Special Olympics Upper North Shore athletes with intellectual disability are preparing to take on the national stage, representing New South Wales at the National Games in Melbourne from 19 to 23 October across tennis, swimming, basketball, gymnastics and dance.
“I cannot wait to compete in swimming at the National Games in Melbourne,” Nathan said.
For Nathan Whitty, the countdown was on.
The swimmer is preparing to compete at the National Games for the first time, after entering his first swimming competitions in 2022. Whitty now trains three times a week and has his eyes set on the medals.
“Hopefully, I will get some medals to hit a jackpot,” he said.
Whitty started learning swimming when he was 13 and joined the Special Olympics program at 20. When he was selected for the National Games, Whitty felt excited and said it gave him “new opportunities to thrive”.
“It’s changed my life and a whole new world and I love being part of Special Olympics. It finds a new home for me.”
For the first time in the National Games, DanceSport will be included as a demonstration sport and Nalyn, who is part of Team NSW, felt excited and “very proud to be part of it”.
“I am happy because DanceSport will become an official Special Olympics sport at the next National Games, this means there will be a competition pathway for athletes who love dance,” she said.
Nalyn started dancing when she was 5 and joined Special Olympics nearly 20 years ago and has had opportunities to represent the club at events beyond competitions.
“We’ve performed at some amazing events, a few years ago our Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore (SOSUNS) Hip Hop Group performed at a Special Olympics Australia Gala Dinner at Luna Park. It felt so good to represent our club at this very special event.”
The 38-year-old is currently an Assistant Dance Instructor of the weekly Hip Hop classes at the Special Olympics studio and is excited for other athletes to learn the Closing Ceremony dance.
“I am really excited that we will be running workshops and teaching dance to other athletes who would like to join us in the Closing Ceremony.”
Michael Karseboom, who will compete in basketball at the National Games, first tried the sport when he was 11 years old. About 23 years later, his commitment to basketball has remained strong.
“I attended the very first possible training session at Upper North Shore, I have barely missed a training session since then,” he said.
The 34-year-old has represented New South Wales three times before, including his first time in high school and also representing Australia at the Interpacific Games in 2013. While competition is important to Michael, he believes there is more to the sport than winning.
“Winning isn’t everything,” he said. “Trying my best is what’s important.”
As the tennis coach for the state team, Lisa Catto believes the most heartwarming experience is seeing the athletes support each other and how important friendship between athletes can be. At the 2022 Nationals in Launceston, athletes supported their friends from different states that they saw every four years.
“It was so heart-warming that the TA Tasmania Official, during his end of tournament speech, commented that ‘neurotypical players have a lot to learn from all of you’,” Lisa said.
Lisa believes watching the athletes compete makes the behind the scenes work as a sports coordinator for SOSUNS Club worthwhile.
“I cannot express how proud I am of these amazing human beings. It makes all my work in this role worthwhile and brings tears to my eyes to see them competing with such a great outlook, overcoming their anxieties, physical and intellectual difficulties they face on a daily basis. I couldn’t be prouder of the Special Olympics community.”
For these athletes, that sense of determination and pride is captured in the Special Olympics Athlete Oath:
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
This motto reflects the core values of Special Olympics, where the organisation provides training sessions for people with intellectual disabilities across sports like basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, gymnastics and dance. Through these programs, athletes are given opportunities to build skills, confidence and form friendships in a supportive environment.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics in Australia, which will be celebrated as athletes from all over the country compete for the National Games that run every four years.
Special Olympics also engages in fundraisers and community events to support its athletes. The Charity Challenge Golf Day on 22 October is an upcoming event that helps raise funds and awareness for the organisation.
For the Upper North Shore club, 12 athletes were selected to represent NSW across tennis, swimming, basketball, gymnastics and dance at the National Games.
Whitty hopes his achievements will be something that people around him can celebrate.
“It would make my friends, my families and some of my supporters really happy.”
If you would like to know more about Special Olympics or to help volunteer, please contact: [email protected]
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