While Australia is abuzz with the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, how many Australians realise that as the Games end, another competition begins.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Australian Special Olympics National Games will be conducted at Adelaide between April 16-20.
Starting and ending with amazing opening and closing ceremonies, few sporting events can match the social and emotional impact of these games.
Every four years, more than 1000 athletes with an intellectual disability from all over Australia, demonstrate their skills and sportsmanship across 11 official Special Olympic sports. These Games are the flagship event of Special Olympics Australia.
Special Olympics Illawarra proudly has 19 athletes, ranging in age from 16 to 45 attending the Games.
They have been selected to represent NSW in four of the official sports.
For the Illawarra athletes, this is the culmination of years of regular and dedicated training and enables them to achieve their dreams through their chosen sport.
For their Illawarra families it inspires hope for the future. While, for the hundreds of volunteers working at the Games it provides a joyous outlet for their generosity.
ATHLETES
- Timothy Walsh – tennis.
- Daniel Cannon and Charles McFarlane – swimming.
- Aaron Cannon – open water swimming.
- Dane Pritchard, Koby Banks, Lachlan Harley, Luke Huska, Nebojsa Stanojlovic, Ryota Scheino, Sean McKay, Shaun Iacovelli, Tahlia Henson – Basketball.
- Grant Francis, Madison Sims, Shane Monks, Tiffany Churchill , Peter Burke and West McKinnon – ten pin bowling.
Not only is the Illawarra being represented by 19 athletes, but they are also proud to be sending volunteer support workers, Emily Sims, Callum Harley, Leanne Secomb and basketball coach, Ken Jordan.
Want more from the Kiama Independent? Try this: