EVENTS AND SPORTS

Local:

Special Olympics is a voluntary community based organisation offering year round sports training and competition in over 40 towns and cities around New Zealand. Training is organised weekly for 44-46 weeks every year by volunteer committees for adults. Training and compeitition for school-aged athletes is organised by Special Olympics, with the help of partner organisations.

National:

Special Olympics New Zealands' National Summer and Winter Games are held every four years and bring together teams representing local committees and schools.

• The next National Winter Games will be in Central Otago 2011.
• The next National Summer Games will be in Dunedin in 2013.

International:

Special Olympics World Games are the flagship event of Special Olympics worldwide. World Summer and Winter Games are held every four years.

• The next World Summer Games are being held 2011 in Athens, Greece.
• Info about the previous World Summer Games in Shanghai can be found here.
• Info about the previous World Winter Games in Idaho can be found here.

Sports Rules

Across all levels of competition Special Olympics provides Sports Rules that are standardised to ensure ALL athletes of ALL abilities have the opportunities to participate and the adjudication process is fair and equitable..

Special Olympics sports competitions are intended to operate in accordance with rules established by the International Federations (“IF’s”) and National Governing Bodies (“NGB's”) of each sport.

The Sports Rules are intended to modify, where necessary, IF and NGB rules. In cases where IF or NGB rules are in conflict with the Sports Rules, the Sports Rules shall apply.

These rules are reviewed annually and Special Olympics coaches volunteers, and staff are encouraged to suggest any rule changes they feel are appropriate

Recommendations that are made by Special Olympic Athletes, experienced coaches, family members and volunteers play an integral part in the review process and do bring about change or clarification.

The timeline for New Proposed Rules Changes must be in to National Office no later than 1st April 2009 in order that we can meet the SOI deadline of 15th April.

Anyone who wishes to see changes to any Special Olympics rules this is the once in year chance to do so!

If you have any sports rule/s you would like changed complete the appropriate SONZ Proposed Rule Change Form For 2009 and return it to Mike Ryan by 1st April 2009. Proposed change forms will be collated and Special Olympics New Zealand who will then forward them onto Special Olympics Inc.

The formal process that the proposals need to go through and any suggestions made are considered across the globe by lots of various parties at different levels of the organization before a final decision is made.

Latest changes to SO Sports Rules

You can view a summary of changes for the Winter Rules, Summer Rules as well as for Article 1 by clicking on the appropriate link below.

Should you require any further information regarding the above or anything to do with the latest rules please do not hesitate to contact the National Sports Manager for Special Olympics New Zealand, Mike Ryan via email: miker@specialolympics.org.nz

Guidelines and Principles of SO Sports Rules

Article 1 – Guidelines and Principles of Special Olympics Sports Rules provides the General Rules that apply to sports training and competitions and guidelines to help implement some of the general principles.

Sports Offered in NZ

For information on the sports rules used at Special Olympics events please click on the  link below. This will direct you to the Special Olympics Inc web sites’ Sports rules pages.

New Zealand offers a selection of the sports that are listed on these pages, EXCEPT for Indoor Bowls as this is a locally recognised program. Rules for Indoor Bowls can be accessed via the specific link for that sport. (Please note these are as per IBNZ current rules).

Please check with your local club or Special Olympics New Zealand for further clarification.

Sports commonly offered by clubs in New Zealand are:

Summer:- Bowling/Tenpin, Athletics, Aquatics/Swimming, Basketball, Football/Soccer, Indoor Bowls , Bocce, Golf, Equestrian, Powerlifting. Badminton and Table Tennis are also offered, however these later two are considered Developing Sports within our programme by the national body of Special Olympics New Zealand

Winter:- Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Floor Hockey, Figure Skating

For a more detailed list of sports offered by each club please refer to the Training Offered section above.

Please note a recommendation will shortly be made to the Board of Special Olympics New Zealand regarding which WINTER sports we will support from 2009 onwards.

This is seen as a very necessary step enabling Special Olympics New Zealand to use the resources available for the greatest benefit for all of our Athletes.

Special Olympics Winter and Summer Sports Rules

Indoor Bowls Sports Rules

Summary of Rule Changes 2009