Creating opportunities for competition and inclusivity.

Special Olympics Kāpiti | Manawatu Basketball

Heartwarming moments aren't hard to come by when you're involved with Special Olympics, says Kāpiti Chair and Board Member, Anne Cheetham. "From seeing the joy a young athlete gets from scoring a goal in football to the feelings of elation after shooting a hoop at basketball, it's really easy to feel motivated to work towards our mission every day," says Anne.

A worldwide movement

As with many community initiatives, the beginnings of Special Olympics were decidedly modest. However, propelled by the energy of its Founder (Eunice Shriver of the Shriver/Kennedy family) alongside social advocacy movements for increased inclusivity of traditionally marginalised communities, Special Olympics quickly grew from a day camp in Potomac, Maryland to a worldwide movement involving millions of athletes in 170 countries.

Since 1968, the mission of Special Olympics has been to deliver sports training and competition for the athletes they work with. Anne says, "in addition to providing opportunities for competition and self-development, Special Olympics is now beginning to play an advocacy role for people experiencing intellectual disability – a voice for communities who typically do not have the power or platform to use their own."

Creating opportunities for competition and comradery

What hasn't changed since their founding days is Special Olympics’ focus on fostering a sense of community through multi-sport competition. The National Summer Games is the next of such events for New Zealand athletes. This event, which includes sports such as athletics, basketball, table tennis, bocce and powerlifting, will welcome over 1750 athletes and coaches to host city; Hamilton for a week in December.

Bookended with open and closing ceremonies, "the National Summer Games offers a jewel box of opportunities for participating athletes," says Anne. "From training for and competing in a sport, to being in an environment where they can forge lifelong friendships with people similar to them; it's an immensely valuable event for attendees.'

A helping hand

Nikau Foundation was delighted to support Special Olympics Kāpiti, issuing a grant for $5000.00 from the Kāpiti Community Enterprises Fund to contribute to accommodation and travel costs. "Without the support from granters such as Nikau Foundation, opportunities such as these just wouldn't be possible. We are entirely volunteer-run and such funding allows us to provide hugely impactful opportunities for our athletes" says Anne.

To find out more about Special Olympics New Zealand, click here.