Special Olympics Clubs - Macarthur is a sports club located in Sydney that is proud to be a part of the Special Olympics network. The Special Olympics network provides a range of sport, recreation, social, and health opportunities for people with an intellectual disability. The club aims to help individuals have fun, be healthy, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage, and make friends.
Special Olympics Australia, of which Macarthur Club is a part, is a global movement that has been transforming the lives of people with an intellectual disability for almost 50 years. The movement was pioneered by the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister to US President John F Kennedy and Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability. Today, Special Olympics supports over 5 million athletes in 177 countries.
Special Olympics began in Australia in 1976, at a time when many individuals with an intellectual disability were shut in institutions. Although this is no longer the norm in Australia, the club continues to seek public support to ensure that people with an intellectual disability are not shut out. By providing opportunities to play sport, the club aims to open the door to personal achievement, pride, and inclusion for some marginalised and isolated members of the community.
Special Olympics Macarthur Club is connected to the larger Special Olympics movement, which shares the belief in the power of sport to create a better world. While the Olympics and Paralympics focus on elite athletes and have high levels of awareness and funding, Special Olympics is a year-round multi-sports programme for people with an intellectual disability. The club offers robust competition pathways, including the World Games, which is hosted on a four-year cycle in both summer and winter sports.
The club seeks to increase its reach and spread the joy of sport and community. With 850,000 people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in Australia, and only 3,000 participating athletes in Special Olympics Australia, the club relies on the support of the community to make a difference.
It is important to note that intellectual disabilities may not always be obvious, unlike physical disabilities. People with intellectual disabilities may struggle with basic tasks, such as reading, handling money, or using public transportation, but it doesn't mean they can't learn to do these things. They may just learn differently or require more time and support to succeed.
At Special Olympics Australia, it is evident that many individuals with intellectual disabilities have hidden talents that can be uncovered through sport. The club aims to make these abilities visible and provide a platform for individuals to showcase their skills and talents.
By participating in Special Olympics Clubs - Macarthur, individuals with an intellectual disability can not only engage in sports and recreational activities but can also build self-confidence, improve their physical and mental health, and form meaningful connexions with others in the community. The club believes that everyone, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of sports.