THE YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAMME
The Young Athletes Programme is an innovative sports play programme for children with disabilities, which aims to strengthen physical development and self-esteem by building movement skills for future sports and recreation participation and socialisation.
The programme engages children through developmentally appropriate activities such as walking, running, throwing, striking, trapping and catching, designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development.
THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
The National Secondary Schools Programme provides sports training and competition opportunities for those under 21 and currently operates throughout New Zealand with over 2000 young people actively participating.
At present the programme involves training in a particular sport for 4-6 weeks and then participation in a competition (Ribbon Day). To make the competition fairer the students are divisioned on ability so that they are competing against others of the same ability. This allows everyone to achieve.
Generally one to two sports are offered each term (with local variations), these are – Athletics, Aquatics, Basketball, Football and Tenpin Bowling.
Through sport, students are learning important skills through sport that they can use in future life situations (team work + socialising), and their successes help build self confidence and self esteem, plus all the health benefits this activity offers the athletes.
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CLUB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Special Olympics New Zealand Staff are working alongside local communities, clubs and schools to ensure that young people with special needs - and their parents/caregivers, are aware of ongoing sports training and competition opportunities outside school, like the 38 Special Olympics Clubs around New Zealand.
With 16 sports on offer, athletes can train regularly in their chosen sport (s) and progress from local to regional, national and even international levels if they desire.
Training is organised weekly, fortnightly or seasonally depending upon the sport’s requirements. Clubs operate for 40-42 weeks of the year and are managed by volunteer committees.
By joining a club now, students have the opportunity to meet people, develop a network outside school and enjoy a lifelong involvement in sport and recreation.
“I took our son down to Athletics last week and it was amazing. I have never seen him so happy and it’s the first time I have ever seen him fit in anywhere. He was so proud of himself when he came second in a running race…. it was the first time he didn’t come last in his whole life". (Parent Testimonial).
For further information contact Melissa Sims on 04 5600 357 or via email
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