18.08.11 The World Games celebrations wound up in style at the Eat Greek Restaurant with dignitaries, family and friends.
12.08.11 The second TMA Sports Lunch was held recently at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Special Olympics Western Australia is a state branch of Special Olympics Australia, the not-for-profit organisation which transforms the lives of people with an intellectual disability through regular sports participation.
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Special Olympics Australia, in 2012 are encouraging juniors to become involved with sports and activity to ensure good habits are embedded at an early age. Therefore, registration costs are waived. If your child is under 18 years of age before 31st December, 2012, complete the attached application form and forward to the address provided. Don't waste any more time. Register today! Click here for more information.
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Our Softball team competed recently at a friendly rival match with members from Jags Softball Club. 
The game was organised as a prelude to the upcoming SOVic Invitational Games to be held in Melbourne in May. The fun game was a great opportunity for our players to reinforce their skills and adapt what they had developed during training sessions, and also to further instil the relationship that SOWA has with Jags Softball Club. A huge thanks to Jags for the opportunity to compete and for the continued support they provide for our softballers.
Athlete Leadership mentors and mentees met recently for their second training session for 2012. The guest speaker on this occasion was Western Warriors coach, Lachlan Stevens. Lachlan was able to address the forum to discuss his leadership skills and his background. The ten athletes and ten mentors embraced the opportunity to gain an insight in to Lachlan’s pathway to success. 
The remainder of the training session will filled with subject matters such as goal setting, buoyancy and resiliency, governance and public speaking.
14 March 2012 | Special Olympics Australia will host the inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games in 2013.
The games will be held in the NSW town of Newcastle in December 2013, following the announcement that Australia had beaten out strong bids from cities in India and Malaysia.
The event will see Australia welcome more than 1,700 Special Olympics athletes, 600 coaches, 4,000 volunteers, and approximately 200,000 spectators from 25 nations across the Asia Pacific regions, who will compete in a range of sports.
For more information, visit the Asia Pacific Games page or view the Western Australian governments press release.
Athletes, coaches and volunteers alike were recognised at the SOWA 2011 Annual Awards Night held at the Kingsway Sporting Complex. A formal evening of dinner and dancing was topped by the recognition of the sporting achievements from athletes and the injection of energy and enthusiasm from the sporting coaches and volunteers from the organisation. Invited guests to the evening included SOWA Patron, Dr. Fiona Wood and Mayor of Wanneroo, Tracey Roberts.
Recipients of awards for the evening included:
Athlete of the Year - Garrick Snell
Coach of the Year - Cullen Barrow (Basketball)
Volunteer of the Year - Kim Armstrong
The recent annual multi sport games held at Ern Halliday Recreation Centre included a team from Special Olympics South Australia. The games, held over a weekend in October saw six sports played out at various venues around the Perth metro area. Athletes competed for the honour of wearing a medal in basketball, aquatics, equestrian, softball, tenpin bowling, gymnastics and athletics. Newcomers to SOWA from Riding for the Disabled Association of WA Inc. put on an impressive display of equestrian disciplines at the State Equestrian Centre.
The games were opened with a Law Enforcement Torch Run with representation from the WA Police Cadets and officiated by Tony O'Gorman MLA.
All competition was left at the door on the Saturday evening when the weelend was capped with a disco, with South Australian visitors glamming it up with plenty of bling for the occasion! Thanks to the organisers of the Games for a phenomenal weekend!
For all the news and images from the recent Ribbon Days held at Christchurch Grammar School, Santa Maria College and Ray Owen Recreation Centre, follow the link.
Athletes, coaches and volunteers from the sporting community came together recently at the Western Australia Disability Sporting Associations night of nights to recognise the achievements of their members over the last twelve months. SOWA members were nominated for the various accolades with athlete Garrick Snell being awarded for the 2011 Athlete of the Year. Well done Garrick.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Western Australia was officially recognised in June 2011 and to celebrate our partnership we’ve launched a web page to celebrate their good work. Find out how officers across the state are helping us share the joy of sport and visit the Western Australia Law Enforcement Torch Run web page.
At the recent DSR Coaches Awards Night, Julie Williams was recognised and acknowledged 
for her dedication to coaching the SOWA Basketball Teams. The program has grown immensely with an increase in the number of participants. This is widely due to the passion and the understanding that Julie shows to her players. The fun and safe environment ensures all athletes have the opportunity to gain greater skills of the sport and have loads of fun at the same time. The evening was shared by a table of her greatest supporters, her husband Don and members from the Perth Metro North committee. We are proud of you Julie and thrilled that your achievements have been acknowledged by the industry.
The Play By The Rules website, supported by our Principal Partner, the Australian Sports Commission has many great resources and tools for volunteers and coaches. Either go to their website direct or go to the Resources For Members section where there is a Play By The Rules category along with other information for members of Special Olympics Australia.
Special Olympics Western Australia recently joined facebook. This is a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest news, events and photos from Special Olympics WA. Become a fan today!
Following the Law Enforcement Torch Run in June, a civic ceremony was held at the Perth Town Hall to officially farewell the 10 World Game athletes and 2 officials from Western Australia. The Master of Ceremony, Rev. Canon Richard Pengelley reminisced on his own Olympic triumphs and delivered a message of confidence and pride. 
The Right Hon. Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi presented all the members with the official Team Australia uniform and the Consul of Greece, Sofia Choli recited a inspiring speech from the home of the Olympics, Olympia. The Commissioner of WA Police, Karl O'Callaghan shared his stories of childhood sport endeavours and Katie O'Donnell from Variety WA Choir sang the Australian National Anthem. The highlight of the day was the Western Lions Cheersports Squad that presented a special cheer for our World Games Team and farewelled them on their way to the 2011 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Athens. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!!
View the latest news and programs offered through our Community Sports-Link program by visiting our Community Sports-Link page
Stay up to date with what's happening and sign up for news using the News Signup button at left.
Take a look at our latest Community Service Annoucement faeturing Special Olympics athletes and Fiona Wood. Click here to view it on You Tube.
Find out how Special Olympics WA are working with Riding for the Disabled to bring equestrian to athletes with an intellectual disability. Read more
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