SO, Special Olympics Western Australia Word from the West SOWA State Games
September 2012 Pg. 1
Faces of the Games
72 athletes from Perth, Kalgoorlie, Albany and Esperance converged at the Landsdale Farm School for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 State Games for Athletics; Aquatics; Equestrian and Softball. The overnight camp was capped with performances from soloist Jake Sartori and dance troupe “Sparkle and Shine�. On the following day, the fierce competition at the sporting venues was a testament to the training and direction the sports coaches have dedicated to the athletes over the year. With the phenomenal support of coaches/team support/volunteers from SOWA, Volunteers WA, RDAWA and Swimming WA, a great weekend was had by all. L
Left: Jack Caughey, Kalgoorlie at Athletics
P
P SOWA Athlete George Harwood
Athlete Leadership Program Left: Andrea Penny at Softball Below: Michelle Bennett with performer Jake Sartori at the Opening Ceremony
Telephone (08) 9321 3207 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
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Community Sports-Link Program Joondalup Cricket Skills Day
September 2012
Pg. 2
Santa Maria College
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SOWA hosted a Cricket Skills Day in September at Joondalup. 70 students from Creaney and Joondalup ESC attended and thoroughly enjoyed the morning of developing cricket skills and learning more about cricket. The day was hosted by Joondalup/Kinross Cricket Champs Club and supported by volunteers from both the WACA and Cricket Champs. The highlight of the day was meeting Australian cricket legend Tom Moody who assisted on the day. Thanks to all for a great day. FF
For the second year, the Year 9 O’Reilly Homeroom from Santa Maria College organised a multi-sport Ribbon Day for 55 students from neighbouring schools. The day was well supported by Auskick and Tennis WA and with skills in basketball and soccer. Santa Maria highlighted the event with a Special Olympics Hands of Friendship montage with all participating students leaving their handprint on the day. A huge thanks to Santa Maria for their continued support.
Students from Creaney & Joondalup Ed Support Centres enjoyed the Cricket Champs Skills Day with support from the WACA, T The Special Olympics Hands of Friendship montage was proudly Joondalup/Kinross Club and Australian cricket legend Tom dis displayed at the end of the Santa Maria College multi-sport Moody. t Rib Ribbon Day. Skills in Australian Rules Football, Tennis, Soccer and Basketball was enjoyed by all.
Telephone (08) 9321 3207
Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Community Sports-Link Program Midvale Ribbon Day
September 2012
Pg. 3
EKS Award
Students from Kalamunda Primary School Education Support Centre celebrated the Olympic Year at a Special Olympics Community-Sports Link Ribbon Day at Swan Park Recreation Centre. The day commenced with an Olympic march followed by skills in Soccer, Basketball, Swimming and Cricket. The day was hugely supported from our friends from Ajilon, Football West, WACA, Basketball WA and Royal Life Saving Society of WA. Thanks to Mrs Craig whose unlimited energy and enthusiasm ensured a great day.
L to R: Mark Dodd (mentor), Luke Towers (ALPS Coordinator), Rusty Nelligan and City of Wanneroo Mayor, Tracey Roberts at the Closing Ceremony of the State Games when Rusty was presented with his EKS Award.
The EKS Award is an annual award presented to a Special Olympics athlete who has shown great leadership skills. This award is presented on EKS Day in honour of Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. SOWA athlete, Russel Nelligan, also known as ‘Rusty’, has been involved with Special Olympics for over 28 years and has reached the pinnacle of competition, but it his positive attitude, passion for Special Olympics and advanced leadership qualities that have inspired his winning of the 2012 EKS Award. Well done Rusty!
Basketball State Games
Friday 2 November 6pm to 8pm Joondalup Arena $10 per player
Endeavour ESC Ribbon Day A crowd of 150 eager students from Malibu, Koorana, Endeavour, Halls Head and Rockingham Beach came together to experience a mini Olympics at a recent Ribbon Day. The rain and wind did not dampen the spirits of so many children experiencing the sports of cricket, athletics, football, netball and tabloid sports and gaining insight in to Special Olympics. Thanks to Endeavour ESC for hosting us and we hope to see you next year!
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 Basketball and Tenpin Bowling will be held on the 2nd and 10th November respectively. 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
Bulletin Board
September 2012
“SO Celebrates 2012”
Pg. 4
“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 seeking nominations for the following categories; 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;
Special Olympics Western Australia members are cordially invited to come and join in the celebrations to recognise the achievements of Special Olympics Western Australia in 2012: Junior National Games Team Farewell Special Olympics Western Australia State Awards Class of 2012 Athlete Leadership Program Graduation Trans-Tasman Team of 2012 Wednesday 5 December 5pm to 7pm Old Observatory Grounds 4 Havelock St, West Perth RSVP: Jenny Loftus at jennl@specialolympics.com.au or phone 9321 3207 by Wednesday 14th November, 2012 Please note than numbers are limited, so to avoid disappointment, please RSVP as soon as possible.
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.
For noting
Volunteer Role
1) Please note your diaries the cancellation of the anticipated Muscle versus Machine 2012 at the IGA Royal Show.
BASKETBALL HEAD COACH After 8 years of service to SOWA, Julie Williams will be stepping down from her role as Head Coach of the Joondalup Basketball program. The role requires some experience in basketball, however past coaching experience is not crucial. To ensure a quality sports program all of our coaches are accredited by the relevant National Sports Organisation and we can assist with obtaining accreditation. You will need to commit to weekly coaching sessions during the months of March through to November, as well as travelling to competition intrastate, interstate or overseas.
2) Please also note that if an email address was provided with contact details on registration for Special Olympics Western Australia, future correspondence will be via the provided email address. For members that do not have an electronic option, hard copies of all communication will be forwarded to coaches for distribution. 3) If you require any amendments to your registration details, do not hesitate to contact SOWA State Office with the relevant changes.
For further details, please contact Julie Williams on 9409 5171. Telephone (08) 9321 3207
Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Bulletin Board
September 2012
Pg. 5
Volunteer Role
FOOTBALL (SOCCER) ASSISTANT COACH With support from sporting partner Football West, SOWA is seeking an Assistant Football Coach to develop a Special Olympic program on a weekly basis. The candidate must be energetic and keen on working with people who want to learn and enjoy themselves. The candidate must either have a Football (soccer) Grassroots Qualification or be willing to undergo the course. With a robust dual competition pathway at a local, state, national and international level with Special Olympics and Football West, the opportunities for an enthusiastic assistant coach will ensure reward and enjoyment. For any further queries, or for interested parties, contact:
Gordon Duus | Inclusive Development Officer Football West Tel: 08 9422 6914 Mobile: 0410 659 422 Email: gordond@footballwest.com.au
Athlete Leadership Program 2013
2013 Asia Pacific Games
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST “Together We Succeed” ALPs encourage and support athletes to channel athlete’s confidence through public speaking, community engagement, working on committees and acting as ambassadors. Special Olympics Western Australia (SOWA) is continuing the Athlete Leadership Program in 2013 and offering this opportunity to our members. As part of the Program, the Athlete will receive training from mentors from the student body of the University of Western Australia and under the guidance of ALPs Coordinator, Luke Towers. The Special Olympic Ambassadors will be the voice and face of our Athletes, with the State Board and Regional committees seeking advice and opinions on sporting programs, competition pathways and innovations with all opinions valued. If you are interested in being considered for this Program, please contact Luke Towers at luke_towers@hotmail.com to receive a copy of the Expressions of Interest form to be completed before 31st October. Telephone (08) 9321 3207
Earlier this year Special Olympics Australia announced that Newcastle, Australia had won the bid to host the Inaugural Asia Pacific Games in December 2013. Australia will be sending a team with athletes competing in the following sports: Athletics, Aquatics, Basketball, and Tenpin Bowling. Athletes from across Australia will be selected from State games that have been identified as qualifying events. In Western Australia they are:
Basketball – 2nd November, 2012 Tenpin Bowling – 10th November, 2012 Athletics, Aquatics – 29/30 September 2012
Selection Criteria for Asia Pacific games will be; All registered members are eligible for selection Must be over the age of 16 for selection Records reflecting ongoing training and competition and registered on our data base Results from the nominated qualifying events Information relating to the upcoming games will be made available in future newsletters
Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WESTERN AUSTRALIA CALENDAR OCTOBER to DECEMBER SOWA Calendar PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY LUKE SIMPKINS MP Federal Member for Cowan,
OCTOBER 8th Oct - 12th Oct
SOWA
SO Trans-Tasman Competition
Cairns, Qld
13th Oct - 14th Oct
Basketball
Ivor Burge Trials
Perry Lakes
19 Oct
State Board
Cricket Skills Day
Mandurah
24th Oct
SOWA
2013 Calendar Planning evening
DSR 6pm to 9pm
26th Oct
State Board
Ribbon Day
Herb Graham Rec Ctr, Mirrabooka
30th Oct
State Board
Board Meeting
SOWA Office 4/1321 Hay St, West Perth
1st Nov
State Board
Ribbon Day
Ray Owen Rec Centre, Lesmurdie
2nd Nov
Basketball
Basketball State Games
Venues West, Joondalup
3rd Nov
Soccer
Development Squad Training
Gibbney Reserve Maylands 11.45am to 12.30pm
Gymnastics
Gymnastics WA State Championships
Gymnastics W.A.
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
th
NOVEMBER
8th Nov - 11th Nov
DECEMBER 2nd Dec
Basketball
3rd Dec
State Board
Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament International Day of People with Disabilities
5th Dec
State Board
"SO Celebrates 2012"
SOWA
Special Olympics Junior National Games
State Board
State Board Meeting
5th Dec - 7 Dec 11 Dec
Telephone (08) 9321 3207
Basketball WA Stadium
The Old Observatory, West Perth, 5pm to 7pm Newcastle, NSW SOWA State Office 4/1321 Hay St, West Perth
Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au