Special Olympics Australia and Gymnastics Australia Partnership

North West Basketball Club in Devonport is excited to announce a local Basketball event for Special Olympics Clubs. This event is a wonderful opportunity for interested players to showcase their skills and passion for the game.

In partnership with Special Olympics Australia, Gymnastics Australia is working towards enhancing the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in various sports across the country. Over the next three years, these two organisations will collaborate on initiatives aimed at increasing participation pathways for individuals with intellectual disabilities, including integrating Special Olympics competitions into state basketball competitions.

The partnership between Special Olympics Australia and Gymnastics Australia has already yielded impressive results in promoting and delivering inclusive sport programs. These programs focus on developing participants' physical literacy, ensuring that they have the foundational movement skills and capabilities to stay active throughout their lives.

Kitty Chiller AM, the CEO of Gymnastics Australia, expressed her excitement about extending this partnership and promoting basketball as an inclusive sport for individuals of all abilities. She emphasised that basketball provides individuals with the necessary skills and experiences to develop physical literacy, ultimately giving them the confidence and motivation to lead active lives.

As part of this partnership, Special Olympics Australia and Gymnastics Australia will take advantage of the Australian Government's Sporting Schools initiative. This initiative will enable them to offer a specially adapted basketball program for students with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, they will continue to grow the Young Athletes program, which helps children aged two to eight, with and without intellectual disabilities, develop fundamental movement skills.

The Young Athletes program has already achieved great success, with over 40 programs being delivered to approximately 640 participants in NSW, the ACT, and Victoria. This program not only benefits the participants by equipping them with essential movement skills, but it also benefits both organisations by providing access to facilities and qualified coaches.

Furthermore, this partnership will open up recreational basketball opportunities for young children with intellectual disabilities. It will serve as a pathway into North West Basketball Club's training program or the Gymnastics Australia's Kindergym program, ensuring that these children have the chance to continue their sporting journey.

North West Basketball Club is proud to be a part of this initiative and is excited to host this local Basketball event for Special Olympics Clubs. Interested players are encouraged to attend and showcase their talent in a supportive and inclusive environment. We look forward to seeing you there!