The State Games saw the launch of 4 new regions in Western Australia, and in addition, the launch of the “Healthy Athlete

Program”. Medical clinicians travelled from New Zealand and Sydney to deliver the “Healthy Hearing” discipline and the

“Special Smiles” screening. The program was highly successful with 155 athletes tested at the clinics with a wide variety of

results determined. In “Special Smiles”, 12.5% of athletes tested received referrals for urgent treatment, and 16.2% of athletes tested at “Healthy Hearing” were referred to specialists for further treatment.

SO, Word from the WEST October 2013

In October of 2013, 160 athletes supported by 120 carers; coaches; officials and volunteers

converged on the serene and tranquil surroundings of Fairbridge Village in Pinjarra. The

weekend commenced with the Law Enforcement Torch Run supported by 120 WA Police Officers;

SOWA athletes and Shire of Murray community members, led by Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan.

The Olympic Torch Run followed a 10 kilometre route through the streets of Pinjarra and concluded

with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at Fairbridge Village. With the official proceedings over,

the participants sat back to enjoy the harmonious sounds of performers from Akanna Entertainment

and the highlight of the night, performer Jonny Taylor.

Over the course of the weekend, athletes competed across 7 sports with 2 skill sessions offered.

SOWA

welcomes,

farewells,

thanks and

congratulates…

WA Athletes Soar at State Games 2013

Proudly supported by

Special Olympics Western Australia can now be followed on twitter

@SpecialO_WA

With a busy day on Saturday at sports and supporting

programs, all athletes, coaches, carers and volunteers

were treated to the fun and frivolity of the Mucky Duck

Bush Band on the Saturday night. Despite everybody

showing signs of exhaustion, there was still enough

energy for some heel kicking, thigh slapping and

spinning with your partner! The Mucky Duck Bush Band

performance was a highlight for everybody as athletes

danced with carers; volunteers danced with coaches and

regions dance with regions. Fun had by all!!

Right: Josef Bandera (SO South-West); Mitchell

Griffiths (SO Perth Metro North) led the final leg of the

Law Enforcement Torch Run entrance at Fairbridge

Village

SO, Word from the West October 2013

.

Thanks to all of

our supporters

for the 2013

State Games

The 2013 SOWA State Games

Opening Ceremony saw the

launching of 4 new regions in

Western Australia, supporting the

long standing region, SO Perth

Metro North.

Top Left: SO South-West region

Chair: Alex Hamilton

Flag Bearers: Jan T; Sam; Leah

Top Right: SO Perth Metro South

Chair: Yvonne Timson

Flag Bearers: Lynnette K: Adam B;

Kasey R: Kyran D: Krsna B

Left: SO Perth Metro North

Chair: Paresh Ghandi

Flag Bearers: Ella B; Jasmine S;

Kaylene

Right: SO Kimberley

Chair: Tui Savu

Flag Bearers: Helen, Tui and Sami

Bottom Left: SO Goldfields

Chair: Wayne Johnstone

Flag Bearer: Jessica V

The success of the 2013 SOWA State Games is majorly due to the support of our endless sponsors and volunteers.

Many thanks to everybody for your phenomenal support!

Thanks to our

sponsors and

supporters

Left: Three of the

team of Alcoa nurses

that assisted us over

the weekend

Right: WA Police

Officers supporting

the Law Enforcement

Torch Run

Above: Healthy Athlete Program Coordinators:

Chavon Livey, Lennon White, Jenine Doherty

Above: Umpires from the Joondalup Junior

Referees Association who supported the Basketball

SO, Word from the West October 2013

SOWA Athletes Dominated at the Games

AQUATICS

BASKETBALL

ATHLETICS

EQUESTRIAN

SOFTBALL

TENPIN BOWLING

SOCCER

CRICKET BOCCE

SO, Word from the West October 2013

SOWA’s

Notice Board

SO Celebrates 2013

Wednesday 27th November 5.30pm to 7.30pm

St George’s College, Mounts Bay Road, Crawley

Come and join in the celebrations of Special Olympics WA to acknowledge the achievements of 2013;

2013 Annual State Awards

Farewell Asia-Pacific Games Team

Graduate ALPs

Canberra Centenary Aquatics Championships

State of Origin Challenge

State Games

Athletes; Coaches; Committee members; Volunteers

You are cordially invited to attend the end of year wind up. Please wear your regional uniform and wear your

latest medals to showcase your personal achievements in 2013.

Hope to see you there!!

Nominations are now open for the 2014 Variety

Scholarships.

Do you know a talented young Western Australian

who is sick, disadvantaged or has special needs?

Every year, the Variety Scholarships are awarded to WA

children in need with a gift for the arts, sport and

education. By funding specialist tuition and related

expenses, the scholarships help young people to

overcome adversity and achieve their potential.

Scholarships can support a wide range of items and

endeavours, including:

Private tuition / coaching Specialist programs

Competition fees

Uniforms / costumes

Musical equipment

Materials and other miscellaneous items

http://www.variety.org.au/WA/How-we-help-/Variety-future-

kids/Scholarships

Please note, applicants must be under the age of 18

years as at 1 January 2014. Applications close on 13

December 2013.

2014 National Games

Melbourne, Victoria

20th October – 24th October 2014

Coaches/Assistant Coaches/Officials

Expressions of Interest

SOWA are currently seeking nominations from

interested parties to support the SOWA team competing

at the 2014 National Games.

For information packages and nomination forms, go to

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

Closing date for nominations - 14 November, 2013

2014 Athlete Leadership Program

Nominations for athletes to participate in the 2014

ALPs program will open soon. Regardless if you are

metro or regionally based, if you are 16 years and over

and wish to participate in the development program,

go to http://www.specialolympics.com.au/alps/ for

information and to

http://www.specialolympics.com.au/wa for nomination

forms.

Closing date for nominations – 28 November, 2013

SO, Word from the West October 2013 SOWA’s

Spring

Season in

Sport

Special Olympics Perth Metro

South Cricket Program

,

Athletics Season 2013/14

Come along and join in on the fun of Athletics.

Learn new skills on the track and field; make new

friends and strive for personal bests!

Under the guidance of skilled and accredited

coaches, Special Olympics WA are offering two

programs in the upcoming 2013/14 season.

Tapping Primary School

87 St Stephens Cres, Tapping

Monday weekly

3.30pm to 5.00pm

Athletics WA Stadium

100 Stephenson Ave, Mt Claremont

Tuesday weekly

5.00pm to 6.00pm

For further enquiries, or to register your interest,

contact (08) 9321 3207 or email

dib@specialolympics.com.au or visit website;

www.specialolympics.com.au

COME ALONG AND COME ALONG

AND JOIN IN ON THE FUN OF

DEVELOPING NEW SKILLS ON THE

TRACK AND FIELD

Do you want to learn new skills and be part of a

team?

Have you ever sat and watched the cricket on TV?

Well, it is time to get off the couch!!

With the support from the WACA and under the

guidance of a skilled coach, Special Olympics is

launching a new cricket program

Corpus Christi College

Murdoch Parade, Bateman

Wednesday weekly - 5.00pm to 6.00pm

$5.00 per week

For further enquiries, or to register your interest,

contact (08) 9321 3207 or email

dib@specialolympics.com.au or visit website;

www.specialolympics.com.au

SO, Word from the West October 2013

Proudly printed by:

Mr. LUKE SIMPKINS

Federal Member for Cowan

DATE EVENT SPORTS VENUE

NOVEMBER

10th 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

DECEMBER

1st Asia-Pacific Games Opening Ceremony APG Newcastle, NSW

3rd International Day for People with Disabilities

22nd IGA Apex Carols by Candlelight ALPs Supreme Court Gardens

SOWA

Highlights

2013 Winner: Chris Minutillo, WA Paralympic Football player, Special Olympics Australia

representative.

• Chris was one of the founding players for Cockburn City SC in the Equal Footingball Junior League.

• He has been the leading goal scorer in all three years and has even played short stints in his own mainstream age competition.

• Chris was selected in the inaugural WA state team for the Paralympic Football Nationals in 2012 and kicked the first historic goal for WA. Chris also represented WA in the 2013 Paralympic Football Nationals and was named WA’s Player of the Tournament, just missing out on the golden boot award after WA was eliminated from the finals, with three goals from four matches.

• Chris is also a player with Special Olympics WA, winning the “2012 Special Olympics Perth Metro North Junior Athlete of the Year” and in 2013, Chris was selected to represent Australia in the green and gold at the December “Special Olympics Asia-Pacific Games”.

Congratulations to Chris and proud parents Sue and Sav. A huge thanks must also go to Chris’ coach, Gordon Duus on your dedication and passion to coaching.

2013 David Cantoni Medal Recipient

Chris Minutillo- SO Perth Metro North

Chris Minutillo with Football

West CEO, Peter Hugg at the

recent WA Football Award Night

held at the Crown Perth’s Grand

Ballroom