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Message from the CEO

Carolyn introduces Nikki and Tony to the Special Olympics whānau, discusses the recent club consultations and talks about our new naming rights partner for the National Summer Games.

Wanganui athletes find confidence at the Downers Masters Games

Almost $10,000 was raised for Wanganui Special Olympics, but Jan Bublitz says the true victory was seeing the athletes grow in confidence when talking with the local community.

Athlete Input Council co-chairs announced

Introducing Ryan Smith and Grace Payne as our new co-chairs! Learn about their role and what happened at the first council meeting in Wellington.

Howick-Pakuranga’s wonderful walkathon

A creative idea from their Athlete Leader’s committee turned into a fundraising success for Howick-Pakuranga Special Olympics!

James Wilson’s nutrition tips

Stay in tip-top shape when training for competitions with Health Leader James Wilson’s tips on eating healthy and staying hydrated.

Balance is better coaches corner

As we near the end of the Tier 2 qualifying period, what sort of questions should coaches be thinking about in preparation for the National Summer Games.

Message from the CEO

7 May 2021

Carolyn Young CEO

Tēnā koutou katoa e te iwi

We are fast approaching the end of the qualifying period for National Summer Games so I hope that everyone is enjoying their training and preparation for competition. We look forward to seeing everyone in Hamilton in December. Planning at our end has taken a step up as we welcomed on board Nikki Cameron and Tony Molloy to the Events team last week.

Nikki is responsible for securing the 600 volunteers we need for the Games, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremony. Tony’s primary areas are Transport, medal ceremonies, logistics, accommodation & catering. Please join me in welcoming them to Special Olympics.

Special thank you to the clubs that have met with the Board and myself as part of the Club Consultation. The discussions are about what our structure needs to look like in the future to ensure we are prepared to meet the needs of a changing funding and legislative environment. We have had some great conversations and feedback, thank you for your input into our future.

We are looking to hold a zoom call at the end of the month for the clubs that have not been able to attend the meetings in person, or who might want to have other committee members or club members involved. Details of this zoom call will come out after the Board meeting on 14 May.

Soon there will be a formal announcement of the naming rights partner for the National Summer Games. The Freemasons New Zealand have come on board to support us and we are really excited about the opportunity. There will be opportunities for clubs to partner with Lodges to support your clubs planning, fundraising, committees and general volunteers. I have attended several meetings with the lodges and have received lots of positive feedback from Lodges wanting to help.

We are all about participation and giving our athletes and our clubs the best games experience, so we are extremely grateful to have Freemasons New Zealand on board to support us to do that.

Coming up later this month we have Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand, as a special guest for our Facebook Live. We are excited to be chatting to Raelene, so don’t forget to send your questions in to comms@specialolympics.org.nz or through our Facebook page!