ABOUT US

Special Olympics is a year round programme of sports training and competition for young people and adults with an intellectual disability. Athletes can be as young as five and there is no upper age limit.

Special Olympics New Zealand is a registered Charitable Trust established in 1983.

There are over 5,000 athletes training and competing supported by over 2,500 volunteers (Coaches and Supporters) throughout the country.

Special Olympics New Zealand is accredited to Special Olympics International (SOI), who have their headquarters in Washington D.C., USA and is the official world governing body for Special Olympics programmes in over 180 countries.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Special Olympics began in 1968 with the First International Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Since then,
millions have benefited from the movement.To find out how Special Olympics all began click here

VALUES

Vision: The Special Olympics movement will transform communities by inspiring people throughout the world to open their
minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities and thereby celebrate the similarities common to all people.

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 Olympics athletes and the community..

Principles: Athlete centered, locally delivered, weekly participation, by volunteers, and supporters.

BENEFITS OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS

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

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

Through millions of individual acts of inclusion where people with and without intellectual disabilities are brought together through Special Olympics programmes, longstanding myths are dispelled, negative attitudes changed, and new opportunities to embrace and celebrate the giftedness of people with intellectual disabilities are created.

The Special Olympics movement can ultimately transform communities by inspiring people throughout the world to open their minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities and thereby celebrate the similarities common to all people.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees comprises individuals representing a wide cross-section of key stakeholder groups - Athletes, Family Members, Chairs of the five Regional Councils, medical expertise in intellectual disabilities, sports expertise and expertise in planning, business, legal, financial and communications:  

• David Rutherford (Chair)
• Robin Sheffield (Deputy Chair)
• Margaret Baker
• John Borkin
• Rob Cameron
• Annette Comp
• Rosanne Graham
• Merrill Holdsworth
• Toni Jones
• Glen Ward
• Dr Olive Webb

David Rutherford was elected Chair, and Robin Sheffield Deputy Chair, at the 2007 AGM.

MANAGEMENT

Alastair Hutchens was appointed Chief Executive in mid 2007.

Prior to joining Special Olympics, Alastair was Chief Executive at Loyalty New Zealand (Fly Buys) for seven years. Previously he had a wide-ranging, 26 year career in a number of retail management roles with the Royal Dutch Shell Group both in New Zealand and overseas.

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