Special Olympics State Games opened to Top End
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Further collaboration between Special Olympics Australia and long-established disability service provider Total Recreation will deliver more representation opportunities for Territorian athletes with intellectual disability.

By Andrea Phillips

January 2021

SPECIAL OLYMPICS Australia has extended its longstanding partnership with Total Recreation to create more competition pathways for Northern Territory athletes with intellectual disability.

Disability service provider Total Recreation coordinates sporting opportunities in Territory schools and communities through delivering its own programs and partnering with clubs as well as state and national sporting organisations – including Special Olympics Australia.

Jason Bremner, Program Coordinator at Total Recreation, said: “These partnerships assist us to build more sporting opportunities by encouraging sports to grow their inclusion opportunities and underpinning programs.”

Bremner said this is important because a high percentage of people with a disability lead sedentary lifestyles and often face challenges in accessing sports in their community.

“The partnership between Total Recreation and Special Olympics will develop and support sporting opportunities through special education schools, come and try events and clubs as well as state and national competitions.”

“Partnering with the Special Olympics movement will build sporting pathways and encourage new participants to try and get involved in sports and their community.”

- Jason Bremner
Program Coordinator, Total Recreation

Total Recreation has previously sent Northern Territory delegations to Special Olympics Australia’s Junior National and National Games.

The expanded agreement between the organisations will create more regular competition opportunities for Territorian athletes, who will become eligible to enter Special Olympics’ state competitions in South Australia and Queensland.

Terry Visscher, Special Olympics Australia’s General Manager Sport and Programs, said the partners will work together to develop participation in grassroots competition in the Northern Territory, with Special Olympics Australia guiding Total Recreation on requirements for athletes to qualify for Special Olympics’ pathways.

Bremner said this will provide a pathway for Northern Territory athletes with intellectual disability to participate and represent at the national level, as well as encouraging new participants to try sports at the grassroots.

“Partnering with the Special Olympics movement will build sporting pathways and encourage new participants to try and get involved in sports and their community.”

 

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AUSTRALIA

Special Olympics Australia strives to ensure that everyone living with an intellectual disability can participate in sport. We provide:

  • Weekly grassroots sporting, recreational, social and health activities in local communities around Australia.
  • An environment where people with an intellectual disability can develop physical fitness, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage, and make friends.
  • Competition pathways ranging from weekly club events, to regional, state, and national games, culminating in the Special Olympics World Games.