Special Olympics Oxfordshire
What is Special Olympics?
Special Olympics is a global organisation that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to more than 2.25 million children and adults with learning disabilities in more than 160 countries. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late President John F Kennedy, in 1968. Special Olympics provides people with learning disabilities opportunities to realise their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.
Special Olympics Aims:
• To provide quality sports training 48 weeks in each year – to encourage fitness, commitment and discipline through sport.
• To provide as many Special Olympics athletes with the opportunity to participate, train and compete in as wide a variety of sports and events as possible.
• To provide quality Coaching.
• To help athletes develop social skills and build friendships through the interaction and team spirit of their sports training and competition.
• To provide athletes with the experience of new cultures when travelling board.
• To encourage athletes to compete and participate rather than have an emphasis on winning.
• To promote the inclusion of people with a learning disability in mainstream sport.
Who is eligible to participate in Special Olympics?
To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, you must be at least 8 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: learning disabilities, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed instruction.
However, persons whose functional limitations are based solely on a physical, behavioural, or emotional disability, or a specific learning or sensory disability, are not eligible to participate as Special Olympics athletes, but may be eligible to volunteer for Special Olympics as partners in Unified Sports® if they otherwise meet the separate eligibility requirements for participation in Unified Sports set forth in the Sports Rules.
Can individuals with profound disabilities participate in Special Olympics?
Yes, through Special Olympics' Motor Activities Training Program (MATP), developed by physical educators, physical therapists and recreation therapists. MATP emphasizes training and participation rather than competition.
What is happening in Oxfordshire?
The Oxfordshire Special Olympics Programme is being co-ordinated by OXSRAD Integrated Sports Centre.
Currently they have Boccia, Football and Tennis Sections and are looking to expand the sports offered with Table Tennis, Cricket, Netball and MATP (Motor Activities Training Programme) Sections opportunities being developed.
For further information about Special Olympics Oxfordshire and to register your interest please contact: Paul Guest (Chairman), e-mail: specialolympicsoxon@oxsrad.org Phone: 01865 741336 Address: OXSRAD, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane , Marston, Oxford. OX3 0NQ
Boccia Section
Training Tuesday 4.30-5.30pm at OXSRAD, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane , Marston, Oxford. OX3 0NQ.
Contact/ Head Coach: Paul Guest e-mail: specialolympicsoxon@oxsrad.org Phone: 01865 741336
Tennis Section
Various Training Sessions and Venues
Contact/ Head Coach: Chris Hand e-mail: cdhand@yahoo.co.uk Phone: 07970 481707
