Gladstone Club is a sports club located in Gladstone Regional, Australia and is a proud member of the Special Olympics network. The club is dedicated to providing a variety of sport, recreation, social, and health opportunities for individuals with an intellectual disability. Their mission is to help these individuals have fun, stay healthy, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage, and make lifelong friendships.
Special Olympics Australia, of which Gladstone Club is a part, is a global sporting community for individuals with an intellectual disability. Founded in 1976, Special Olympics Australia has been instrumental in transforming the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in the country. The organisation aims to counter the isolation and marginalisation faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities by offering them opportunities to participate in sports and achieve personal milestones.
While the Olympics and Paralympics focus on elite athletes, Special Olympics serves individuals with intellectual disabilities of all capabilities. The organisation offers a year-round multi-sports programme and provides robust competition pathways, including the World Games, which take place every four years in both summer and winter sports. Special Olympics Australia is striving to increase awareness and funding to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities have the same opportunities as their able-bodied counterparts.
An intellectual disability should not be seen as a limitation – it simply means that individuals may learn differently or require additional time and support to succeed. Special Olympics Australia aims to showcase the hidden talents of individuals with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport. While these individuals may face challenges in everyday tasks like reading or handling money, they possess unique abilities that can be nurtured through participation in sports.
Gladstone Club invites the community to support their mission by donating, volunteering, or participating in their programmes. With 850,000 people in Australia living with intellectual disabilities and only 3,000 currently involved with Special Olympics Australia, the club seeks to expand its reach and bring the joy of sport and community to as many individuals as possible.
By becoming a part of Special Olympics Clubs – Gladstone, community members can contribute towards creating a better world for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The club believes that through sports, individuals with intellectual disabilities can build self-confidence, showcase their abilities, and create lasting friendships.