Found to be the 100m sprint champion in her age group. She had never run competitively before, but through Special Olympics, she was given the opportunity to discover and showcase her talent. Special Olympics Clubs – Sydney West is a sports club in Sydney that is a part of the Special Olympics network.
The club aims to provide a range of sport, recreation, social, and health opportunities for individuals with an intellectual disability. Their focus is on enabling participants to have fun, maintain good health, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage, and make friends. Special Olympics Clubs – Sydney West is proud to be supported by Special Olympics Australia, an organisation that is part of a global sporting community for people with an intellectual disability.
Special Olympics has grown from a small camp into a global movement that has been transforming the lives of people with an intellectual disability for nearly 50 years. The organisation was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister to US President John F Kennedy. In Australia, Special Olympics began in 1976 when many individuals with an intellectual disability were isolated within institutions.
The mission of Special Olympics Clubs – Sydney West is to ensure that individuals with an intellectual disability are not shut out from society. Through the power of sport, the club seeks to open doors to personal achievement, pride, and inclusion for marginalised members of the community. With only 3,000 athletes participating with Special Olympics Australia, the club is actively seeking public support to increase their reach and spread the joy of sport and community to more individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Clubs – Sydney West is part of a global sporting community that believes in the power of sport to create a better world. While the Olympics and Paralympics focus on elite athletes, Special Olympics is a year-round multi-sports programme that caters to individuals with an intellectual disability of all capabilities. The organisation provides robust competition pathways, including the World Games hosted on a four-year cycle in both summer and winter sports.
It's important to note that people with an intellectual disability may learn differently or require additional time and support to succeed in what are considered basic tasks. Special Olympics Clubs – Sydney West aims to support participants in developing their skills and uncovering hidden talents through the power of sport. By providing opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports, Special Olympics Clubs – Sydney West aims to make ability visible and create a more inclusive society.
Special Olympics Clubs – Sydney West welcomes individuals with intellectual disabilities to join their sports programmes and experience the many benefits of participating in a supportive and inclusive community. Through sport, participants can have fun, improve their health, and forge lasting friendships.