Australia INVESTING IN THE ANNUAL NEXT GENERATION REPORT OF CHAMPIONS 2014 SPECIAL OLYMPICS AUSTRALIA CONTENTS ABOUT US 03 About Us Through a network of dedicated volunteers, 04 Joy! 06 Messages Special Olympics Australia brings the benefits 08 2014 Highlights of weekly sports training, coaching and competition 09 2015 Focus to people with an intellectual disability. 10 Athletes 12 Spotlight on National Games 16 Membership 18 Stakeholders 20 Excellence 22 Around Australia Global Movement, Local Impact The Facts 24 Working Together Special Olympics Australia is part of a global movement • People with an intellectual disability are 26 Financial Summary that began in the 1960s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver the largest disability population in the world.* 27 Team Australia invited 75 children with an intellectual disability to play • Over 500,000 Australians have an sport in her backyard. intellectual disability.** This Annual Report Today, Special Olympics support 4.4 million athletes • Every two hours an Australian child is This Annual Report covers the activities of Special in over 170 countries. diagnosed with an intellectual disability.*** Olympics Australia from 1 January - 31 December 2014. Charitable Status Special Olympics Inc. is the international governing Impact body of the Special Olympics movement, which Special Olympics Australia is a national charity One of the many barriers to success that people establishes all official policies and owns the registered with tax-exempt and deductible gift-recipient with an intellectual disability face is a negative trademarks to the Special Olympics name, logo and status granted by the Australian Tax Office. perception of what they can achieve. Our logo other intellectual property. CFN: 14503 ABN: 28 050 738 728 tells the story of what is possible when they join the Special Olympics community. Contact Special Olympics Australia is the accredited program of Special Olympics Inc. in Australia with accredited Special Olympics Australia clubs across the country, operating under one ABN The Special Olympics ‘globe of PO Box 6346, Alexandria NSW 2015 and led by one Board of Directors. 1300 225 762, [email protected] figures’ represents an international community. Connect The Olympic Movement The figure with low arms is a person www.specialolympics.com.au @SOAustralia The Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics with an intellectual disability before are built on the belief that sport has the power Special Olympics when life feels SpecialOlympicsAustralia @SOAustralia to change lives. challenging. SpecOAustralia The figure with outstretched arms An online version of this Annual Report with The Olympics host international sports competitions is an athlete exploring their ability links to additional content is available at for elite athletes. with Special Olympics. www.specialolympics.com.au The Paralympics host international sports competitions The figure with arms raised in joy is for elite athletes with a disability, mainly physical. an athlete that has discovered their Cover: Queensland athletes prepare for the ability and is sharing it with family, friends and fans. Special Olympics Australia National Games 2014. Special Olympics host international sports competitions Photo: News Corp Australia 20 for athletes with an intellectual disability. We are also a 20 Back: Victorian athlete, Timothy Chaplin in grassroots movement that provides year-round sports 14 action at the Special Olympics Australia * World Health Organisation (WHO), ** The Australian Institute of 14 National Games 2014. Photo: Vincent Yan Eunice Kennedy Shriver founder of the global Special Olympics training, coaching and competition. Health and Welfare, 2008, *** Disability Expectations, PwC 2011. 2 movement. Photo: Special Olympics Inc. 3 SPECIAL OLYMPICS AUSTRALIA JOY! One athlete from each of our official sports was asked “What do you like about being part of Special Olympics Australia?” and this is what they said. “It has helped me to feel good about what “You can be competitive even if you have “I can be a great table tennis player.” I can do.” Ethan, Aquatics a disability.” Brandyn, Football Ashley, Table Tennis “I was a very lost soul without sport. Now I “I can compete without being judged.” “Without it I would never have the have a full-time job and people who believe Kate, Golf chance to represent my country.” in me.” Matthew, Athletics Michael, Tennis “After 20 years my dream has come true. “I have opportunities that I never thought I I am going to represent Australia.” “I really love it and I’m the only person would have. I can play the sport that I love Martin, Gymnastics in my family to represent Australia. and go as far as I can.” Jessica, Basketball That’s cool!” Josie, Tenpin Bowling “It makes me feel confident and proud “It has given me many new friends, including and I hope one day it will help me get a “I really like playing sport and Special a husband and now we have a baby.” good job, just like my sister.” Olympics Australia gives me a chance Emma, Bocce Laura, Netball to do this with my friends and it helps me keep fit too." Craig, Wintersports “It gets me fired up to do my best.” “It’s created a whole new world for me.” Edward, Cricket Alyse, Sailing “It’s given me the chance to wear the green “It gives me an opportunity to travel 20 and gold for Australia.” Andrew, Equestrian and represent my state and country.” 20 14 Dylan, Softball 14 4 Sandy Freeman (NSW). Photo: Geoff Clark. 5 SPECIAL OLYMPICS AUSTRALIA From the CEO My deep respect and admiration goes than 850,000 children. It will allow out to all the parents, volunteers and the sports to boost their participation My first year as CEO was a game of families whose dedication and passion numbers and is a significant two very different halves. We started ensured that Special Olympics got endorsement of the importance of out as underdogs, however once we started in Australia nearly 40 years community sport to the Government. consulted with our coaches, reviewed ago and who ensure it will continue. our game plan and put our training into Other highlights in 2013-14 MESSAGES practice, we finished as a winning team. But most of all, thank you to the have included: athletes whose incredible achievements The impact of the 2013 Special and contagious joy inspire us. Whether Community Coaching General Principles Olympics Asia Pacific Games debt you are an existing athlete or a future – a free online training course that could have sidelined us and it took champion, Special Olympics Australia provides coaches with the basic skills a lot of stamina, commitment and is here for you and I look forward to they need. Welcome to our 2014 Annual Report. a future focus to recover from working with you to create even more this setback. opportunities for you to achieve your Grants programs – a number of national personal best, in sport and in life. grant programs were delivered to Without change, our grassroots improve the participation of people From the Chairman Let’s not forget that there are almost sports program for people with an Nicola Stokes from under-represented groups. 1,000 athletes with an intellectual intellectual disability would have been Chief Executive Officer No-one can pretend that 2014 was disability, plus their families and friends, in jeopardy. So, we forged ahead to anything but a very challenging year Special Olympics Australia The ASC also continues to pursue who enjoyed the thrill of our largest ensure that athletes would not miss success on the world stage – both in for the Special Olympics Australia National Games ever in 2014. out on opportunities to experience the community. Olympic and non-Olympic sports – to joy of sport and competition. Thanks deliver Australians the exceptional One of the stories that came out of to a collaborative effort from everyone Australia performances they crave. The realisation of the debt resulting those Games that has stuck in my mind involved we solved the problems from the 2013 Special Olympics Asia is the story of Jarrod from Queensland using the combined resources of the Pacific Games and the action required There have been few periods in 1. who had only been swimming with organisation and have set forth once Australia’s sporting history filled with to quickly rectify the situation caused Special Olympics Australia for three again on the path to success. much controversy. so much activity or promise, and on years before he attended the 2014 behalf of the ASC I thank you for your National Games as a first-timer. Jarrod With a reduced side, a more realistic hard work and support. You continue However, as I have emphasised at came home with two gold medals, but game plan and the support of many the many consultative meetings I to prove your capacity to succeed in an more importantly he came home with great players and captains, we ended ever-changing sporting landscape, and have personally attended around the a difficult year with a surplus for the a whole lot of confidence, a bunch of From the ASC I look forward to working with you in country, the Games debt was a catalyst, new friends and belief in his ability. first time since 2011. but not the sole cause of our troubles. the future. It has been another significant year Hence, the need for change. His mother, Karen shared this story: One of my proudest moments of 2014, for the Australian Sports Commission John Wylie AM “What a wild ride it has been since we was accepting the Special Olympics (ASC) and the sports network as Chair 2. Change can be difficult and I fully joined Jarrod up for swimming training Australia flag at the Closing Ceremony we continue working together to Australian Sports Commission respect the views of those who have with Special Olympics Australia.