Special Olympics NG AUS 2010

20th - 23th April 2010

Dedicated 4 days out of my 2 weeks study break to experience Special Olympics~!

As requested, I've been assigned to basketball sector of this annually held game!

Which I was truly exited about before it all began~

So, coming into the game without any knowledge about the behaviour and skills level of the athletes and people with intellectual disability, I couldn't stop imagining things that might possibly happen during the game, mostly positive but also some worries...

Until that very moment when I talked to a group of guys from the Men's team of VIC (or NSW even QLD, I can't remember) about where the toilet was and whether or not they could use it...

Their reactions towards my help were something that I have never expected AT ALL

They were kind, warm and really thankful...which I could clearly see in their eyes

This, is what you couldn't see normally in your life (well, if not, in my normal life)

Eyes with no intention or other thoughts behind them

Eyes with unlimited depth that you could look in all day without any fear in any way

From that moment on, I know I was off to a great great week ahead!!!

Waking up 5.30am to catch a bus and arriving at home around 5pm everyday

I have never felt reluctant to drag myself up from the warm and comfy bed all week

Although I must say I was tired all week because of lack of sleep

But I had never regretted doing so, I knew I would have something special to see everyday on the basketball court, where I spend my both of my happy and sad times on

This time, as a spectator......

Inspired moments just kept on coming and they touched my heart every single time...

These are the things that you normally would not see on the court:

Your opponent runs down from the other end of the court to tell you NICELY that it is your ball and you need to come up to the other end to inbound it

Your opponent pats your back and cheer you up when you're frustrated after missing an easy shot and he says "Try again next time~"

Players cheer for themselves and run back to defence with their arms up in the end like a soccer player who scores a crucial goal...while they scored 2 points in the very first few minutes in the 1st quarter

Your opponent or even the opposing team's coach gives you a big HIGH 5 when you score a nice bucket or a 3 pointer

Players from both teams gather on the court after the game to form a big circle to celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics and cheer for each other, as well as the referees and game scorers

Nice coaches that never scream or shout at their players, they only give HIGH 5, talk nicely and pat on the back for the players no matter how well they played

Moments like these are truly inspiring to witness

Tears could have easily flowed out from my eyes, and even the other volunteers'

We were just so happy to see that the athletes were enjoying themselves with no regards of the outcome

One thing that I always wonder since years ago...

Why is it they look so young, every single one of them?

Is it because it's harder for happy people to get old??

Pretty believable for me...

They focus on one thing in their life at a time and they strive to do their best in every attempt

Although they might not achieve the best result

They still have done a great job, you can see in their eyes and feel it with your heart

These 4 days while I was over there in the venue

All I did was filling in the names in the scoresheets, send the scoresheets out, collect the scoresheets, typing in the scores into computer and print out summaries of the scores...sometimes assist Suzy (our supervisor) during the halftime shooting contest

Other than that, I was nothing different compared with the spectators

A proper basketball game which they actually stop the clock when it's supposed to be stopped is nice to watch and it's definitely exiting even if you're not the player

There were probably 30+ games over these 4 days and I must say I enjoyed all of them~

Every game has something special for me to learn and remember

Suzy, as mentioned, our supervisor

Is a long time SO volunteer for 8 straight years

Although she just gave birth to a baby girl 3 months ago, she still would not give up this special event

One stunning fact is that she is a ABA (Australian Basketball League) player, which means she's pretty gooooood~

And I have also met and work with famous ABC radio broadcaster Peter Walsh (right) and met Australian Female Basketball Olympian Rachel Sporn, also three Adelaide Crows that I could not remember the names :b (Sorry...)

It's good to have people who loves basketball to give back to basketball~

And it's definitely nice to work with Suzy!

The reason that I fell in love with this volunteer work is because of the differences I saw between the SO players and those casual players that I need to referee every monday and tuesday nights

Some of those casual players are just a bunch of self-centered guy that they think they know more about basketball than the referees while they're only playing in C/D/E grades (3 of the lowest grades in social basketball)

Why couldn't people just be nice and normally referees would talk and explain nicely back?

They would rather argue, you think it's cool? No, you're not cool at all~

SO players have way more EQ than you~

Another surprise of the week~

Finally got my hands on my new handphone~

Sony Ericsson X10!!!

Got it this wednesday and it has been amazing since~~~

Love it!!! lol~

Back to the title -.-'''

Yea, now I can proudly look back and say "I have not wasted my holidays!!!"

I did everything I could to revise during the first week knowing I would not have much time during the 2nd...

Hopefully it would help...:b

SO, an event that I will definitely remember for the rest of my life~

And guys, I will not forget what you've taught me during these days~

"LET ME WIN, IF I CANNOT WIN, LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT"