Athletes Enjoy Brilliant National Games

Exciting!  Party!  Friends!  Clapping and Cheering!  Fun!  Best time of my life!  I feel like a hero!  These are just some of the words used by athletes to desribe the recent 2010 National Games held in Adelaide.  For one week family, supporters and volunteers were treated to sport played at the highest level, displays of inspirational sportsmanship and athletes brimming with pride and enthusiasm.

Twenty one SOSUNS athletes had the honour of representing NSW at the games.  Each athlete trained extremely hard for up to four years leading into the Games and are truly deserving of the medals, ribbons and congratulations that have come their way.

The highlights over the week were many but just some include:

• Ash hitting the line in his doubles tennis match against the reigning world tennis champion.
• Tom winnning gold on his last putt. Who knew a caddy (Tom’s dad) could jump so high in celebration!
• Nathaniel making friends at the closing ceremonty with the police horses.  Perhaps we will see Nathaniel competing in the equestrian evets at the next games.
• Jimmy running 5 steps out of the hitters box to smash the ball in softball.  Shame it was a foul.
• Deb and Harry having a great time jumping on the outdoor jumping pillows.
• Andrew carefully shaving Alistair, so cool and calm and then heading out to play catcher and plucking those balls from no where.
• Mel taking the world’s highest catch.
• James and Tom so excited to collect their bronze medals in the soccer.
• Our swimmers, Lauren, Ashlie, James and Bec with multiple medals dangling around their necks.
• Elissa, Deb, Aileen and all the athletes dancing the night away at the Closing Ceremony. 

Every one of our SOSUNS athletes who attend their weekly sports training session has the opportunity to compete at a regional, state, national and international level.  Some are happy with playing sport for fun and fitness while others have a passion to represent at the highest level.  These athletes are out swimming in the early hours of the morning, sweating on the soccer pitch, catching and hitting in the middle of summer out on the sports field, shooting the baskets and hitting that tennis or golf ball, again and again and again.  As these athletes have proven, hard work, dedication and passion can lead to participating in and enjoying the wonderful experience of the Special Olympic National Games.

For stories, photos and individual results of SOSUNS athletes please check click on sport tabs on this website.   

Train hard everyone - the next Games in Melbourne is only four years away!