Special Olympics Clubs – North Coast, a Ten Pin Bowling club in Coffs Harbour, is excited to promote a local Ten Pin Bowling event for interested players. This event is a fantastic opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities to showcase their skills and participate in a competitive and inclusive sporting environment.
Special Olympics Australia has partnered with Gymnastics Australia to enhance the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in various sports, including Ten Pin Bowling. This partnership aims to create more opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to get involved with and enjoy the sport.
The organisations have collaborated over the past three years to promote inclusive sport programs that focus on developing participants' physical literacy. Gymnastics Australia's CEO, Kitty Chiller AM, expressed her excitement about extending the partnership and promoting Ten Pin Bowling as an inclusive sport for people of all abilities.
One major commitment of the partnership is the leveraging of the Australian Government's Sporting Schools initiative. This will allow for a specifically adapted program for students with intellectual disabilities, providing them with the opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills. Since 2018, over 40 programs have been successfully delivered to approximately 640 participants in NSW, the ACT, and Victoria. These programs are delivered by accredited coaches in the Young Athletes coaching course developed by Special Olympics Australia.
The partnership also addresses the challenges faced by Special Olympics clubs and Ten Pin Bowling clubs. Special Olympics clubs will gain access to facilities and qualified coaches, which they often struggle with, while Ten Pin Bowling clubs will have the opportunity to run this program during quieter times of the day.
This exciting partnership aims to continue growing the Young Athletes program nationally, providing recreational Ten Pin Bowling as a pathway for young children with intellectual disabilities into Special Olympics club training.
For more information about the Young Athletes program, please visit Special Olympics Australia's website and Gymnastics Australia's webpage. You can also view the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations to learn more about their commitment to promoting inclusion in sports. Join Special Olympics Clubs – North Coast in supporting this Ten Pin Bowling event for individuals with intellectual disabilities and be part of an inclusive sporting community!
