Special Olympics Clubs - Moreton North is a sports club located in Brisbane, Australia. It is proud to be a part of the Special Olympics network, which provides a range of sport, recreation, social, and health opportunities for individuals with an intellectual disability.
Special Olympics is a global movement that has been transforming the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities for almost 50 years. It was pioneered by the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister to US President John F. Kennedy. Today, Special Olympics supports over 5 million athletes in 177 countries.
In Australia, Special Olympics began in 1976 when many individuals with an intellectual disability were shut in institutions. Though this is no longer the case in Australia, the club continues to seek public support to ensure that individuals with an intellectual disability are not shut out from society. By providing them opportunities to play sports, Special Olympics aims to open doors to personal achievement, pride, and inclusion for marginalised and isolated members of the community.
Special Olympics Australia is dedicated to increasing its reach and spreading the joy of sport and community. With only 3,000 athletes participating out of the 850,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, they rely on support from the public to achieve their goals.
Special Olympics is different from the Olympics and Paralympics in that it focuses on year-round multi-sport programmes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. These individuals have access to robust competition pathways, including the Special Olympics World Games which are hosted on a four-year cycle in both summer and winter sports. However, Special Olympics is still working to gain the same level of awareness and funding as the Olympics and Paralympics.
People with intellectual disabilities may find it difficult to perform what are considered basic tasks, such as reading, handling money, or using public transport. This does not mean that they cannot learn to do these things, but they may require more support and time to succeed. Special Olympics recognises that many individuals with intellectual disabilities have hidden talents that can be uncovered through sports.
Special Olympics Clubs - Moreton North provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in various sports. By joining the club, individuals can improve their physical health, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage, make friends, and most importantly, have fun.