman Tournament
October 2012 Pg. 1
Commonwealth Bank Supports SOWA th
The Western Australia team departed Perth on Thursday 4 October to compete in the 2012 Trans-Tasman Tournament. The team of 25 athletes and 10 officials represented WA in Athletics, Basketball and Tenpin Bowling. After a couple of days acclimatising to the warmer weather, recovering from the long plane trips and having a couple of days of sightseeing, the games were ready to begin. The Opening Ceremony was held at Barlow Park and closed with a spectacular fireworks display. The competition was ready to begin! All athletes had the opportunity to strut their stuff and strut they did, achieving their personal bests. As the games drew to a close, the Closing Ceremony was upon us and closed out with more fantastic fireworks. The athletes and officials then had the opportunity to let their hair down after busy days of competition with a disco and the WA team were at the forefront of the dancing action. The Basketball team was invited to attend the Cairns Taipans NBL game and were their guests of honour, being announced to the crowd at half-time. The trip then concluded with more sightseeing before a long haul flight home. Even the Games Organising committee recognised the distance we travelled to make it, thanking us for coming all the way to Cairns. Athletes and officials alike had a fantastic trip with many friendship forged and memories made. A BIG thank you to Genine Hunter and her team of officials for making the games possible. We can’t wait for the next opportunity to travel and represent WA.
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Di Bruce SOWA State Manager receiving the cheque from the Commonwealth Bank West Perth Branch Manager
The West Perth Branch of the Commonwealth Bank recently hosted a morning tea for Special Olympics WA and the Branch Manager presented Di Bruce, SOWA State Manager with a sizeable cheque the Community P to support P SOWA Athlete Sports Programme in 2013. George Harwood In 2013 the Commonwealth Bank are supporting over 240 community organisations across Australia by awarding funds through community grants. Since 1917 the Staff Community Fund has been supporting the health and wellbeing of Australian children. Thanks to the generosity of the staff who donates to the Staff Community Fund, Athlete Program they are able toLeadership assist organisations such as SOWA. Thanks Commonwealth Bank.
SOWA Athlete Lights Up The Skies 2012 SOPMN Junior Athlete of the Year, Chris Minutello was bestowed the honour of starting the fireworks at the IGA Royal Show. Chris was recognised by IGA for his achievements in his chosen sports, football and athletics in 2012. With his parents Sue and Sav by his side, Chris ignited the nightly fireworks in the main arena of the IGA Royal Show. Congratulations Chris and thanks to IGA! Chris Minutello, SOPMN Junior Athlete of the Year, with parents Sue and Sav at the IGA Royal Show Fireworks. Chris was bestowed the honour of starting the fireworks.
News and Events
October 2012
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SOWA Softball take on Western Desert Reds
SOWA softballer’s were recently invited to compete at the national Gilley’s Shield, as guests of the Softball WA CEO, Mr Trevor Howard. Our team versed the Western Desert Reds from the Pilbara. The opportunity to showcase the talents of both teams was phenomenal and we look forward to a continued relationship with Softball WA. Thanks Trevor!!
Special Olympics School Mentoring Programme Launch The official launch of the Special Olympics School Mentoring Programme was held at North Balga Primary School in October. The programme with SOWA Alp’s members and the students of the Moorditj Unit of the school will see a fortnightly mentoring session with a vast array of subject matters delivered and shared. The programme commenced with a professional cheerleading routine performed by the group. Honourable Peter Collier, Minister for Education; Margaret Quirk MLA and Andrea Mitchell MLA were amongst the special guests invited to attend the all school assembly to launch the programme.
Herb Graham Recreation Centre Ribbon Day 44 students from Westminster Primary School, Hudson Primary School and Leeming Senior High School Special Education Support Centres attended a Community Sports-Link Ribbon Day at Herb Graham Recreation Centre. With the support from the WACA; Football West and Softball WA, grassroots skills in all three sports were experienced by the students. The highlight of the day was accepting an invitation from Softball WA to play a game of softball on the state ground diamonds and then we sat back and watched a fierce game between NSW and Qld in the Gilley’s Shield. Thanks Softball WA.
SOWA Athlete Leadership Programme members assisted Moorditj students from the North Balga Primary School in forming a pyramid at the Special Olympic School Mentoring Programme launch.
Telephone (08) 9321 3207
Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Bulletin Board
October 2012
”State of Origin 2013”
State of Origin 2013 3/4/5 May 2013 Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Special Olympics WA will be extending an invitation to SOSA & SOWA athletes to attend the 2013 State of Origin being held in Kalgoorlie. The annual event will include a weekend of friendly rivalry in competition; social functions; sightseeing and . friendship and fellowship. Selected athletes will be invited to attend to compete in an individual sport and a team sport.
SPORTS ON OFFER
Aquatics Athletics Basketball Cricket Golf Gymnastics Soccer Softball Lawn bowls (offered to tenpin bowlers)
Thursday pm: Registration Friday: Goldfields sightseeing tours Friday evening: Opening Ceremony Saturday morning: Individual heats Saturday afternoon: Individual finals Saturday night: Dinner and Disco Sunday morning: Team sport & Closing Ceremony
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“SOWA Awards 2012” The achievements of Special Olympics Western Australia members will be recognised at the end of the year “SO Celebrates 2012” occasion. Coordinators of the evening are currently nominations for the following categories;
seeking
SOWA Athlete of the Year SOWA Junior Athlete of the Year SOWA Volunteer of the Year Nominations will be processed through the SOWA State Selection Committee and decisions will be final. The criteria for nominees include;
Award recipient must be athlete/volunteer of SOWA
Award recognition is for the period of January to October 2012
Made a significant contribution to the organisation through sport or coaching
Acted as a role model or advocate for other athletes with a disability in the community
Shown all qualities in accordance with the expectations of the Special Olympics Code of Conduct and in agreeance with the spirit and intent of the Code
a
current
registered
Nomination forms will be distributed to all members for completion, and can also be found online. Forms are to be forwarded to SOWA State Office at dib@specialolympics.com.au or posted to PO Box 207, Woodvale, WA 6026. Deadline for nominations is Wednesday 14th November, 2012.
Tenpin Bowling State Games Saturday 10 November 9am to 4pm Superbowl Warwick $30 for one event $50 for two events "Special Olympics WA State Games 2012” for Tenpin Bowling will be held on the 10th November..
Registration: $250.00 per athlete (Plus travel from Perth) Put the date in your diaries and await more information in coming months……….
Registration Forms have already been distributed to members, however if you did not receive one, please contact the office on 9309 4003, leave a message, and one will be sent out to you. We would like to see as many of you there as possible, so please get those forms in. To qualify for a chance of selection for the Asia-Pacific games in Newcastle next year, you must have participated in these games. For Bowlers, you must compete in at least the Singles event."
Telephone (08) 9321 3207
Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WESTERN AUSTRALIA CALENDAR NOVEMBER to DECEMBER
SOWA Calendar PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY LUKE SIMPKINS MP Federal Member for Cowan,
NOVEMBER 2nd Nov
Basketball
Basketball State Games
Venues West, Joondalup 6.00pm – 8.00pm
3rd Nov
Soccer
Development Squad Training
Gibbney Reserve Maylands 11.45am to 1
Gymnastics
Gymnastics WA State Championships
Gymnastics W.A.
Cricket
Cricket Skills Day
Mandurah Cricket Club
10th Nov
Tenpin Bowling
Tenpin Bowling State Games
Superbowl Warwick
14th Nov
State Board
Ribbon Day
Christchurch Grammar School
27th Nov
Tenpin Bowling
Season ends
Super bowl Warwick
2nd Dec
Basketball
Basketball WA Stadium
3rd Dec
State Board
Everybodys Game Basketball Tournament International Day of People with Disabilities
5th Dec
State Board
"SO Celebrates 2012"
The Old Observatory, West Perth, 5pm to 7pm
SOWA
Special Olympics Junior National Games
Newcastle, NSW
State Board
State Board Meeting
Sirona Capital Building
8th Nov - 11th Nov th
9 Nov
DECEMBER
5th Dec - 7 Dec 11-Dec
Trans-Tasman Tournament Memories…
Telephone (08) 9321 3207
Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au