Team Australia 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens, Greece
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Representing Australia at the World Games changed my life. I got a chance to prove my skills and show my best. Please support the 2011 Aussie team so they can wear the green and gold and do their personal best. Douglas, 2007 World Games Basketball Gold Medalist
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Meet Team Australia On 25 June 2011, 131 Australian athletes with an intellectual disability will march into the stadium in Athens to represent our country at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Every four years Special Olympics Australia is proud to provide an opportunity for our athletes to enjoy the thrill of international competition at the World Summer Games.
For the next week, they will proudly wear their green and gold uniform as they compete in 11 sports, alongside 7,500 competitors from 185 countries.
But on a daily basis our core purpose is to provide regular sports participation and competition to as many athletes with an intellectual disability as we can through our network of dedicated volunteers and local clubs.
Next year’s event will be the largest sporting event in the world in 2011 and this mass celebration of achievement will be on a scale as grand as the Olympic Games and in the home of the Olympic movement. Our athletes have trained regularly and worked hard to reach the pinnacle of our competition ladder, and now they are preparing for the event with their volunteer coaches. At the same time they are fundraising to get to the Games as the actual cost to participate is $10,000 per athlete. That means we need to raise $1.3 million to get our team to Athens. As a not-for-profit organisation, supporting over 5,000 athletes with an intellectual disability across Australia, we’re asking you to show your generosity by donating to an athlete, a sports team or the entire Australian squad.
While some athletes strive to win medals, others enjoy the chance to get active, have fun, make friends and feel part of a family. Whatever their motivation, we encourage all athletes to feel proud of themselves in a world where they face challenges. People with an intellectual disability are often ridiculed, misunderstood, isolated or simply ignored. Yet, with the understanding and support of Special Olympics they reveal their talents and discover new skills which allows them to improve their health and fitness, develop self-confidence and grow socially. We hope you will learn more about Special Olympics, be inspired by our athletes and best of all, get involved!
Your assistance will allow the Australian Special Olympics team to feel proud and achieve their personal best on the world stage.
For more information or to make a donation go to: www.specialolympics.com.au
Excited Australian athletes prepare to enter the stadium for the 2007 World Games. Photo by Dale Watson.
Games History
Soon after the Special Olympics movement was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the 1960s she recognised the need for a platform to reach the larger public and mobilise people of influence. Although Special Olympics was steadily changing the lives of people with an intellectual disability in local communities through year-round training, Eunice wanted to change public opinion – fast! So, the World Games were born with the first international competition held in Chicago in 1968. In her Opening Ceremony address Mrs Shriver declared, ‘The Chicago Special Olympics prove a very fundamental fact, that exceptional people – people with an intellectual disability – can be exceptional athletes. Through sports they can realise their potential for growth.’ Next year the World Games in Athens will be a huge-scale celebration of the achievements of Special Olympics athletes. The Australian team will do our nation proud and we invite you to be part of the journey by supporting the team and following their progress during the Games at:
www.specialolympics.com.au
Brenton Jackson-Dimond Echuca-Campaspe, VIC I am looking forward to doing my best.
Cameron Fraser Melbourne West, VIC I am going to enjoy watching the half marathon in Greece.
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Ella Pardy Perth, WA I feel proud to be representing Australia and my family.
Glenn Patterson Northern, TAS I am excited to travel and meet people from around the world.
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Jim Aarsse Sunshine Coast, QLD I am excited to compete at world level and representing Australia.
Kai Armstrong Gold Coast, QLD I will be doing what I love in Athens – run!
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Katie Wheeldon Northern, TAS I love making friends, having fun and playing lots of sports.
Kimberley Langton Gympie, QLD I am excited about the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
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Kristin Mercer Sydney South, NSW I am thrilled to compete at my third World Games.
Matthew Pascoe Redcliffe, QLD I will enjoy meeting and competing with new people.
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Michelle Cotter Gympie, QLD I will enjoy meeting new people and learning about other cultures.
Nicole Groth Brisbane North, QLD I will make Australia proud by doing my best!
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Paul Gilbert Perth, WA I like Special Olympics because it makes me feel I belong somewhere.
Taylor Doyle Sydney West, NSW I want to compete against the world and run on the Olympic Track!
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Vincent Hall North West, TAS I feel really awesome. I can’t wait to be in Athens!
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Dylan Coop Perth, WA I am looking forward to meeting new friends.
Ethan Chan Redcliffe QLD I am learning about Greece and its sights.
Garrick Snell Perth, WA I will compete like my sporting hero Kieran Perkins.
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Greg Black Perth, WA I am excited to be able to meet people from other parts of the world.
Josh Timbs Southern, TAS I will do my best. I can’t wait to be in Greece!
Keiran Corry Hunter Valley, NSW I am looking forward to meeting people from different countries.
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Kieran Johnson-Vickers Melb. Inner East, VIC I am looking forward to swimming for Australia.
Lucinda Giblin Southern, TAS I am excited to be going to another country.
Megan Newall Sydney South, NSW I am glad Special Olympics is giving me a chance to compete.
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Sharlene Gardiner Sunshine Coast, QLD I am excited to compete where the Olympics started.
Taylor Corry Hunter Valley, NSW I will break more records.
Tim Beattie Northern, TAS I will compete to the best of my ability. I’m excited to be part of the team.
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Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Special Olympics Athletes’ Oath
Allister Peek Canberra ACT I am excited to meet people from other countries.
Alyse Saxby Hunter Valley, NSW I look forward to seeing the water and hopefully the islands!
Belinda Hill Gold Coast, QLD I look forward to representing my country and to hopefully win.
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Bronwyn Ibbotson Canberra, ACT I am excited to sail in boats I haven’t sailed in before!
Michael Leydon Canberra, ACT I look forward to watching, teaching, and cheering my athletes!
Robert Hamilton Hunter Valley, NSW I look forward to the fellowship in our Aussie sail team.
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Sonja Gilmore Gold Coast, QLD I am honoured to compete at my third World Games.
Stephen Ponder Canberra, ACT I look forward to competing against other countries.
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Adrian Visscher Brisbane West, QLD I am looking forward to winning!
Bradley Southwell Sydney South, NSW I am looking forward to walking out with the team at the Opening Ceremony.
Brenton Heslehurst Brisbane North, QLD I am excited about the trip and playing for my country.
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Chris Wright Gold Coast, QLD I am pleased to be going to Greece to play football for Australia.
Elijah Bond Gympie, QLD I am excited to play the game I love in international competition.
Jason Blackadder Roselands, NSW I am going to enjoy my time and play good football for Australia.
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Marcello Virgona Dandenong Valley, VIC I am looking forward to the World Games.
Michael Mills Brisbane North, QLD I will enjoy playing football.
Nathan West Brisbane West, QLD I will catch up with old friends and hopefully bring home a medal!
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Owen Nicolson Blue Mountains, NSW I am excited to visit another country.
Peter Zapantis Dandenong Valley, VIC I look forward to travelling. I have never been outside Australia.
Simon Pollock Dandenong Valley, VIC I look forward to working with different coaches and players.
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Todd Schaefer Gold Coast, QLD I like Special Olympics because it keeps me fit and builds confidence.
Vincenzo Scipione Dandenong Valley, VIC I will be proud to have my family watching me in Athens.
Chris Rane Gold Coast, QLD I look forward to making my family proud and playing well.
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Christian Furlan Ovens & Murray, VIC I will play my best in Athens for my coach and my country.
Faron Brockie Ovens & Murray, VIC I have been training hard to do well at the World Games.
James Duncan Brisbane North, QLD I have trained regularly to be fit to represent Australia.
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Lachlan Croft Ovens & Murray, VIC I am excited about playing for Australia like my hero Tim Cahill.
Luke Kennedy Hunter Valley, NSW I look forward to travelling, exploring, having fun!
Marcel Vermulst Dandenong Valley, VIC I look forward to going on a plane and visiting another country.
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Maxwell Wayte New England, NSW I am a fan of the Socceroos. Now I can represent my country too.
Michael Barker Blue Mountains, NSW I look forward playing football in Athens with the Australian team.
Shaun McKee Redcliffe, QLD I feel a sense of achievement being on the team.
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Ben Tuddenham Ballarat, VIC I look forward to seeing the skill our team will bring to the Games.
Bernadette Barden Central West, NSW I feel excited about going to Greece and playing basketball.
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Matt Tuddenham Ballarat, VIC I am happy to be on the Australian team with my brother, Ben.
Eliza Barden Central West, NSW I enjoy playing against other countries.
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Bradley Kinross Adelaide, SA I look forward to playing against other countries and making new friends.
Jasmine Crewdson Adelaide, SA I feel very happy. This means a lot to me and I will do my best.
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Wayne Kinross Adelaide, SA I like Special Olympics because it makes me feel positive in life.
Jennifer Ensor Melbourne Southern, VIC I can’t wait to compete and I will have my 30th birthday in Greece!
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Brent Morris Sunshine Coast, QLD I will do my best and represent my country with pride and respect.
Lisa Keen Sydney South, NSW I look forward to getting to know my team and playing for my country.
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James Maxell Adelaide, SA I look forward to seeing where the first Olympics were held.
Meagan Moore Dandenong Valley, VIC I am looking forward to playing as a team.
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John Wilson Melb. Eastern Ranges, VIC I look forward to meeting new friends and playing sport.
Nicole Harris Sydney South, NSW I am excited about staying in the athlete’s village and the Greek scenery.
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Keelan Crawford Central West, NSW I am excited to spend an enjoyable time with the team.
Rebecca Sargeant Adelaide, SA I am very proud to be representing Special Olympics Australia.
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Belinda Hancock Canberra, ACT I am honoured to be part of the team.
Daniel Tsatsaronis Adelaide, SA I look forward to having fun, making friends and doing my best.
Gerrelle King Hunter Valley, NSW I look forward to travelling and competing at a world level.
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Krystal Brown Riverland, SA I am really, really looking forward to the World Games.
Kylie Trevarthen Barwon, VIC I have never been overseas before so I am excited about the Games.
Lyn Tanner Northern, TAS I am excited to compete in a new country and show my skills.
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Matthew Hunter Sydney North, NSW I look forward to developing my bowling skills further.
Raymond Scott Melb. Eastern Ranges, VIC I am excited about bowling for my country and going overseas.
Stephen O’May Gympie, QLD I look forward to competing because this is my first World Games.
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Steven Marshall South Coast, NSW I am very excited and I hope to do well. I’d like a gold medal!
Vaughan Nilsson Brisbane North, QLD I know now that I can achieve anything that I set myself to do!
Viliamu Tumaalii Macarthur, NSW I am excited to compete in my first World Games.
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Alexander Hayes Sydney South, NSW I am excited to represent Australia and experience a different culture.
You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory: The right to play on any playing field? You have earned it. The right to study in any school? You have earned it. The right to hold a job? You have earned it. The right to be anyone’s neighbor? You have earned it. The days of separation and segregation are over! Eunice Kennedy Shriver in her opening speech at the international games in 1987
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l Kate Wilson Sunshine Coast, QLD I look forward to playing good golf and spending time with other athletes.
Matthew Calkin Perth, WA I am excited to experience the culture and food of Athens.
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Steven Robson Central Coast, NSW I am excited to compete against athletes from different countries.
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Amanda Patterson Redcliffe, QLD I will be trying to improve my golf and I am just happy to be on the team.
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Craig Read Tweed, NSW Special Olympics has given me self-belief. I am honoured to be on the team.
Matthew Curley Redcliffe, QLD I am excited about being on the team and trying Greek food!
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Ashley Kuhle Roselands, NSW I look forward to competing at world level in front of my family.
Brett McClymont Brisbane North, QLD I will enjoy the Opening Ceremony and I’ll have fun competing.
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Cassy Geffke Barwon, VIC I look forward to doing my best in Athens.
Chris Bunton Roselands, NSW I will do my best and represent Australia with honour and pride.
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Joshua Gray Sydney North, NSW I am proud to represent Australia. I love that we are going to Greece.
Kim Jensen Brisbane North, QLD I am going to Greece!!!
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Rebecca Preston Macarthur, NSW I am so excited that I will celebrate my birthday at the World Games!
Rhianna Sinclair Roselands, NSW I get to represent my country and make people proud! I am so excited!
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Stephanie Alderton Hunter Valley, NSW I am excited to be on the team. I hope to learn the culture.
Tracie Sammut Sydney South, NSW This is a dream! I will be a good ambassador for people with disabilities.
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Andrew Robbins Dandenong Valley, VIC I look forward to getting to know my teammates and representing my country!
Ian Johns Melb. Inner East, VIC I am happy that I can compete against people from around the world.
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Melissa Lee Gold Coast, QLD I look forward to travelling outside Australia for my first time.
Natalie Jansen Canberra, ACT I am very excited to be part of the World Games team!
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Andrew Mujunen Upper Nth Shore, NSW I look forward to wearing the green and gold and playing softball.
Bronwyn Russell Perth, WA I am excited to compete in softball in the home of the Olympics.
Cameron Turner Melbourne Southern, VIC I am excited to represent Australia in softball and experience Greek culture.
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Craig Hansen Southern, TAS I am honoured to be on the team and I believe I can achieve my best.
Garry Burnside Southern, TAS I am proud that we get a fair go to experience international competition.
Harrison Langford Upper Nth Shore, NSW I am excited about going to the other side of the world to compete.
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Mel Eustace Upper Nth Shore, NSW I am proud that I will be able to wear the green and gold.
Paul McKendry Perth, WA I will have fun, try my best and hopefully win gold!
Peter Forsythe Melbourne Southern, VIC I am excited to see the crowd when we march into the stadium.
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Steven White Melbourne Southern, VIC I look forward to walking into the stadium at the Opening Ceremony.
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Kelly Wren Sydney South, NSW I am excited to compete in 2011. My first World Games was in 1999.
l Chloe Johnston Gold Coast, QLD I am on the team because Special Olympics has given me confidence.
Jodie Greenwood Sydney South, NSW I am excited to be on the team and hope to enjoy Greek hospitality.
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Michael Wren Sydney South, NSW I look forward to playing new opponents from other countries.
Mitchell James Redcliffe, QLD I want to play good tennis like my hero Lleyton Hewitt
Kelly Binns Northern, TAS I am excited about competing at the highest level.
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Renee Belleggia Barwon, VIC I am excited to represent Australia and see the home of the Olympics.
William Caldwell Dandenong Valley, VIC I am looking forward to new people and new experiences.
Neil Forster Brisbane North, QLD I won’t be a person with a disability. I will be an athlete and feel like a star.
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Nick Lorenz Sydney North, NSW I am proud to be part of a team of winners even if we don’t get a medal!
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Team Officials
The Australian team will be assisted by 40 team officials who have volunteered their time to encourage and support athletes to achieve their personal best in Greece. Christopher Bourke Melbourne Southern, VIC I am proud to be part of the team and excited to see new things!
l Jaydan Williams Kalgoorlie, WA It means a lot to me to be selected for the softball team.
l Russell Nelligan Perth, WA I am excited about being on the team and trying Greek food!
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Special Olympics Australia is an outstanding sporting movement that embraces extraordinary human qualities. I am very proud of this year-round celebration, and in particular, of how it nurtures talent, skill, energy and verve in a safe and supportive space. Special Olympics allows people with an intellectual disability to unlock and explore their potential through the experience of sport.
Australian Capital Territory Terry Peek, Head Coach, Sailing New South Wales Peter Hedges, Head Coach, Aquatics Mary Greig, Head Coach, Athletics Carmen Skidmore, Head Coach, Basketball (Men) Fran Eustace, Head Coach, Softball Eddie Meechan, Head Coach, Football (7-a-side) Ellena Morris, Assistant Coach, Aquatics Paul Phelan, Assistant Coach, Football (7-a-side) Kevin Borger, Assistant Coach, Golf Kenn Brown, Team Support, Athletics Leanne Secomb, Team Support, Basketball (Women) Kelly Milroy, Team Support, Gymnastics Arran Saunders, Team Support, Sport Denise Sorraine, Team Support, Accommodation Queensland Anna-Louise Kassulke, Head of Delegation Suzy Chainey, Assistant Head of Delegation Margaret Robertson, Head Coach, Basketball (Women) Jeff Stewart, Head Coach, Bocce Shirley Johnston, Head Coach, Bowling Theiry Visscher, Head Coach, Football (11-a-side) Jeremy Smith, Head Coach, Golf Neil Heyme, Head Coach, Tennis Jill Aitken, Assistant Coach, Bowling Daphne Bale, Assistant Coach, Tennis Bevan Heslehurst, Assistant Coach, Football (11-a-side) Robert Thompson, Assistant Coach, Football (11-a-side) Natalie Upshall, Assistant Coach, Gymnastics Chris Ruston, Assistant Coach, Sailing Annette Dundas, Medical Personnel Susan Bennett-Yeo, Team Support, Accommodation Jennifer Gould, Team Support, Sport South Australia Leanne Vanderhoek, Assistant Coach, Aquatics Lisa Hester, Team Support, Tennis
It also challenges negative beliefs that can surround people with a disability and stop them from achieving their personal best.
Tasmania Leigh Oswin, Head Coach, Gymnastics Vicki Forsyth, Assistant Coach, Athletics
Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Patron, Special Olympics Australia
Victoria David Milne, Assistant Coach, Basketball (Men) Robert Bruin, Assistant Coach, Softball Elizabeth Crouch, Medical Personnel Alicia McGain, Team Support, Athletics
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Western Australia Brooke Galupo, Assistant Coach, Softball
Team Australia Athletes New South Wales
Alexander Hayes, Golf Alyse Saxby, Sailing Andrew Mujunen, Softball Ashley Kuhle, Gymnastics Bernadette Barden, Basketball Bradley Southwell, Football Chris Bunton, Gymnastics Craig Read, Golf Eliza Barden, Basketball Gerrelle King, Bowling Harrison Langford, Softball Jason Blackadder, Football Jodie Greenwood, Tennis Joshua Gray, Gymnastics Keelan Crawford, Basketball Keiran Corry, Aquatics Kelly Wren, Tennis Kristin Mercer, Athletics Lisa Keen, Basketball Luke Kennedy, Football Matthew Hunter, Bowling Maxwell Wayte, Football Megan Newell, Aquatics Melissa Eustace, Softball Michael Barker, Football Michael Wren, Tennis Michael Leydon, Sailing Nick Lorenz, Tennis Nicole Harris, Basketball Owen Nicolson, Football Rebecca Preston, Gymnastics Rhianna Sinclair, Gymnastics Robert Hamilton, Sailing Stephanie Alderton, Gymnastics Steven Marshall, Bowling Steven Robson, Golf Taylor Corry, Aquatics Taylor Doyle, Athletics Tracie Sammut, Gymnastics Viliamu Tumaalii, Bowling
South Australia
Bradley Kinross, Basketball Daniel Tsatsaronis, Bowling James Maxwell, Basketball Jasmine Crewdson, Basketball Krystal Brown, Bowling Rebecca Sargeant, Basketball Wayne Kinross, Basketball
Queensland
Adrian Visscher, Football Amanda Patterson, Golf Belinda Hill, Sailing Brent Morris, Basketball Brenton Heslehurst, Football Brett McClymont, Gymnastics Chloe Johnston, Tennis Chris Rane, Football Christopher Wright, Football Elijah Bond, Football Ethan Chan, Aquatics James Duncan, Football Jim Aarsse, Athletics Kai Armstrong, Athletics Kathryn Wilson, Golf Kim Jensen, Gymnastics Kimberley Langton, Athletics Matthew Curley, Golf Matthew Pascoe, Athletics Melissa Lee, Bocce Michael Mills, Football Michelle Cotter, Athletics Mitchell James, Tennis Nathan West, Football Neil Forster, Tennis Nicole Groth, Athletics Sharlene Gardiner, Aquatics Shaun McKee, Football Sonja Gilmore, Sailing Stephen O’May, Bowling Todd Schaefer, Football Vaughan Nilsson, Bowling
Western Australia
Bronwyn Russell, Softball Dylan Coop, Aquatics Ella Pardy, Athletics Garrick Snell, Aquatics Gregory Black, Aquatics Jaydan Williams, Softball Matthew Calkin, Golf Paul McKendry, Softball Paul Gilbert, Athletics Russel Nelligan, Softball
Victoria
Andrew Robbins, Bocce Ben Tuddenham, Basketball Brenton Jackson-Dimond, Athletics Cameron Fraser, Athletics Cameron Turner, Softball Cassy Geffke, Gymnastics Christian Furlan, Football Christopher Bourke, Softball Faron Brockie, Football Ian Johns, Bocce Jennifer Ensor, Basketball John Wilson, Basketball Kieran Johnson-Vickers, Aquatics Kylie Trevarthen, Bowling Lachlan Croft, Football Marcel Vermulst, Football Marcello Virgona, Football Matt Tuddenham, Basketball Meagan Moore, Basketball Peter Forsythe, Softball Peter Zapantis, Football Raymond Scott, Bowling Renee Belleggia, Tennis Simon Pollock, Football Steven White, Softball Vincenzo Scipione, Football William Caldwell, Tennis
Australian Capital Territory Allister Peek, Sailing Belinda Hancock, Bowling Bronwyn Ibbotson, Sailing Natalie Jansen, Bocce Stephen Ponder, Sailing
Tasmania
Timothy Beattie, Aquatics Kelly Binns, Tennis Glenn Patterson, Athletics Lyn Tanner, Bowling Katie Wheeldon, Athletics Garry Burnside, Softball Lucinda Giblin, Aquatics Craig Hansen, Softball Josh Timbs, Aquatics Vincent Hall, Athletics
Special Olympics Australia, PO Box 62, Concord West NSW 2138, (02) 8116 9833 info@specialolympics.com.au, ABN 28 050 738 728, www.specialolympics.com.au For more information about sponsorship opportunities for the World Games team please contact: Alex McNeilly, (02) 8116 9833, alexm@specialolympics.com.au