By LIAM TWOMEY
MELBOURNE West hosted its first regional games in Special Olympics aquatics earlier this month with athletes achieving outstanding results at the Victoria University pool.
With a team of 18 swimmers eagerly waiting to show what they could do on the big stage, athletes from Melbourne West produced 16 personal best times out of the 52 events.
The good news didn’t stop there though, with swimmers coming within one second of their personal best times in a further 25 events during the day of competition.
Melbourne West chairman Gavin Dovey congratulated all swimmers on their outstanding efforts.
“We have a great group of athletes at Melbourne West who give it their all when either competing or training for their chosen sports,” he said.
“We are lucky to have a dedicated group of coaches who give their all to assist and teach our athletes, as well as a group of volunteers and parents who support our athletes in their endeavours to enjoy what they do.”
The Western Region of Special Olympics Victoria was established in mid 2009. The Region covers the local government areas of Hobsons Bay, Wyndham, Maribrynong, Brimbank, Moonee Valley as well as the Shire of Melton.
The aim of Special Olympics is to provide sporting and social opportunities for people of school age and above who have an intellectual disability.
Currently Melbourne West has 36 registered members who take part in aquatics, basketball, athletics, tennis, tenpin bowling and golf.
In the future the club is also planning to introduce dancesport competition.
Special Olympics competition is structured to allow all athletes the chance to represent their region at Regional Games throughout Victoria and if successful, go on to represent their state and even country.
Melbourne West is also on the look out for more members.
The club can be contacted via email on melbwestsov@gmail.com.
“The region is run by volunteers so it would be remiss of me not to also appeal for any member of the community who may wish to assist us as a volunteer or indeed if you are in a position to assist us financially by way of a donation,” Dovey said.
