SO, Special Olympics Western Word from the West
March 2012 Pg. 1
AUSTRALIA WINS BID TO HOST 2013 ASIA PACIFIC GAMES
SOWA Reports
The Special Olympics Australia executive team was thrilled to invite Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, GovernorGeneral of the Commonwealth of Australia to officially reveal that Australia will host the inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games in 2013!
There seems to be excitement all around following the recent announcement of Australia’s success in winning the Asia Pacific Games. The excitement also highlights the upcoming games for 2012.
The official announcement was made recently on the forecourt of Sydney Opera House in the presence of Special Olympics athletes, Board and senior staff. Other attendees including:
In May we farewell our State of Origin Challengers to Adelaide to compete in Aquatics, Athletics and Equestrian against our competitive South Australian neighbours. They will be closely followed by our softballers to travel to Melbourne to compete at the Victorian State Games.
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Barry O’Farrell, NSW Premier The Hon. Graham Annesley, MP, NSW Minister for Sports and Recreation The Hon. Andrew Constance, MP, NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Scipione, NSW Police Commissioner
All athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and family members should celebrate this announcement as it puts us in a great position to see Special Olympics Australia in the spotlight. As Newcastle will also host the 2012 Junior National Games we now have two great opportunities to make an impact in Australia’s biggest state and beyond. S Rentirely C o a appropriate c h e s A that w a ar great d s N i g h tnation like It is Dalso sporting The should pinnacle of thetheSpecial calendar is and to Australia be leading way in Olympics the Asia Pacific region we hope that the legacy these Games Whilst will beonly consistent and represent your stateofand country. a minimal regular competition with an percentage of for ourpeople members getintellectual to attend disability games atacross this the 25scale, countries in the region. the inclusion of all members in the lead up to events is crucial in creating a unified organisation. Selection criteria . for Special Olympic events ensure all members are given the opportunity to travel at some stage. E.g. State of Origin Games, Trans Tasman Challenge, Asia Pacific Games etc.
State Development Manager
Later in the year a large contingent of athletes will wrap their tropical uniforms on to enjoy the fun and friendly rivalry of the Trans Tasman Tournament in Cairns. Lastly, but certainly not least, our upcoming stars in the junior ranks will land on the shores of Newcastle in NSW to attend the Junior National Games. In addition to the competition opportunities, great things are being planned for the Organisation, with upcoming Sports Lunch, representation at a fundraising event at the Royal Show, Community Sports-Link Program and much more. So stay tuned and look out for our monthly newsletter as we bring you all the latest and greatest from SOWA.
Di Bruce SOWA News and Highlights Guy Leech
Top
Top: Governor General Quentin Bryce with athletes
In the lead up to the Weetbix TRYathlon, SOWA athlete Chris Minutello was extremely fortunate to meet and greet with Bupa Ambassador and Australian Iron Man, Guy Leech. Bupa, major sponsor of the event provided employees to be “Bupa Troopers” and run, swim and cycle alongside our Special O athletes. Chris, his mother Sue and coach Lesley Poole enjoyed their time with Guy Leech.
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Left: SOA staff and athletes celebrating the announcement
Athlete Chris Minutello with Iron Man, Guy Leech
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Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Word from the West
March 2012
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SOWA News & Highlights Trailer Launch
Bupa TRYathlon On Sunday 25th March, five SOWA athletes competed alongside their “Bupa Trooper” in the annual junior’s triathlon. Chris Minutello and Sam Mertsis were joined by Kalgoorlie athletes Daniel Simpson, Wesley Hodgkins and Damian Davison for the swim, cycle and run at Langley Park as they challenged themselves in the event to achieve personal bests. The challenges of the gruelling triathlon were modified for our athletes with the swimming discipline in the Swan River shortened, static exercise bikes provided for the cycle discipline and the run included the volunteers from Bupa. The atmosphere of the event was inspiring with thousands of Western Australian children participating with family and friends cheering them on Many thanks to Bupa and Weetbix for including our Special Olympic leg in the event.
With a great deal of excitement leading up to the commencement of the 2012 Community Sports-Link Program, the recently purchased Special Olympics trailer was launched. The trailer will be seen around town being towed to upcoming Ribbon Days and Skills Days, along with the transportation of luggage for travelling teams. Look at for the SOWA trailer and give us a toot along the way!!! (I would also advise you stay clear of the trailer if it is being reversed!!!)
C o m m u n i t y S p o thr t s - L i n k Tuesday 7 February, 2012 Program With dates and venues finalised this year’s Ribbon and 3.30pm tofor 4.30pm Skills Days, booklets will be emailed to schools in due Raphael Victoria Parkthe booklet, course. However, if you Pwish to preview email me at dib@specialolympics.com.au NO COST for a copy.
Bring a sibling a friend!! Multi Sport Ribbon Day - 18thor May – Kwinana th Multi Sport Ribbon Day -25 May – Geraldton Multi Sport Ribbon Day - 1st June – Bunbury Soccer Skills Day - 8th June – Mirrabooka Multi Sport Ribbon Day - 22nd June – Joondalup Multi Sport Ribbon Day – 7th September – Midvale Cricket Skills Day – 14th September - Joondalup Multi Sport Ribbon Day – 26th October – Mirrabooka Multi Sport Ribbon Day – 1st November – Lesmurdie Multi Sport Ribbon Day – 14th November – Claremont WADSA State Track & Field
Twenty athletes travelled from Kalgoorlie in March to compete at the annual WADSA Track & Field Championships held at Athletics WA Stadium. The team of athletes led by Dot Shipard, Perry May and Adrienne Harmen spent the weekend at the West Beach Lagoon in Scarborough and enjoyed the sun and surf over the weekend. With competition tough this year, our athletes excelled on the track and field. Congratulations to all athletes for attending the championships and for the volunteers that assisted on the weekend.
Top: Chris Minutello with Bupa Trooper Below: SOWA’s Bupa Heroes that participated in the TRYathlon. T
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Word from the West Members Page Elaine Taylor SOWA State Sports Manager The Special Olympics Western Australia community would like to welcome to the team, Elaine Taylor as our State Sports Manager. Elaine comes to us from Dublin, Ireland. Elaine has always been interested in sport, playing basketball and hockey in school and swam competitively for many years. Elaine is a qualified swimming instructor and has a degree in Sports Management. Elaine was appointed to Special Olympics Ireland in 2006 during a college work placement working on the “All Ireland Games” and was there for 3 months in the lead up to and during games, working with the Games Director on the operations side of things. Elaine was also trained as a Coaching Ireland tutor whilst at SO Ireland and volunteered tutoring the Special Olympics Introduction to Coaching Practices course after finishing the placement. Elaine began working in one of the five regions in January 2008 as a Regional Development Officer - Athlete Recruitment recruiting volunteers and athletes for existing clubs, and setting up new clubs. In early 2009 she took over the Sports programme in the region, focusing on organizing competitions, development days, coach education and recruiting, training and retaining sports specific volunteers. In 2010 Elaine lead a team of over 700 athletes and coaches to the “All Ireland Games” working with a management team from selections through to the games. The Eastern Region catered for over 2500 athletes in the greater Dublin area. Elaine left Ireland in January 2012 to move to Perth and now resides in Sorrento and will play an integral role within our Organisation.
March 2012
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SOWA 2011 Highlights At the 2012 Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 31 st March, the Annual Report and Financials were distributed and discussed by attendees. A snapshot the State Board report and highlights from 2011 can be summarised as below; Introduction of the Community Sports-Link Program provided an affordable and memorable introduction to grassroots sporting activities with the provision of pathway of ongoing programs in training and competition. January 2011 began the year with 165 athletes which ended at the end of the year with 724 members, affiliated and registered seeing an increase of 339%. Funding received from Healthway via sponsorship, Chevron via Community Grant and Apex Western Australia via Carols by Candlelight The Athlete Leadership Program was launched in 2011, with 7 mentors from St George’s College and 7 athletes participating in the mentoring program under the guidance of Richard Pengelley and Luke Towers. Launch of the “International Year of the Volunteer” television advertisement, held at Parliament House and hosted by Andrea Mitchell MLA. Launch of the “Law Enforcement Torch Run” at the 2011 Special Olympics Summer World Games Farewell Ceremony held at the Perth Town Hall. SOWA farewelled 10 athletes and 2 officials to the 2011 Special Olympics Summer World Games held at Athens, Greece. The World Games team achievements were acknowledged at half time at the Fremantle Dockers versus West Coast Eagles derby at Patersons Stadium. Annual State Games were held in October at Ern Halliday, with athletes from Special Olympics South Australia joining us for the weekend of friendly competition and fellowship. The annual State Awards were held at Kingsway Sporting Club. SOWA representatives met with the Terry Waldron MLA, Minister for Sport & Recreation and Helen Morton MLC, Minister for Disability Services.
SOWA 2011 Highlights
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Word from the West Bulletin Board
March 2012
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Special Olympics Junior Basketball Program
TMA Sports Lunch Join Special Olympics Western Australia at the 3rd TMA Sports Lunch on the 10th August, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. We are putting FUN back in to FUNdraising at this year’s event, with Peter Rowsthorn (Brett in ‘Kath and Kim’ fame) as our Master of Ceremony, plus Adam Gilchrist (Australian Cricket Legend) as the guest speaker. Put a table together or come along and join a table. If you would like to attend the luncheon, contact Di Bruce at dib@specialolympics.com.au or Fran Eustace, Special Olympics Australia at frane@specialolympics.com.au
FREE TICKETS FOR THE FAMILY TO BE ENTERTAINED AT THE MOVIES The Leukaemia Foundation in conjunction with the Arthritis Foundation is hosting a Kidsflix event on Saturday 28th April at Grand Cinemas Warwick (639 Beach Rd, Warwick). It's a day of family entertainment starting at 9am and includes clowns, face painters and much more with a new release movie (The Pirates!) plus free popcorn and a drink. Kidsflix events are solely for children and young people living with a chronic illness, disability or in a disadvantaged situation. This is a FREE event for these children/young people and their immediate family, siblings and/or carers. If you wish to apply for tickets to this event, download the attached flyer and fax or email it to the Kidsflix Ticket Office (details on the attached flyer) by Friday 6th April. Tickets are limited.
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WESTERN AUSTRALIA CALENDAR APRIL to JUNE SOWA Calendar PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY LU
LUKE SIMPKINS MP Federal Member for Cowan,
APRIL 1st
Basketball
Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament
Perry Lakes
Basketball WA
2nd
Golf
Weekly lessons commence
Marangaroo Golf Course
Special Olympics Metro North
17
SOWA
Board Meeting
Sirona Capital, West Perth
SOWA
28th
Aquatics
Aquatics Challenge
Craigie Leisure Centre
Special Olympics Metro North
th
MAY ALPs
Athlete Leadership Program Training Session
St George’s College
SOWA
Multi sports
SOSA State of Origin Challenge
Adelaide
SOSA
th
Basketball
Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament
Perry Lakes
Basketball WA
th
Multi sports
Ribbon Day
Kwinana
SOWA
nd
ALPs
ALPs visit to Parliament House
Parliament House
SOWA
th
Multi sports
Ribbon Day
Geraldton
th
5
11-14
th
13 18 22 25
SOWA
JUNE st
1
Multi Sports
Ribbon Day
Bunbury
SOWA
Basketball
Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament
Perry lakes
Basketball WA
Soccer
Football Week
Gibney Reserve, Maylands
Football West
th
Aquatics
Time Trials
Craigie Leisure Centre
SO Perth Metro North
nd
Multi Sports
Ribbon Day
Joondalup
SOWA
th
10
th
th
5 – 10 20 22
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WESTERN AUSTRALIA COMMUNITY SPORTS-LINK PROGRAM SUPPORTING “KIDSPORT”
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au