Special Olympics Clubs - Illawarra is a sports club located in Kiama, Australia. As part of the Special Olympics network, the club provides a range of sport, recreation, social, and health opportunities for individuals with an intellectual disability. Their mission is to help these individuals have fun, maintain their health, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage, and make friends.
Special Olympics Australia is a part of the global Special Olympics movement, which was initially established by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of US President John F Kennedy. This movement has been transforming the lives of people with intellectual disabilities for almost 50 years. Today, Special Olympics supports over 5 million athletes in 177 countries.
In Australia, Special Olympics began in 1976 when many people with an intellectual disability were confined to institutions. Although this is no longer the norm, Special Olympics Illawarra continues to seek public support to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities are not excluded. By providing them with opportunities to participate in sports, the club aims to open the door to personal achievement, pride, and inclusion for marginalised and isolated members of the community.
With 850,000 people in Australia having intellectual disabilities and/or autism, and only 3,000 athletes participating with Special Olympics Australia, the club needs public support to increase its reach and spread the joy of sport and community. Individuals can take action by donating, volunteering, or participating as athletes.
Differentiating itself from the Olympics and Paralympics, Special Olympics is a year-round multi-sports programme specifically designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It provides a comprehensive competition pathway, including the World Games which is hosted every four years in both summer and winter sports. However, awareness and funding for Special Olympics are still not at the same level as the Olympics and Paralympics.
An intellectual disability refers to a condition where individuals might find it challenging to perform basic tasks such as reading, handling money, or using public transport. However, it does not imply that they cannot learn these tasks; they may require different learning methods or additional time and support. Special Olympics Illawarra recognises that individuals with intellectual disabilities may have hidden talents that can be uncovered through sports.
Overall, Special Olympics Clubs - Illawarra is dedicated to providing inclusive and empowering opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports and lead fulfilling lives.