The Come and Try/Information session held at Dunn & Lewis Centre, Ulladulla for Special Olympics Australia, South Coast Club on Sunday 26 February gained 16 new participants to the program. The event also saw 12 other SO athletes plus volunteers and carers descend on the Centre.
Special Olympics South Coast is just a tiny club in the big wheel of Special Olympics Australia and SO International, a sporting organisation for people with intellectual disability.
Kathy Godwin, Chair of South Coast Special Olympics explained to the athletes, parents and carers, that the club (and Special O) offers a purpose in engaging in a sport… to be the best you can be, at your own level; to have fun; and to stay healthy!
Twelve of the already registered athletes were also in attendance to welcome the newcomers and show them what a fun family the club is and the possibilities open to athletes who join Special O South Coast.
Liz Russell, a volunteer with SO, was instrumental in the organisation and running of this highly successful day. She not only developed all the promotional material, but also contacted support agencies, liaised with donors and most importantly! (with a solid band of volunteers) ran the free sausage sizzle!!!
IGA donated sausages, bread and serviettes on the day. Karlee, of the Dunn & Lewis Foundation, enabled SO South Coast to take over most of the alley for the morning!!
Liz commented that “This is all worth it – just look at the faces on the people who are here. This is why I’m involved!”.
“It was so good telling other people about all the things we have done,” said Amy Foot, long-time athlete with SO South Coast, showing off all her medals and ribbons won over many years.
Amy's mother added “This is Amy’s family, she plays sport but she is accepted for who she is, it’s so wonderful and heart-warming.”
Jason Russell, another SO athlete, said “I got two medals and I have only been in SO for a year. I love trying my best and competing against other people who play like I do.” Mother of Zen (aged 12), who needs assistive technology to communicate: “This is the first time since COVID that I have seen Zen so happy and excited. He has just loved playing and watching and being part of this group. Everyone was so accepting.”