Simply the Best

Special Olympics the True Winners

Special Olympics Australia took centre stage on Saturday night and although the Bulldogs earned two competition points claiming the inaugural Special Olympics Cup, it was Special Olympics Australia who was the real winners.

The Special Olympics Cup marks a new era in sporting history, expanding a partnership between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Special Olympics Australia in providing a platform for thousands of Australians with an intellectual disability to reach their personal best both on and off the sporting field.

Special Olympics Australia took centre stage on Saturday as Bulldogs in the Community’s round 13 community partner. Numerous volunteers gave up their time to assist the cause, bucket collecting around the ground and on the concourse at merchandise hut 132.

The true highlight of the game was the 12 Special Olympic Athletes who took centre field in a very inspiring and entertaining pre-game performance of Tina Turner’s classic “Simply the Best”. Dressed in their sparkly blue and white outfits the group who have spent the past couple of weeks perfecting the moves had the crowd captivated, eliciting a round of applause from all who watched.

Bulldogs comedian and ground commentator Rob Shehadie had a chat to Special Olympics Athlete, Mel Eustace who spoke to the crowd about what the Special Olympics means to her.
“We train, play sport, make friends and have healthy and happy lives,” said Mel. “Special Olympics is not about being the best, it is about participating and reaching your personal best.”

Following their performance the group proudly formed the guard of honour with the Belles cheerleaders, loudly cheering the players on to the field. Post game a special presentation was held on field with Arvind Naidu, owner of Retravision who proudly donated $5000 to Special Olympics CEO, Gill Stapleton.

Special Olympics ambassadors Steve Turner and the Rabbitohs Michael Crocker, filling in on behalf of Roy Asotasi took their place on stage with two of the Special Olympics athletes. The athletes presented the Special Olympics Cup to winning Bulldogs Captain Michael Ennis, before having a group photo on stage and on the field with the winning Bulldogs team.

The Special Olympics Cup will be an ongoing reciprocal game which will be hosted by the Rabbitohs in 2013. The Bulldogs may have come away with the two points on Saturday, but the game truly highlighted the Special Olympics and the power of sport to benefit our community and great causes such as the Special Olympics.

Want to win the Match Ball?
Saturday’s game ball signed by the Special Olympic Ambassadors Steve Turner and Roy Asotasi as well as Captain’s Michael Ennis and Michael Crocker is up for grabs. For your chance to win the game ball go to http://www.specialolympics.com.au/events/cup and make a donation.
All donations made prior to 5pm, Wednesday, June 6, 2012 will be placed in a draw for the ball.

Story & Images courtesy of the Canterbury Bulldogs Website