Special Olympics New Zealand

Special Olympics changes lives. Special Olympics New Zealand is first and foremost a sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability, but it provides athletes with far more than the physical benefits of sport.

It’s about fun, friendships and team spirit; it’s about a feeling of belonging, and ultimately improving quality of life. Special Olympics changes lives in so many different ways.

Through sport, athletes develop both physically and emotionally, they make new friends, realise their dreams, and feel a sense of belonging.

Special Olympics enables them to achieve and win not only in sport but in life too.

What we do:

• Sports
• Events and Games
• Athlete Leadership Programmes
• Clubs, schools and transitioning
• Law Enforcement Torch Run
• Health screenings and health education and promotion

The Healthy Communities initiative was introduced in 2017 with the aim of bringing an integrated approach to sports which includes health and athlete wellbeing. The Healthy Communities vision is to promote the health and wellbeing of athletes and to ensure they have the same access to health care and health promotion opportunities as other members of the community.

Working together with health practitioners and other key stakeholders, Special Olympics wants to ensure effective follow-up for athletes further to the health screening offered. Please contact healthycommunities@specialolympics.org.nz with any enquiries or offers of assistance. We value your input.