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Mission: 

To provide year round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.

Principles:

Athlete centred, locally delivered, weekly participation by volunteers and supporters.

Our athletes who compete in Special Olympics, develop improved physical fitness and greater self confidence.  They exhibit courage, enthusiasm and build lasting friendships.  These life skills enhance their ability to live a normal productive life.

Special Olympics athletes hold jobs, own homes, go to school and successfully confront challenges on a daily basis.

The Special Olympic movement can ultimately transform communities by inspiring people to open their minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Waikato has a committee of volunteers who meet monthly, 150 registered athletes and 24 volunteers.

Committee 2017: Bex Viner (Chairperson), Kara Lockhart (Vice Chairperson) Nicky Johnsen (Secretary), Melissa le Prou (Treasurer), David Bevan (Swimming Coach), Luci-ana Kokaua (Basketball Coach), Yuri Gladlyn (Football Coach), Paula Wyeth (Athletic Coach), Becca Taylor (10 Pin Coach), Kara Lockhart (Equestrian Coach), Bryce Johnsen (Power Lifting Coach), Kym O'Grady, Melissa Donoghue, Charlotte Aroa, Alex Johnsen (Athlete Reps), Rodney Tarrant (Van Driver).

There are about 280 intellectually disabled school children in the Waikato who we would like to see registered with Special Olympics Waikato.  So this is our aim to encourage their parents and caregivers to come along to our events and see the enjoyment the athletes get from taking part in our sports.

Your Donation will go directly towards helping people with an intellectual disibilty participate in sport more often.