Bringing Strengths Together
It’s easy to think of partnerships as transactional agreements between organisations – a give-and-take where each side contributes and receives something of value.
While some partnerships work that way, the most meaningful ones often set out to accomplish something more. They are communities of organisations, funders, educators, volunteers and families, each bringing different strengths, skills and networks, united by a shared purpose.
Partnerships help Special Olympics New Zealand reach more people, strengthen communities and create more opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through the Affiliate Partnership Programme and other valued relationships, organisations can play to their strengths, extend their reach and help create opportunities that might not otherwise exist, in ways aligned with their own values.
The partnership between School Sport Canterbury and Special Olympics New Zealand is an example of what this can look like in practice.
School Sport Canterbury promotes and organises secondary school sporting events across Canterbury and the West Coast at local, regional, South Island and national levels, creating opportunities for students from Years 9 to 13. While Special Olympics New Zealand has expertise in creating inclusive sporting environments, delivering programmes and activities, and supporting pathways for people with intellectual disabilities.
Over time, the relationship between the two organisations has evolved into something much bigger than simply working alongside one another.
It is also supported by a network of people who all play an important role: teachers, who understand their students and, together with families, provide the encouragement and continuity that helps young people feel confident enough to try something new; volunteers and coaches, who create environments where everyone feels welcome; and funders, whose support is essential in sustaining and growing programmes so more young people can take part.
Together, School Sport Canterbury and Special Olympics New Zealand now support over 200 students through 20 to 25 activities and events each year, ranging from weekly participation opportunities and “have a go” sessions through to athletics, cross country and competitive events.
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Partnership in Practice
For School Sport Canterbury Regional Sports Director Jon Derry, successful partnerships recognise the strengths each organisation brings and connect them intentionally.
“Our core business is bringing school sport together,” says Jon.
“We coordinate and create the framework that allows students to participate. The Special Olympics New Zealand team brings the expertise and delivery, and we support that with the means to make it happen.”
“What we’ve got at the moment is amazing. Young people with intellectual disabilities can experience sport at lots of different levels – from festival participation and have-a-go opportunities right through to representing and competing in championship events.”
The partnership not only creates opportunities for students, it also helps School Sport Canterbury deliver on its vision of providing quality inclusive sporting experiences for every student. Through Special Olympics New Zealand, School Sport Canterbury can ensure students with intellectual disabilities are included and celebrated in school sport. The partnership has created opportunities for students to experience sport in different ways while also helping build pathways beyond school. By connecting young people with Special Olympics New Zealand and its wider community, it opens doors to lifelong participation, friendships and opportunities to continue growing in confidence and independence long after their school years.
As an example of lifelong participation and wider community opportunities, you can read Hunter’s Special Olympics New Zealand experience here.
A Shared Commitment to Equity
At the heart of the partnership is a shared belief in equity.
Jon says education encourages schools to think about every student and what they need to engage and experience success. In sporting environments, attention can focus on those who are already gifted, talented or performing at a high level.
“When you’re in a school environment, you talk about every student,” he says.
“If you see a student struggling with literacy, you don’t take the reading book away. You look at what support or opportunities they need to engage. You consider what a quality experience looks like for everybody.”
“Not everyone’s going to be an All Black, but everybody can have a lifelong love of sport and being active. That can contribute not only to education-based outcomes, but their lifelong toolkit to experience success throughout their life, make friends and learn to connect with people.”
More Than Sport
Those outcomes can extend far beyond sport.
While participation builds confidence, connection and a sense of belonging, it can also create pathways into leadership, advocacy and lifelong involvement in communities. These opportunities help people discover strengths and interests, take on meaningful roles and continue growing, contributing and thriving long after their school years.
A Celebration of Commitment
Over the years, opportunities have grown, communities have formed, and what began as an informal relationship has become something much more enduring.
Jon believes opportunities that communities have embraced and come to rely on deserve more than goodwill alone. They should be nurtured, strategically supported and sustained.
“This can’t just be what’s happening next week,” he says.
“It has to be formalised. It has to be ingrained in the culture of what our organisations do to work together to affect opportunities.”
For Jon, that is what this partnership represents – a celebration of commitment.
Partnerships such as this reflect the thinking behind Special Olympics New Zealand’s Affiliate Partnership Programme and many of its other collaborations, recognising the strengths each organisation brings, connecting them intentionally, and creating sustainable opportunities that help people participate, belong and thrive.
Interested in Partnering With Us?
If your organisation would like to explore ways to support people with intellectual disabilities through sport, education, health or community initiatives, we’d love to start a conversation. To learn more about the Affiliate Partnership Programme or discuss how we can work together, please contact us.