Wanted: volunteers for sports program

The Special Olympics South West committee is seeking more volunteers to help coordinate the group’s growing sporting program which caters for people with an intellectual disability.

The 2016 season begins next month and will feature a number of sports including bocce, basketball, golf, swimming and ten-pin bowling.

Special Olympics South West chairwoman Allison Burnett said the not-for-profit group needed more volunteers to help deal with the increasing number of athletes.

“We are growing as a program but we are limited by the lack of volunteers, ” she said.

“Without that support we can’t continue to run the program and expand.”

Special Olympics South West committee members run the sporting program with the help of volunteers.

Last year, leadership students from Eaton Community College were involved in helping with the program.

Ms Burnett said all potential volunteers, regardless of their sporting background or experience, were invited to take-part.

“At the moment we need to fill all different types of roles, ” she said.

“Volunteering is not a carer’s role but a role to help athletes achieve their best.”

New Special Olympics South West volunteer Colleen Matthews said she was looking forward to joining the team and helping to run the program during the upcoming season.

“It is a great incentive that’s for sure, ” she said.

“I’m excited to get involved with it all.”