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AUSTRALIA WINS BID TO HOST

2013 ASIA PACIFIC GAMES

D S R C o a c h e s A w a r d s N i g h t The pinnacle of the Special Olympics calendar is to represent your state and country. Whilst only a minimal percentage of our members get to attend games at this scale, 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.

SOWA Reports

SOWA News and Highlights

G u y L e e c h

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.

The Special Olympics Australia executive team was thrilled to

invite Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-

General of the Commonwealth of Australia to officially reveal that

Australia will host the inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific

Games in 2013!

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:

- 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.

It is also entirely appropriate that a great sporting nation like

Australia should be leading the way in the Asia Pacific region and

we hope that the legacy of these Games will be consistent and

regular competition for people with an intellectual disability across

the 25 countries in the region.

.

Special Olympics Western March 2012

SO,

Word from the West Pg. 1

S t a t e D e v e l o p m e n t M a n a g e r 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.

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.

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

Top Top: Governor General

Quentin Bryce with athletes

B Left: SOA staff and

athletes celebrating the announcement

Ch Athlete Chris Minutello with Iron Man, Guy Leech

annou

Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au

SOWA News & Highlights

B u p a T R Y a t h l o n

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.

T r a i l e r L a u n c h

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!!!)

Tuesday 7th February, 2012

3.30pm to 4.30pm Raphael P Victoria Park

NO COST Bring a sibling or a friend!!

W A D S A S t a t e T r a c k & F i e l d

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.

Word from the West March 2012 Pg. 2

C o m m u n i t y S p o r t s - L i n k P r o g r a m

With dates and venues finalised for this year’s Ribbon and

Skills Days, booklets will be emailed to schools in due

course. However, if you wish to preview the booklet,

email me at dib@specialolympics.com.au for a copy.

Multi Sport Ribbon Day - 18th

May – Kwinana

Multi Sport Ribbon Day -25th

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

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

Members Page SOWA 2011 Highlights

E l a i n e T a y l o r S O W A S t a t e S p o r t s M a n a g e r

Word from the West March 2012 Pg. 3

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.

At the 2012 Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 31st

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

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.

Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au

Bulletin Board

T M A S p o r t s L u n c h

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

S p e c i a l O l y m p i c s J u n i o r B a s k e t b a l l P r o g r a m

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.

Word from the West March 2012 Pg. 4

Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au

SOWA Calendar

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

APRIL

1st Basketball Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament

Perry Lakes Basketball WA

2nd Golf Weekly lessons commence Marangaroo Golf Course Special Olympics Metro North

17th

SOWA Board Meeting Sirona Capital, West Perth SOWA

28th Aquatics Aquatics Challenge Craigie Leisure Centre Special Olympics Metro North

MAY

5th

ALPs Athlete Leadership Program Training Session

St George’s College SOWA

11-14th

Multi sports SOSA State of Origin Challenge

Adelaide SOSA

13th

Basketball Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament

Perry Lakes Basketball WA

18th

Multi sports Ribbon Day Kwinana SOWA

22nd

ALPs ALPs visit to Parliament House Parliament House SOWA

25th

Multi sports Ribbon Day Geraldton SOWA

JUNE

1st

Multi Sports Ribbon Day Bunbury SOWA

10th

Basketball Everybody’s Game Basketball Tournament

Perry lakes Basketball WA

5th

– 10th

Soccer Football Week Gibney Reserve, Maylands Football West

20th

Aquatics Time Trials Craigie Leisure Centre SO Perth Metro North

22nd

Multi Sports Ribbon Day Joondalup SOWA

2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WESTERN AUSTRALIA CALENDAR

JAN APRIL to JUNE

LU LUKE SIMPKINS MP Federal

Member for Cowan,

Telephone (08) 9408 1098 Mobile: 0410 866 532 Email: dib@specialolympics.com.au

2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WESTERN AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY SPORTS-LINK PROGRAM SUPPORTING

“KIDSPORT”

SPO