What We Do
Special Olympics Otago offers a variety of 9 different sports throughout the year, providing opportunities for athletes of all abilities to participate and compete. The diverse range of sports caters to a wide range of interests and abilities, ensuring that there's something for everyone to get involved in. Whether it's swimming, powerlifting, basketball, football, or any of the other sports on offer, there's always an opportunity to engage in the joy of sports and the camaraderie of competition.
We also offer leadership programmes for athletes who want to take on another role within Special Olympics. We recognise the importance of providing comprehensive support to our athletes, empowering them not only in their chosen sports but also in their everyday lives. Our leadership programmes for athletes are designed to foster personal growth and enhance self-confidence as well as signifying the importance for speaking not only within the Special Olympics community but also in the wider community as well. Our athlete leaders are encouraged to take an active role in shaping their own experiences within the Special Olympics community, contributing to the development of policies, events, and initiatives. By nurturing their leadership potential, we empower athletes to serve as role models, mentors, and agents of change within their local and global networks. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our leadership programmes for athletes, please feel free to reach out.
Basketball
The basketball program runs from April until September each year. It is held at the Edgar Sports Centre every Sunday. The Junior players are from 12pm-1pm and the senior players are 1pm-2pm. There is a small charge for the entry to the Edgar ($2.50). Each session starts with a warm up, then a variety of skills are introduced, passing, shooting and dribbling, as well as learning how to play the game, in a fun and friendly way. There are both male and female athletes participating, there are a variety of ages, and also a diversity of skill levels, and we match the levels up so that everyone can compete and be challenged as they improve their skill level. Our more senior players also compete in the mixed social league that Basketball Otago run through the winter on a Wednesday night. If you would like to join in contact Jo Torrance on 027 471 6162 or at torrancer@slingshot.co.nz
Football
Football training is held on a Tuesday (depending on the weather) at De Carle Park in St Kilda at 4:30pm-5:30pm. Come along and join in the fun and work on your fitness at the same time. Our Coaches Matt Woodason and Jason Mathers base the training around warm up skills, fitness and then playing a game. There are both female and male players and there are plenty of opportunities to meet other people and form friendships. If you would like to give football a go please contact Matt Woodason on 027 449 8216 or at Matt@mtcargilltrust.co.nz
Golf
The golf coaching program is run from late October to mid December and from late January till early March, to make the most of sunny evenings. It is played at Chisholm Links Golf Course every Tuesday night from 5pm – 6pm. The cost is $5 per week. You do not need to have any golf clubs, as they are provided however if you do have your own you are welcome to bring them. Each week we learn a new skill, from putting, chipping and driving, to playing some holes on this wonderful golf course. We also have a small group of 4 of our athletes who compete in the Ambrose Twilight Golf Competition on a Monday night at Chisholm. If you would like to take part in golf contact Rob Torrance on 027 481 1158 or at torrancer@slingshot.co.nz.
Indoor Bowls
Indoor Bowls is undertaken at the South Dunedin Community hall on a Thursday at 4:30pm- 5:30pm, between March & October each year, and is a sport that is suitable for all ages. There are lots of chances to meet new people and build friendships. Athletes are encouraged also to join mainstream Indoor Bowls Clubs, and for more information on this discuss it with one of the coaches. There is a cost of $3 per night. For more information contact Judy Howard on 027 334 3315.
Indoor Rowing (for fitness)
Although Indoor Rowing is not an offical Special Olympics Sport, every Monday during the university year, we are able to attend indoor rowing at the University Rowing Club. It is facilitated by Glen Sinclair (University of Otago Rowing Manager). We set up the indoor rowing as a way to encourage our athletes to increase their fitness for other sports as well as having fun. It is for an hour from 6-7pm every Monday, and it is overseen by several Otago University rowing athletes, who help with technique and encouragement. No need for any special clothing, just shorts and a tee shirt, and some warm clothes to put on afterwards. Each year we organise a trip to Christchurch and to Invercargill to compete against other Special Olympics athletes on these erg machines. For more information about joining in contact Glen Sinclair on 027 476 9377
Powerlifting
Powerlifting training offers squat, bench press and dead lift. Athletes train twice a week at Strength Metrics Gym 92 King Edward Street South Dunedin on Tuesday and Thursday 6pm-7pm. We hold one ribbon day a year, and also attend other days around the Otago, Southland district as available. Athletes also compete in mainstream events and you can see more information on the Otago Weightlifting website. You can start training, and compete in a novice competition once you are ready to compete (this decision is between you and the coach) to see if the sport is for you. After this point you then need to join the local Association and register with the New Zealand Powerlifting (NZPF).
Costs for membership are approximately:
$500/ year gym fees (we try to subsidise these costs for you)
$75 for NZPF membership (you need to belong if you want to be competing in mainstream events), $30 for under 18 years
$60 for belonging to OWLA (you need to be affiliated to a club to compete), $35 for students and those under 23 years.
For more information contact Fred Doherty on 027 288 8190 or at Fred.clare@xtra.co.nz. You can also contact Adrian Caffell on 027 583 9494 or at caffellfamily@xtra.co.nz
Snowsports
Our Snowsports programme is held each year from July to September each year. It is held at Cardrona Alpine Resport in Wanaka. The Programme consists of 2 weekends and a week which is held in August. The weekends are for those who are beginners and want to give skiing or snowboarding a go as well as being training weekends for those who can ski and snowboard already. We stay at the Zulu Lodge in Albertown, Athletes will be required to bring a parent/caregiver with them for the weekend. We do not expect this person to ski if they don’t want to. We will have our band of experienced volunteers and ski instructors to help on the ski field. The parent/caregiver can of course bring more than one athlete with them. The costs for the weekends are around $200 per athlete. This includes 2 nights accomodation, instructors, lift passes and gear hire. However if you are planning on getting a seasons pass for your athlete please let us know as this cost will be slightly different. During the weekends Athletes are asked to provide their own meals. The cost for ski week will be approximately $750.00. This cost includes accommodation, meals, and transport from Wanaka to the ski field each day, lift passes, gear hire, instruction, racing at Cardrona, presentations, and disco. Athletes with a Season Pass please let us know as the cost will be slightly less for you.Alternative Care can be used to pay for this. Forms are available through the Ministry of Health.
NZ SNOWSPORTS – REGISTRATION
Please make sure you are a registered member so NZSS so as we can receive a discount for you on the ski field. Website – www.snowsports.co.nz. Go into membership option. Renew if you have been a member previously. Other option is to register as a new member.
If you would like to know more about our snowsports programme please contact Sue Rudduck on 027 569 4713
Swimming
Swimming is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a life skill that is taught, first to ensure safety and secondly for sports and competition purposes. Otago has a very active swimming programme with many athletes practising and training every week throughout the year, they have several highly experienced coaches, who are trained in teaching people with disabilities the skills needed to become proficient in swimming, at every level. Swimmers may participate in individual races in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly at distances from 25m to 1500m. Teams may compete in medley and freestyle relay events.Swimmers of lower ability may compete in developmental events such as walking, floatation, assisted or unassisted events.
Otago athletes train at Moana Pool, every Wednesday night. (apart from school holidays)
There are two sessions available:-
Developmental Class 6:50pm-7:20pm
Swim Squad 7:30pm-8:30pm
The cost is $4.30 for entry to the pool or there are concession tickets available. If you would like to give swimming a go please contact Margaret Van Betuw on 455 0664 or at Specialolympicsotagoswimming@gmail.com
Tenpin Bowling
Our Tenpin Bowling programme runs all year round except for school holidays. Training is held at Bowl Line Kaikorai Valley Road from 6:45pm-8pm. Games take approximately 30 minutes each to complete although late arrivals and the occasional technical problem with lanes can delay this. We do ask athletes to please be on time. There is no problem with new athletes turning up anytime, we have room to add to teams, you will be added to a team with similar abilities. We have teams who bowl one game and teams who bowl two each time it is up to you which on you would rather do. For the more severely disabled athlete there are ramps form which the ball can be placed and pushed off.
The focus on the games is to improve individual averages and to enjoy yourself. If you have bowled before or even if you haven’t but would like to give it a go contact Raewyn Stichman on 027 280 300 or if you would rather participate with the more Advanced Players, there is a group of them that meet on a Tuesday and bowl 2 games which costs $10. If you would like to join in contact Chris Rielly on 021 184 5050
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Leadership Programmes
Global Messengers:
Only athletes can effectively relate the impact that Special Olympics has had on their lives and the lives of their families. Global Messengers are Special Olympics athletes who attend workshops and training sessions to learn skills and gain confidence so that they are ready to help spread the message and vision of the movement – as well as the benefits they have gained by participating in Special Olympics. Global Messengers speak in their community and around New Zealand at seminars and conferences. They address functions and community groups about intellectual disability, Special Olympics and their experiences. Global Messengers influence the community and policy makers on issues of concern to the intellectual disability community and have the confidence and skills to respond positively and proactively around issues important to the intellectual disability community. Athletes who have gone through Global Messenger training are qualified to apply to be an International Global Messenger. Every two years, 12 athletes from around the world are selected to train and serve as International Global Messengers. Invite a Special Olympics New Zealand Global Messenger to speak to your school, group, organisation or at other venues and events. To book a Global Messenger or to find out more about how to become either a Global Messenger or mentor please contact us.
ALPS Programme:
Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programmes (ALPs) allow athletes to explore opportunities in roles previously considered non-traditional. Participation might come in the form of an athlete serving on the Board of Directors or local organising committee or it might find an athlete as a spokesperson, team captain, coach or official. As athletes mature, they seek new challenges and look for ways to utilise the wisdom that comes from their life and Special Olympics experiences. ALPs initiatives are designed to provide those challenges and opportunities. ALPs initiatives also provide an excellent way to demonstrate to the larger community that athletes have talents and interests that sometimes go unnoticed. Athletes amaze their communities with their commitment, drive and athletic skill and then they show that they help direct and provide the programme for others.
Special Olympics Otago have had 5 ALP’s graduates since its inception. They are:
David Sullivan
Chris Reilly
Philip Lomas
Ryan Stewart
Sports Representatives:
We also have a group of Sports Representatives that meet and discuss how they think the sports are going and if there are any concerns. They are:
Peter Reilly- Basketball
Philip Lomas- Swimming
Ryan Stewart- Powerlifting
Alysha Canning- Football
Jaimee Torrance- Snowsports
Shayne Anderson- Indoor Bowls
Nathan Symister- Golf
Chris Reilly-Tenpin Bowling