What’s Happening?

SOTAS News - Autumn 2012

SO,

For what’s happening every week

Search for “Special Olympics Tasmania”

Hi All

What an incredible pace this year is moving at already.

We have seen a fantastic Summer Games organised by the North West Region and my sincere thanks to Lyndall Hall for her diligence in ensuring the smooth running of the event and the rest of the North West committee - Corinne Hill, Brian Hill, Dale Polden, Christine Smith, Kevin Maynard, Barry Cross, Pat Polden and Judy Marshall.

We have had an exciting time over the holiday period recruiting some key people to our State Office and committee. I have pleasure in welcoming Wendy Kennedy to replace Tamara Stokes in our marketing and fundraising area. I know Wendy will bring real value to the organisation. We also have finally secured a new state treasurer, Sean Burk, who has a wealth of experience as a former CFO for Cricket Tasmania and currently CEO for Meals on Wheels Tasmania. Lennon White has completed his traineeship and will continue working with SOTAS as Junior Development Coordinator. Lennon is already looking into the next stage of his study with a Diploma of Management and will be supported by SOA.

We have had the Hawthorn Football Club visit down South earlier this month and were greatly appreciative at the calibre of players that came along to the day including Brad Sewell and Buddy Franklin. I know the athletes who attended the skills session really enjoyed themselves and gave some great feedback to the playing group.

We have a really busy year ahead with the second Trans Tasman Tournament taking place in Cairns from October 8-12 and the third National Junior Games in Newcastle from December 6-10, so a fantastic time for our athletes and families.

The next State Meeting is at Ross on 4 March 2012 and we have a very full agenda and we are all looking forward to our 3rd Sports Lunch on 27 April 2012 at Blundstone Arena (Bellerive Oval).

Peter Flood, Chairman

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

HAWKS VISIT TASMANIA

Early in February the Hawthorn Football Club rolled into Tasmania and a visit to Special Olympics was high on their list of priorities.

Our Junior Development Coordinator, Lennon White, decided that soccer would be the perfect sport for our athletes to have some fun with their Hawthorn heroes.

The Hawks were with us for an hour and a half and athletes, parents and volunteers all really enjoyed the occasion, along with a strong media contingency.

Congratulations to Lennon for assisting to facilitate what was a memorable occasion for us all.

Skills Day (SD) / Ribbon Day (RD) Sport Venue

Time

Southern Region: Schools DSP’s

Thursday 15th

March SD Cricket/Football Wentworth Park 10-12:30 1-2:30

Wednesday 9th

May RD Cricket/Football Wentworth Park 10:30-2

Thursday 10th

May RD Cricket/Football Wentworth Park 10-1:30

Northern Region: Schools DSP’s

Thursday 22nd

March SD Cricket/Football Prospect Vale Park 10-12:30 1-2:30

Tuesday 15th

May RD Cricket/Football Launceston Cricket Ground 10-1:30

Wednesday 16th

May RD Cricket/Football Launceston Cricket Ground 10:30-2

North West Region: Schools DSP’s

Wednesday 21st

March SD Cricket/Football Ulverstone Sport & Leisure 10-12:30 1-2:30

Thursday 17th

May RD Cricket/Football Ulverstone Sport & Leisure 10:30-2

Friday 18th

May RD Cricket/Football Ulverstone Sport & Leisure 10-1:30

COMMUNITY SPORTS-LINK PROGRAM DATES - TERM 1

Skills Day: Introductory skills development day bringing local groups together to try out sports.

Ribbon Day: Ribbon Day culminating competitive event bringing all of the groups in together to put the skills they‟ve learned into practice!

If you would like more information on the Community Sports-Link Program, contact Lennon White on (03) 6228 9321

or lennonw@specialolympics.com.au

In 2012, Special Olympics Tasmania‟s focus is turning to the growth and development of juniors amongst our regional training programs. This has been encouraged by the opportunity of the Junior National Games being held in Newcastle in December for Special Olympics athletes under the age of 16.

We believe that if the youth experience the fun, friendship and healthy lifestyle that sport provides from a young age, it will greatly assist in their social integration and confidence building; setting them up for life‟s post-teen challenges.

Junior programs are starting to pop up all over the State, so if you think anyone you know shows a flare for sport or are simply interested in meeting new people and learning new skills in a friendly, inclusive environment, please don‟t hesitate to contact Lennon who is leading the charge in his role as Junior Development Coordinator or your local regional representative for details on what opportunities are near you.

Registration forms can be found on www.specialolympics.com.au/tas

Free membership relates to our ongoing weekly regional training programs

Pictured Above - Juniors having FUN participating in

activities !!!

The 2012 Athlete Leadership Program (ALP) will be launching soon with brand new training materials from SOA. A big shout out to Tasmania's Nic Stephen who has been heavily involved in the production of these items. We are looking for an ALP Coordinator to take the lead (with support of the State Office) with three training opportunities for the athletes and mentors throughout the year. We will have an Introduction training session, Ambassador training and Governance training throughout the year. All will culminate in a graduation at the end of the year.

If you are interested in being involved in the ALP as an athlete, mentor or coordinator - register your interest with the State Office.

For those who would like to learn more about what it is to be a Mentor, we have an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Mentor Training workshop 9am-4pm on Saturday 31 March 2012 at Ross. Registrations are a must by Friday 23 March 2012 with the State Office. Participants will receive a ASC certificate at the completion of this workshop.

Under 18 years - Join for FREE - Again in 2012

ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

COST IS FREE THANKS TO SUPPORT FROM NYRSTAR

We had a very good turnout for our first State Games of the year last weekend (18-19 February 2012) with Athletics, Aquatics and Tennis the sports on show.

The weekend kicked off with Athletics, with 22 events on the schedule, many athletes achieved „Personal Bests‟, with a few competing for the first time! This would not have been possible without the wonderful help of North West Athletics Club and their band of helpers, so a big thank you to Grant, Phil and all other helping hands.

The dinner night was a huge success, with 64 turning up to dine and dance. Athletes joined in with air guitars, chicken dancers, the nut bush and a conga line! Lots of smiling faces were seen all around after „Personal Best‟ awards were handed out. State Manager Alison enjoyed all the cuddles she received from appreciative athletes.

Sunday morning started at Ulverstone Indoor Pool for a 20 event program. Some amazing close races were had and great participation by all! Due to the wonderful help of coaches, we were able to fit this three hour program into half that time, so those athletes that didn‟t get to attend the dinner had a chance to socialise at Dell Luck Oval while they waited for the Tennis to finish and the Closing Ceremony to get underway.

Tennis was transferred to Don College with seven athletes and one volunteer competing. This was the first time the North West had held a Tennis competition and so a huge thank you goes out to Northern coaches Vanessa and Garry for their amazing help!

Lunch and presentations then got underway at Dell Luck Oval for both Aquatics and Tennis, with once again many „Personal Bests‟ awarded.

Congratulations to all those GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE medal recipients and to those who achieved „PERSONAL BESTS‟ - you are the TRUE WINNERS!

Finally, thanks must go out to each and every committee member from the North West. They are a small group, but can handle huge tasks. They banded together to make the weekend a massive success and we only had to see the athletes faces to get their reward.

SUMMER GAMES REVIEW - NW

Hi Everyone

Well hold onto your hats as 2012 is off and running. All regions have started their weekly training. Football has started in the South and Junior Programs are across the State.

Congratulations to the NW region for working together and putting on a great Summer Games. Special mention must go to NW Athletics Club who hosted the Athletics component within a regular club meet and the committee members.

I am looking forward to a new national strategy to guide SOTAS to 2015 which is close to completion. In the meantime its business as usual in Tasmania with our focus on looking after our registered athletes and welcoming many more to make for exciting competition like the Junior Nationals later this year.

The Athlete Leadership Program (ALP) will be launched again for 2012 soon. We are looking for a keen person to

MESSAGE FROM THE STATE MANAGER

be the ALP Coordinator. Contact State Office to find out more details about the training provided and what the role requires.

By now all SOTAS volunteers should have received their renewal forms. The State are covering the cost of all „Police Checks‟ so make sure your forms are signed and returned to the State Office for efficient turn around times.

The value of volunteers in Special Olympics is very important. Making sure the correct people are advocating for the athletes is paramount. Thank you for your support.

Enjoy reading what is happening across the State.

Yours in Sport

Alison Mosely, State Manager

THANKS!

We would like to thank all who helped contribute to this edition of “SO, What‟s Happening?”

State Office Contact Details

Sport & Recreation House 1 Self‟s Point Road

CORNELIAN BAY TAS 7008 (03) 6228 9321

www.specialolympics.com.au/tas

State Manager Alison Mosely

Phone: 0428 036 196 alisonm@specialolympics.com.au

Corporate Relationship Manager

Wendy Kennedy Phone: 0438 100 446

wendyk@specialolympics.com.au

Junior Development Coordinator Lennon White

Phone: 0428 034 585 lennonw@specialolympics.com.au

To reduce printing and distribution costs to SOTAS, tell us your email address and the next issue of “SO, What‟s Happening?” can be delivered directly to your Inbox!

www.specialolympics.com.au

2012 SOTAS CALENDAR

31 Mar ASC Mentor Training, Ross

27 Apr 3rd Annual Sports Lunch, South

28-29 Apr Tenpin State Championships, South

14-15 July Winter Games, North

25-26 Aug Bowls State Championships, North West

27-28 Oct Spring State Games, South

6-10 Dec Junior National Games, Newcastle, NSW

For more details about any event contact the State Office.

We are excited to announce that our 3rd Sports Lunch will be held on 27 April 2012 at the Blundstone Arena (Bellerive Oval). Our special guest speaker is former Race Calling Legend Bryan Martin OAM, who will delight guests with his wonderfully colourful stories from the world of thoroughbred racing.

There is also the opportunity for those that book early, to go into the draw to have a „one on one‟ chat with Bryan prior to the start of the lunch.

We are hoping for a big crowd this year and look forward to seeing you there!

3RD ANNUAL SPORTS LUNCH