Partnership between Gymnastics Australia and Special Olympics Australia

The Blue Mountains Nepean Basketball club in Sydney is excited to announce a special basketball event for Special Olympics Clubs. In collaboration with Special Olympics Australia, this event aims to promote the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in basketball and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their skills and love for the game.

This partnership between Special Olympics Australia and Gymnastics Australia has already seen great success in promoting inclusive sport programs across the country. By integrating Special Olympics competitions into state basketball competitions, more individuals with intellectual disabilities will have the chance to participate and experience the joy of playing basketball.

The Blue Mountains Nepean Basketball club recognises the importance of physical literacy for individuals of all abilities. Through this event, participants will have the chance to develop their basketball skills and engage in friendly competition. Basketball provides a platform for individuals of all ages to boost their confidence, enhance their physical literacy, and motivate them to lead active lives.

As part of this partnership, the Blue Mountains Nepean Basketball club will be leveraging the Australian Government's Sporting Schools initiative to offer a tailored program for students with intellectual disabilities. This program builds upon the success of Special Olympics Australia's Young Athletes program, which focuses on developing fundamental movement skills in children aged two to eight. The club has already delivered over 40 programs to approximately 640 participants in NSW, ACT, and Victoria.

The collaboration between the Blue Mountains Nepean Basketball club and Special Olympics Australia benefits both organisations. Special Olympics clubs gain access to facilities and qualified coaches provided by the basketball club, while the basketball club can offer programs specifically designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities during quieter periods.

For more information about the Young Athletes program and how you can get involved, please visit the Special Olympics Australia and Gymnastics Australia webpages. You can also find detailed information about the partnership and the initiatives it encompasses in the Memorandum of Understanding between Special Olympics Australia and Gymnastics Australia.

Join us for this exciting basketball event and help us promote inclusion and diversity in sports!