SO, Special Olympics Western Australia Word from the West SOWA Dedication Patricia McLean 1 6 . 1 0 .5 8
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Special Olympics Western Australia recently lost a valuable member of our community. Patricia (Trish) McLean passed away on 23rd February. Trish was a dedicated and committed colleague, coach, friend, mentor and volunteer to Special Olympics Australia since 1997. Trish commenced her involvement with SOA in Newcastle, before moving to Western Australia in 2000. Her contribution to the Organisation was enormous and her passion for Softball and sport was unparalleled. Trish attended numerous local, state, national and international Games in various capacities;
Australian Head Nurse for the 2001 Trans Tasman Special Olympics games in New Zealand; Head Nurse for the 2003 Summer Special Olympics World Games in Ireland; DHead Delegate Junior S R ofC o a c h efor s the A w2006 a r dSpecial s N i Olympics gh t National games; The pinnacle of the Special Olympics calendar is to Australian Head Softball Coach for the 2007 Summer represent your state and country. Whilst only a minimal Special Olympics Summer World games held in Shanghai, percentage of our members get to attend games at this Assistant Delegate for softball for the 2011 Special scale, the inclusion of all members in the lead up to events is Olympics Summer World games held in Athens crucial in creating a unified organisation. Selection criteria for2011 Special Olympic ensurerole all members givenState the Since Trish playedevents an integral within theare SOWA opportunity to travel at some stage. E.g. State of Origin Board as State Sports Manager, sharing her knowledge and Games, Trans Tasman Asia in Pacific Games etc. experiences with the BoardChallenge, and assisting the continued growth and development of the Organisation, whilst always maintaining a focus on the athlete’s and sport. Dr. Justin Walawski, (Chair) and the Board of Special Olympics Western Australia wish to extend their deepest sympathies to her children, James, Jodi and Samantha, to Paul and the extended family. RIP Trish. You will be sadly missed but not forgotten.
February 2012 Pg 1.
SOWA Reports State Development Manager It is with great sadness that I bring this latest newsletter to you. Who would have ever envisaged that we would be losing one of our own under such sad circumstances. Trish McLean dedicated so much of her life to making a difference in so many other lives. At times like this, we need to embrace our family and friends and ensure we embed our own personal stamp in life. In the true spirit of SO, we will continue to plan for competition games for 2012. With exciting events available for all members of the Organisation, I would encourage you to consider challenging yourselves in your sport and embracing these opportunities. SOWA will be represented proudly this year, in the true fashion of fellowship, friendship and sportsmanship at the upcoming Victoria State Games in Softball; State of Origin Challenge in Adelaide, Trans Tasman Tournament in Cairns and SOA Junior National Games in Newcastle. “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened” Dr Seuss
Di Bruce SOWA News and Highlights Junior Bouncers Soccer Day SOWA commenced the “Junior Bouncers Soccer Program” recently. Children aged between 6 years to 12 years attended the Skills Day, as a prelude to the ongoing program. Sporting partner, Football West supported the day with Gordon Duus assisting Coach Stephanie Anile in driving the afternoon of grassroots skills and fun. The day was attended by 8 children, parents and carers as they battled the Perth heat. With a pathway in football currently being forged between SOWA and Football West, the future looks bright for our young players.
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Word from the West
February 2012
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Bulletin Board 2013 World Winter Games “Law Enforcement Torch Run” Athlete Runners Nominations
ALPS Program
Athlete nominations are now open for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Final Leg for the 2013 World Winter Games. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ten (10) Special Olympics athletes selected from across the globe to experience a unified Final Leg Run in Korea, meet and bond with other athletes as well as a hundred dedicated Law Enforcement Officers, all the while representing Special Olympics and raising incredible awareness and support for the 2013 World Winter Games.
The recent training camp for the 2012 Athlete Leadership Program was received with great success. With 10 athletes and 10 mentors involved this year, the focus on forming partnerships, setting goals, developing friendships and creating awareness of differences and similarities.
e There are some criteria’s for athletes applying that include: being 21 years of age or older eligible for an Australian passport commitment to travel for approximately 10 days from 21-31 January 2013 able to maintain a pace of 10minutes per 1.5kms or 4kms at a time, and have the ability to run a total of 8kms over 2 or more intervals during the course of a day Athletes will be required to deliver a speech/s as a part of their team responsibilities. ALP Ambassador training is an advantage, or could be arranged for success nominees.
The overnight stay highlight was the lifesaving skills session held in the UWA pool, supported by the Royal Life Saving Association. All mentors and mentees took to the water like fish and learnt basic skills in water safety. Thanks again to Richard, Luke, St George’s College and UWA for a phenomenal start to the ALPs year.
SOA applications are to be completed online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LETR_FinalLeg and will close 5pm on Monday 19 March 2012.
TRYathlon
Five of our young athletes are registered to take part in the 2012 Sanitarium Weet-bix TRYathlon, the world’s largest triathlon of its kind. Charity partners Bupa will be supporting our athletes to participate at the Perth event through the Bupa Heroes Program. Our Kalgoorlie and Perth athletes will take part in a swim, cycle and run that has been modified to allow youth with disabilities to participate. So SO, Come along and cheer on our young athletes on the day. Our young ambassadors will enjoy having a cheer squad to urge them on through the 3 disciplines. Sunday 25 March Langley Pk, Terrace Rd, East Perth 8.30am – 11.00am
A n n u a l G e n e r a l M the e t i n g
Tuesday 7 February, 2012 3.30pm to 4.30pm Raphael P Victoria Park NO COST Special Olympics Western Australia will be holding the Annual General or Meeting on; Bring a sibling a friend!! st
Saturday 31 March 2.00pm Superbowl, Dugdale St, Warwick All financial members of SOWA are invited to attend
For any enquiries, please contact Lesley Poole on 0416 465 870 or lesleypoole19@hotmail.com
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
Word from the West
February 2012
Bulletin Board
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Expressions of Interest
SOSA State of Origin Expressions of Interest
SO Junior National Games Special Olympics New South Wales, in conjunction with Special Olympics Australia, is hosting the 2012 Junior National Games in Newcastle. The event is for athletes, who are 8 to 15 years of age (up to 16 years of age as at 8th December, 2012) Special Olympics WA is sending a team of athletes to attend these games to participate in;
Special Olympics South Australia have extended a warm invitation for SOWA to attend the inaugural State of Origin Challenge. The friendly games are for athletes 8 years of age and over, participating in the following sports;
Aquatics Athletics Equestrian Gymnastics Football (Soccer)
SOWA will be sending a team over to Adelaide on Friday 11 th May and returning on Monday 14th May. The approximate cost for the event will be $830 which covers airfares, accommodation, meals, transport, sightseeing, uniform and support personnel to travel with the athletes.
Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball Football (Soccer). th
The team will travel from Perth on Thursday 6 December and return on Monday 10th December 2012.
For further enquiries, or to receive the relevant documentation, contact your coach or SOWA State Development Manager, Di Bruce on dib@specialolympics.com.au before Saturday 17th March, 2012.
The approximate cost for the event will be $2000. This will cover airfares, accommodation, meals, uniform and support personnel to travel with the athletes. Funding opportunities to assist players attending will be sourced, however not guaranteed. The Games will also provide an opportunity to try sports skills in Gymability, Cricket and Tennis. In addition to the sporting competition, the following sessions are planned for our Juniors; Healthy Athlete Program (Opening Eyes, FitFeet & Happy Smiles) Softball Batter-up Stations (Get in to the swing of Softball) Recreational pool session (Options for water safety/awareness program for athletes new to swimming) For further enquiries, or to receive the relevant documentation, contact your coach or SOWA State Development Manager, Di Bruce on dib@specialolympics.com.au before Saturday 17th March, 2012.
Expressions of Interest
T r a nenquiries, s T a sormtoareceive n T otheu relevant r n a mdocumentation, ent For further contact SOWA State Development Manager, Di Bruce on th In monitoring sports development and SOA2012. and SONZ dib@specialolympics.com.au before 15growth, January, identified that athletes participating in the certain sports had reduced pathways to advance to higher level competitions due to high participation numbers and quota allocations. This was how the Trans Tasman Tournaments were born in 2011. The games between the two nations are for athletes 15 years of age and over, participating in the following sports;
Basketball Athletics Tenpin Bowling Football (Soccer)
SOWA will be sending a team over to Cairns on Monday 8th October and returning on Friday 12th October. The approximate cost for the event will be $2000 which covers airfares, accommodation, meals, and support personnel to travel with the athletes. For further enquiries, or to receive the relevant documentation, contact your coach or SOWA State Development Manager, Di Bruce on dib@specialolympics.com.au before Saturday 17th March, 2012.
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au
2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WESTERN AUSTRALIA CALENDAR MARCH to MAY SOWA Calendar PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY LU
LUKE SIMPKINS MP Federal Member for Cowan,
MARCH rd
3 &4
th
Tenpin Bowling
WADSA State Championships
Super Bowl Warwick
WADSA
20
Soccer
Junior Bouncers fortnightly training continues
Raphael Park, Victoria Park
SOWA
21st
Aquatics
Time Trials
Craigie Leisure Centre
Special Olympics Metro North
Athletics
WADSA Track & Field Championships
Coker Park, Cannington
WADSA
th
TRYathlon
Sanitarium TRYathlon
Langley Park
Special Olympics Australia
30
th
Basketball
Weekly training commences
Joondalup Arena
Special Olympics Metro North
31st
AGM
SOWA Annual General Meeting
Super Bowl , Warwick @ 2pm
SOWA
th
th
24 & 25
th
25
APRIL 1st
Basketball
Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament
Perry Lakes
Basketball WA
1st
Gymnastics
Skills Day
PCYC Claremont
Special Olympics Metro North
2nd
Golf
Weekly lessons commence
Marangaroo Golf Course
Special Olympics Metro North
28th
Aquatics
Aquatics Challenge
Craigie Leisure Centre
Special Olympics Metro North
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
th
Multi sports
Ribbon Day
Geraldton
SOWA
th
5
11-14 13 18 25
th
Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au