The SOSUNS Performance Dance Group, in their capacity as Australia Day Ambassadors, were recently invited to perform at Jindabyne, Adaminaby, Berridale and a local Aged Hostel.  Ambassador Mel Eustace spoke in all locations and really connected with the audience.  The dancers performed with their usual enthusiasm dancing each dance as though it was their first.  With 15 dances over the 4 locations their energy was incredible!

Fran and the girls have a rest stop

After each performance the dancers took the time to introduce themselves to locals, something that was immensely appreciated.  They met the Mayor and other officials, had a huge number of photos taken and endeared themselves to everyone.  “The SOSUNS dancers made this the best Australia Day ever!!” said many of the locals.  The parents of the dancers, who are not all biased, agreed wholeheartedly with this sentiment.

Still a long way to go!

 
In their free time (their very little free time), the dancers and parents had great fun taking the chairlift partway up Mount Kosciosko and then completing the 6km trek to the top of the mountain and then 6km back.  Everyone rose to the occasion and were proud to pose on top of the highest mountain in Australia with the Australian and Special Olympics flags.   It really was a moment where disability was put aside and ability shone through.  Needless to say that with a lot of puffing the parents made it too.

Yes Stewart, you made it!

It was another great Australia Day for the SOSUNS Performance Dance Group as they spread the message of inclusion and pride of being an Australian.

Ten year old Belinda Scott has found her calling in life and it is to run.  Belinda just loves to run.  According to Belinda’s mum Gillian, “The highlight of Belinda’s week is running training and during the summer Little Athletics and in the winter, Cross Country.  Belinda’s only concern in life is that she will be late for running!”

It has been an extremely succesful year in competition for Belinda.  In the primary schools athletics competition she has competed at a regional, state and national level.  The highlight was Belinda’s 2nd in the 800m and 4th in the 200m at Nationals which were held in Darwin.

At the Sydney North Regional Competition Belinda won the 800m and came second in five other events.

Since starting weekly athletics training early in 2011 Belinda has improved in enormous leaps.  At a recent Little Athletics meet Belinda achieved a 65 second personal best in the 1500m - proof of the potential of this brilliant athlete.

“The enthusiasm that  Belinda has for athletics and the self confidence it is giving her is contributing to success in the classroom,” according to Gillian who was very proud to attend Belinda’s school presentation where she won a class award.

At the recent SOSUNS Christmas party Belinda was awarded the Athlete of the Year trophy for athletics for the second year running.  Showing her versatility Belinda also won Most Improved for cricket.

Belinda is certainly a star to watch, especially in 2012 where one of her goals is to compete in the Special Olympics Junior National Games to be held in Newcastle in December.

Three SOSUNS athletes were given extremely important roles to play in the 2011 Campaign. 

Mel Eustace was chosen to be an ambassador which involved her speaking at an event.

Audrey O’Conner was chosen as the ‘face’ of the Campaign and thoroughly enjoyed a day of modelling which result4ed in the photo of her on the cover of the Campaign magazine.  Have a look at the video of Audrey enjoying her day of modelling which has been placed on the SOSUNS website homepage.

Finally, our very own SOSUNS musician, Stewart Abbott, was given the honour of playing a medley of three songs with John Foreman at the Campaign Launch.  John Foreman was thrilled to have the honour of playing with Stewart who did a fantastic job.  Click on this link to watch Stewart.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ogOB7WhpY

The Brickpit
Dartford Road
Thornleigh
Sunday: 4pm - 5:30pm
Contact: Anthea Karseboom  0418 778 869  antot@hotmail.com

North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre
Cnr of Clarke and Oxley Rds
Crows Nest
Sunday 4pm - 5pm
Contact:  Tina Kitromolides  0411 243 374    tinakit@optusnet.com.au

SOSUNS athletes had a great time ‘rocking around the Christmas tree’ at the recent Christmas party.  Games of cricket and a delicious lunch of sausage and salad rolls generously supplied by Franklins and Epping Eastwood Lions Club was enjoyed by all before the heavens opened and we all retreated inside.

The fun continued with everyone getting together to reminisce about the fanastic personal achievements of athletes, the funny and inspirational moments at training and in competition and to thank all of those who make it happen.

Everyone was delighted to be entertained by the Ryde Dance group.  The singing and clapping of the audience as they joined in with the dancers’ rendition of Grease medley showed just how much they appreciated the skill and joy of the dancers. 

The rain did not stop athletes enjoying a wack at the pinata which while soggy and wet still proved very difficult to break.  Being careful to give the bigger athletes a wide berth everyone had great fun giving the pinata at least one hit before eagerly scrambling for lollies.

It was an honour to have representatives from Franklins and Lane Cove Storage King attend the party.  Franklins supplied most of the food for the day, a couple of volunteers (Sam, Susie and Amelia) to help run the sports and to top it all off presented SOSUNS’ Chairman Paul Phelan with a $1500 cheque which will be used to directly cover sports costs for SOSUNS athletes.

Lane Cove Storage King have supplied SOSUNS with free storage for two years now.    This is very much appreciated and it was great to be able to thank Brennan and David in person.

Sam, David and Brennan thoroughly enjoyed their job of presenting trophies and ribbons to athletes nominated by their coaches as ‘athlete of the year’ or ‘most improved’.  As their names were called out the athletes bounded to the stage delighted to receive this recognition for their efforts in 2011.

Despite the torrential rain a great time was had by all and it was unanimously agreed that 2011 was wonderful and we all look forward to an even better 2012!

SOSUNS currently has 7 dance groups catering to all age groups and levels of ability.  Join us for fun, dance and an improved social life.  
See our dance timetable for details.

Here you will find days, times, locations and contact details for the SOSUNS dance programs.

Turramurra Uniting Church hall
Turramurra Avenue, Turramurra
Monday: 5pm - 6pm 
Contact:  Sangeeta Suresh 0422 951 904
sangeeta@russellsymes.com.au
Monday: 6pm - 7pm
Bryan Walsh  9449 2727
walbande@tadaust.org.au 
Tuesday 6pm - 7pm (Performance Group - invitation only)
Contact: Jo Abbott 0418 638 921
jo.abbott@network21.com.au

SOSUNS Thornleigh and North Sydney basketball groups have recently celebrated a great year with parties enjoyed by athlete and coaches.

Sadly, after two years of coaching, Hugh, Lachie, Paddy and Sophie are heading off to travel the world and will therefore not be able to continue coaching at North Sydney next year.  Sports Coordintaor, Tina, responded to this news from the coaches saying, “The coaches have been such a positive influence on our kids!  Their enthusiasm, positive vibe, kindness and skill in not just showing the kids how to play the game but also effectively communicating how it is all done has been brilliant.”

Hugh reflected on his enjoyment of the last two years, “We thank you for giving us the opportunity to coach such great people.  In trusting us you have made the journey a very special one for us all.”

Fortunately we look forward to another fantastic year of basketball as Thornleigh coaches Rod, Josh, Nick and Jeremy and North Sydney coaches Chris and Nick can continue and even bring along some friends to join the coaching team.

It has been an amazing couple of weeks for the SOSUNS Performance Dance Group with the group in huge demand and spreading their joy at many events.

The group was delighted to be invited to the recent Governor’s morning tea.  No one knew exactly what to expect but everyone thought that they would be part of a larger group of people meeting the Governor that day.  Nothing could have been further from the truth.

As the Group waited for the Governor to arrive at Government House her Chief of Staff showed them the area in which they were to perform.  The Governor came and introduced herself and spoke to each athlete explaining the significance of some of the paintings on the wall.  It was at this time that everyone realised that this event was just for the SOSUNS dancers.

The dancers performed, just for the Governor, and were rewarded with heartfelt applause.  The Governor then served morning tea and invited the dancers to stroll around the garden where she explained the history of the gardens and buildings.

The Governor was so gracious and generous with her time.  When she left the dancers all waved her off, thrilled with the knowledge that this had been just for them.  How privileged and special it made them all feel!

The sounds of laughter, cheering for teams, the slap of high fives, yells of encouragement and congratulations - these and more rang out from the ovals of Abbotsleigh at the recent Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore Inter Schools Sports Carnival.  It was with extreme relief that the organisers, athletes and volunteers woke to no rain on the carnival day and thanked Sydney’s recent ridiculously unpredictable weather for choosing this day to shine!

Athletes enjoy the police torch run

The carnival kicked of with an opening ceremony fashioned on the actual olympic ceremony.  Athletes were
high fived and cheered as they marched around the oval and then gasps of awe rang out as they turned to watch the police torch run.  Led by a police motorbike and car the police were accompanied by some very excited athletes who helped them to run the torch up to the cauldron.  The athletes truly kicked up their heals as they bounded along so excitedly.

Lara and Neha light the cauldron

 Lara and Neha had the honour of lighting the cauldron and watching the flame catch was a highlight of the day.

Ready for ball games

The Athletes Oath was then very proficently recited by two St Edmund’s students before the crowd was truly wowed by the singing of the National Anthem by the amazingly talented Neil Doland, a former Cromehurst student.

Soccer was popular

An Oakhill College volunteer joins in the athletics

The carnival was now ready to begin and 250 athletes, 100 volunteers and 55 teachers and aides scattered to their assigned sports for session 1.  The 27 teams of athletes representing 12 schools enjoyed sports such as athletics, t-ball, soccer, cricket, newcombe ball, target games and tenpin bowling.  Competition was fierce but always friendly as athletes from competing teams hugged and congratulated each other. 

Owen smashes the t-ball

Three sessions of sport were played with breaks for morning tea and lunch when athletes grabbed the opportunity to meet up with old friends and make plenty of new ones as well.  An impromptu game of   tug-o-war broke out and more than one volunteer found themselves wet after athletes threw wet sponges at them.

Volunteers from NAB, Abbotsleigh, Oakhill College, Barker College, SOSUNS and SOA enjoyed a great day with the athletes making loads of new instant best friends and enjoying the delight of the athletes as they took a break from school for a day of sport.

Abbotsleigh volunteer Beth, makes a new friend

Thank you very much to our sponsors - IGA Wahroonga who provided most of the food, Abbotsleigh for allowing us to use their grounds and sports equipment and also provided sausages and onions and the following organisations who lent us marquees for the day - Bendigo Bank Berowra and North Epping, Riverview College, Mount St Benedict College, Knox and SONSW.

A Barker College volunteer helps out an athlete

Competition on the day was extremely close but all athletes were ecstatic to be awarded a ribbon.  The winning school, awarded with the prestigous perpetual Special Olympics trophy, was Pennant Hills High School!

SOSUNS was very proudly represented by Alistair Hyman who came a creditable 7th place in the Alpine Division of skiiing.

Races were held in skiing and snowboarding with levels from beginner to advanced being catered for.