SPECIAL Olympics Melbourne West held its annual Aquatics Games at the Victoria University pool last week.
With 90 swimmers with intellectual disability from nine Special Olympic regions around Victoria in attendance, the pool deck was afloat with eager participants and their equally enthusiastic cheer squads.
The event was opened by State Labor MP Justin Madden, who stayed to hand out ribbons to the competitors.
The swimmers were also delighted to have 2008 and 2012 backstroke Olympian Belinda Hocking in attendance.
Twenty swimmers from the Melbourne West region were proud to host the event at their main training pool and the crowd was thrilled with many close and exciting finishes.
With 37 personal bests out of 57 individual events, the swimmers and their volunteer coaches are now preparing for the Special Olympic State Games which will be held on the first weekend in April.
Melbourne West also had six swimmers (Danielle Williams, Deana Horvat, Brad Doolan, Ben Morrison, Travis Tankard and Patrick Getson) in the Victorian aquatic team for the Special Olympics Australia National Games.
The National Games will see athletes with intellectual disability from all over Australia participating in a range of sports in Melbourne for the week.
The Melbourne West swimming group trains regularly at Victoria University and squads also operate at YMCA Derrimut and East Keilor Leisure Centre.
The coaches are dedicated and teach people a wide range of skills to ensure swimmers feel comfortable and over time build up their confidence, swimming skills and fitness as well as make new friends.
Special Olympics Melbourne West, as a region of Special Olympics Australia, is a volunteer driven program which offers a pathway for children and adults with an intellectual disability to train and compete in a number of sports in the municipalities of Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and the Shire of Melton.
The region is looking for new athletes and volunteers to help promote sporting opportunities for people with an intellectual disability.
To find out more about Special Olympics Melbourne West or get involved as an athlete or volunteer, ring Gavin: 9374 1804 or email the secretary: melbwestsov@gmail.com
