SO, Word from the WEST July 2013

SOWA athlete, George Harwood was lucky enough to be taken by Inspector John Leembruggen

from the Western Australia Police Force to PolAir at the Air Support facility to see the planes and

new Police Helicopter. George was picked up in a police car and taken to Jandakot where the

pilots spent a great deal of their time answering questions and giving George a guided tour of each

of their specially fitted out aircraft. The new helicopter was very impressive and has been fitted

with an infra-red camera that is used for searching for people when they are missing or for

following cars/people that are wanted by the police. The pilots started up the helicopter which

created a huge amount of noise and wind. Unfortunately, due to the low lying fog we were not able to be taken up in the helicopter but the experience was amazing. We would like to thank John and

the staff at PolAir for spending so much of their valuable time with George and for allowing to get

inside the aircraft and answering our many questions. Annette & George Harwood.

SOWA

welcomes,

farewells,

thanks and

congratulates…

WA Police Visit

Proudly supported by

Special Olympics Western Australia can now be followed on twitter

@SpecialO_WA

SOWA athlete George Harwood with Superintendent John Leembruggen, Law Enforcement Torch Run Coordinator in WA at a recent visit to PolAir. George and John struck up a friendship after being paired up at the Junior National Games in Newcastle.

SO, Word from the West July 2013

Cricket Skills Murdoch

Students from Leeming, Warnbro

and Rockingham ESCs attended

the Cricket Skills morning held at

Murdoch University Sports Club

grounds.

With the support of SEDA students

and the WACA, the high school

students were subjected to the

fundamentals of cricket, adopting

newly developed skills in hitting;

bowling and fielding.

The students also received the

opportunity to meet Western

Warrior players Burt Cockley and

Simon Macken who assisted on

the day and shared their stories of

success on the field.

The cricket skill sessions will now

lead to a tournament day at the

WACA where the students will

have the opportunity to transition in to the 2013/14 season.

Cricket Skills Joondalup

Community

Sports-Link

Program

June

2013

Armadale

The multi-sport ribbon day held

in Armadale was attended by

students from Gwynn Park and

Mater Christi College.With

basketball; soccer; cricket and

WADSA modified activities on

offer, the students were subjected to skills in all sports.

Huge thanks to Hockeyroos

players whom swapped their

sticks for cricket bats and

basketballs on the day.

Students from Westminster

Education Support Centre were

treated to a phenomenal day at

Joondalup Arena recently. With

support from the WACA, they

were introduced to the basic skills

of cricket, learning how to throw

the ball at a target, hit and run and

concluded with diamond cricket.

In addition to the cricket skills developed on the day, the

students were extremely fortunate

to meet Scorchers players

Michael Beer and Liam Davis.

Both players were happy to pass

on their game tips, teach some

skills and compete in the friendly

game.

The morning session was topped

off with a visit from Justin Langer, Scorchers coach and cricket

legend. Thanks Scorchers for all

of your support.

SO, Word from the West July 2013

Meet the

SOWA Board

For full description

of the SOWA board,

go to www.specialolympics.co

m.au/wa

2013 Special Olympics WA

Kimberley Committee

Dr. Fiona Wood

Patron

Tui Savu - Chair Amy Andison - Treasurer

Dean Holder – Secretary

Melinda Knox –

Regional Sports

Coordinator

Mike Doyle

Adriel Burley

Helen Savu

SO, Word from the West July 2013

Special Air Services Regiment Experience

Special Air Services Regiment host ALPs

When we went to the SAS Barracks we did lots of different things. We met some of the soldiers. When we arrived we were given army clothes

to put on and wear during the excursion. And we painted our faces with

camouflage paint. We were allowed to keep the uniforms. They let us sit in the big trucks. The truck that Jordan was in had to take a few run

ups to get up the hill. It was so funny. We played some army games.

One of the games we had to avoid someone pretending to shoot us. They gave us a beautiful lunch. Then they took us to the gate and we

did paintballing. It was so much fun. There was army dogs and we were

not allowed to take any photos because it is a restricted area and we

were very lucky to be allowed to visit and look around. The family and friends we told were so jealous. We would like to thank the SAS

soldiers that showed us around and to also thank Di and Luke for this

opportunity. Jordan Hill and Eloise Bolam

Thanks to the phenomenal generosity of Major General Mick

Slater, our Athlete Leadership Program members were recently

treated to a visit to the Special Air Services Regiment (SAS) at

Campbell Barracks. The afternoon was led by Sergeant Harry

and Troopers Peter and Tim.

The afternoon included travel in Special Operations vehicles;

team building based dynamic scenarios, the shooting of some of

the training paint guns, a presentation in leadership and

afternoon tea.

The afternoon was a once in a life time experience and one that

everybody will take away for fond memories.

Thanks to Mick, Harry, Peter and Tim for an awesome time. See

you next year!

Eloise &

Jordan’s

SAS story

SO, Word from the West July 2013 Special

Olympics

Western

Australia

Special Olympics Western Australia is delighted to

announce that it will be holding its 2013 State Games in

Pinjarra, Western Australia over the weekend of 11th –

13th October 2013. The 2013 State Games is an

endorsed selection event for the 2014 National Games.

With 11 different sports on offer we are expecting over

150 athletes to participate.

Athlete and Volunteer registrations are now available

on the State Games website.

Be sure to register now to ensure your spot at what is

shaping up to be a fantastic event!

State Games website;

http://www.specialolympics.com.au/wa/stategames

Athlete Information Package;

http://www.specialolympics.com.au/images/soanew/

wa/stategames2013/State%20Games%20Registration%2

0Information.pdf

Athlete Registration;

http://www.specialolympics.com.au/images/soanew/

wa/stategames2013/State%20Games%20Registration%2

0Information.pdf

Volunteer Registration;

http://www.specialolympics.com.au/images/soanew/

wa/stategames2013/SOWA%20State%20Games%20Volu

nteer%20Expressions%20of%20Interest%20Form.pdf

2013 SOWA STATE GAMES

REGISTRATIONS

2013 SOWA STATE GAMES

CELEBRATION CONCERT

SOWA are proud to announce former Australia’s Got Talent finalist, Jonny Taylor will head the line up at the Celebration Concert of the State Games. Jonny has seen mainstream success over the past few years and his recently released album ‘Something To Say’ debuted at #2 on the ARIA Australian Country Album charts and #4 on the iTunes albums chart.

http://www.jonnytaylormusic.com/

2013 SOWA State Games Celebration Concert Friday 11th October

Fairbridge Village Pinjarra 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Everybody welcome!! FREE ENTRY

SO, Word from the West July 2013

Proudly printed by:

Mr. LUKE SIMPKINS

Federal Member for Cowan

DATE EVENT SPORTS VENUE

AUGUST

1st Community Sports-Link Skills Day Cricket Murdoch University

6th SOWA Board Meeting SOWA Board SOWA State Office

10th WADSA Aquatics Aquatics Challenge Stadium

10/11th Bunbury Regional Tournament Tenpin Bowling Bunbury

10/11th RDAWA Training Weekend Equestrian RDAWA

16th TMA Sports Lunch

Hyatt Regency Hotel

17th Football Training Football Coker Park, Cannington

17th Athlete Leadership Program Training ALPs St George’s College

18th Volunteer Training Day ALL Dept Sport & Rec

25th Everybody’s Game Tournament Basketball Basketball WA

SEPTEMBER

6th WADSA Golf Tournament Golf Melville Glades

12th Community Sports-Link Cricket Skills Cricket Mandurah

17th Board Meeting SOWA Board SOWA State Office

19th Community Sports-Link Cricket Carnival Day Cricket WACA

22nd EKS Day

OCTOBER

11/12/13 SOWA State Games ALL Pinjarra

19/20 Telethon

22nd Board Meeting SOWA Board SOWA State Office

31st Community Sports-Link Ribbon Day Multi-Sport Kwinana Recquatic Centre

NOVEMBER

17th Everybody’s Game Tournament Basketball Basketball WA Stadium

22nd Community Sports-Link Ribbon Day Multi-Sport Joondalup Arena

26th Board Meeting SOWA Board SOWA State Office

27th SO Celebrates ALL TBA

28th Asia-Pacific Games Team Depart APG Newcastle, NSW