Sport and Development: The Special Olympics

The tour is open to student enrolled in the Diploma of Sport and Development. This project gives the student the opportunity to stay and volunteer in the USA for two weeks. Giving them opportunity to understand and learn from the sport industry in the USA. From the 25 July to the 2 August 2015, Los Angeles, California will be hosting The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games. This event will cater for 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing over 170 countries, utilising 30,000 volunteers. This is slated to be the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event in 2015. This event would not exist without the commitment of volunteers. The main focus of this program is for the students to undertake a volunteering role which will provide an international work placement experience at an international event. The students will gain valuable experiences, developing skills and knowledge in the sport and recreation industry with a core focus on innovation and working with people with disabilities and the opportunity to participate in the life of one of the most culturally exciting, and stimulating cities in in the USA whilst travelling throughout destinations in Los Angeles.

Studies have indicated that there are beneficial effects to the attitudes of volunteers of Special Olympics toward the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, where positive contact increases social inclusion. In the city of stars, our students can learn that the participating athletes are the true stars.

The project goals are

• To continue to build a relationship with The Special Olympics.

• To provide Victoria University students with a hands-on experience and a unique study opportunity

• To give exposure to our students in a competitive event ...

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...en submitted, the will be a shortlisting of the students who have applied and then interviews will be held to determine the most suitable candidates. Consideration should be given to students identified as benefitting most from the overseas learning experience; for example, students who are more disadvantaged and are less likely to travel overseas for a similar experience on their own.

As many students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to lack the confidence to apply for opportunities, the program will be publicised to heavily to all students undertaking this course of study. Disadvantaged youth must be enabled to overcome conditions which deprived them. The use of a systematic mentoring / ambassadorial programme of students from previous tours can be established to support the student’s aspirations and giving disadvantaged young people access to role models.