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Scholarships

Scholarships

The purpose of a scholarship is to afford people with intellectual disability and/or autism in the community the ability to be included as a Special Olympics athlete within their chosen club and
sport of choice. Eight scholarships are available every calendar year to support the growth of Special Olympics and encourage greater participation as we truly value what the program will bring to those who are limited in accessibility.

The scholarships have been created for people that are experiencing financial hardship and need support to get involved with Special Olympics in the first instance. The involvement with Special Olympics in a broader scale will provide community connections and support, friendships, exercise through sport and teamwork, challenge and engagement. These necessary social skills and support networks will assist in greater encouragement, direction and growth for the athlete in various aspects of their overall wellbeing.

Download a copy of the information from this page by clicking here.

What is Covered

  • Two Years Special Olympics Registration Fee
  • Club Polo Shirt
  • Sport Equipment or attire to aid in equitable participation (if required) for nominated sport by negotiation (ie basketball shoes/tennis racquet/bathers etc)
  • Transport (to and from), accommodation and entry fee for the State Game
Scholarship Value: Approximately $650
Application form coming soon

Who Can Apply?

Two years allows for time to adjust, engage, enjoy and form a foundation of support. This time also provides for financial advice to be sought and club support with hardship and payment plans moving past the two-year timeframe. The timeframe is agreed upon application and set at
2 years. Financial guidance referrals are provided at the time of application to assist the athlete in remaining engaged past the two-year milestone.

A check in with athletes who have a scholarship with LETR will be made at the 12-month point, this will include engagement with the club to discuss a plan forward well in advance of the two-year milestone.

All applications, financial referrals and club interaction will be completed in the strictest of confidence to protect the dignity of the athlete. The responsibility of this function sits with the President of LETR VIC.

Who Can Apply?

Any person who meets the Special Olympics participation criteria of having an intellectual
disability and/or autism and,

  • Is not covered by NDIS for participation and/or,
  • Cannot afford to pay the registration fee and associated costs up front and,
  • Cannot immediately commence hardship payment plan with ease

How Do I Apply?

  • Complete the attached application form
  • Visit the Special Olympics Victoria website to review sports and clubs that are available to you in your local area. Contact details are on the website. Decide what sport and club you would like to join. (Consider transport/accessibility and what you will require to successfully participate such as equipment/uniform etc)
  • Email the completed application form to LETR VIC: secretary@torchrun.org.au for review.
    You will receive a reply to acknowledge receipt of the application.
  • You will be invited to have a confidential conversation with the President of LETR
    surrounding your hardship so that details can be obtained of your situation, and a plan
    can be organised for the best steps forward to support you.

When Do Scholarships Open?

Scholarships open on the 1st of January every calendar year. Prospective athletes will be advised on the 30th of January as to whether their application is successful.

If an individual reaches out at another time of year, this will be assessed and considered based on circumstances and be reviewed 12 months from the commencement date.

If you are not successful, a plan will be discussed with you to enable you to reapply or be linked into a club who can offer further support via a Special Olympics payment plan.

Special Olympics Programs

Athlete Leadership Program
Athlete Leadership Program - Awards and International Scholarship
Athlete Mentoring
WAIVER TERMS & CONDITIONS

Background

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) conducts a wide range of events throughout the year in support of Special Olympics Australia. These events serve both to raise funds and to promote awareness of Special Olympics activities at local, state, and national levels. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to:

  •  Bunnings BBQ fundraisers,
  • Polar Plunge events,
  • Torch Run and associated supporting activities,
  • Sports carnivals,
  • Club, regional, state, and national sports and games events,
  • Winter sports programs,
  • Athlete Leadership Programs,
  • Family fun days,
  • Special Olympics program events.

These events are organised by Law Enforcement Torch Run (Victoria) Incorporated in collaboration with Special Olympics Victoria and Special
Olympics Australia.

Participation in these events may involve physical exertion and/or risks inherent in recreational, leisure, or sporting activities. It is important to note that:

Participant Responsibilities:

Event organisers do not possess knowledge of individual participants’ physical abilities or disabilities. Accordingly, they are not reasonably able to assess, nor do they accept responsibility for assessing, the safety of an individual’s participation. Each participant is responsible for determining their own fitness and capacity to engage safely in the event.

On-Duty Status for Victoria Police Employees:

Victoria Police employees may attend LETR events in an “on duty” capacity, but this status must be granted and confirmed in advance. In most cases, securing “on duty” status is the responsibility of the individual participant and must be sought through the appropriate command structure. Event organisers may facilitate this process where explicitly stated. 

By participating in LETR events, participants acknowledge these terms and
accept all associated risks inherent in the activities.

Terms & Conditions

By agreeing to enter the Event, the participant:

  1. Agrees that they have been sufficiently advised of the potential risks, dangers and hazards associated with attending the Event.
  2. Agrees that at all such times while attending the Event the participant’s property and person is at their own risk.
  3. Wholly assumes and accepts all liability for the materialisation of any risks, dangers and hazards associated with their actions in attending the Event.
  4. Agrees to participate and voluntarily assume the risk of injury or bodily harm to themselves on attending the Event and participating in any activity at the Event.
  5. Agrees to abide by any lawful instructions given by the employees, agents and volunteers of the Event Organisers, and further agrees to indemnify the Event Organisers and its employees, agents and volunteers, against all liability that may incur, including legal costs, caused or contributed by the participant’s negligence or failure to comply with such instructions.
  6. Agrees to ask for any additional information or explanation about the Event or a particular activity at the Event should they not fully understand the Event, an activity at the Event, or any instructions about participating in an activity at the Event, prior to attending the Event or participating in any activity at the Event.
  7. Acknowledges that the purpose of this document is, to the maximum extent permitted at law, to exclude any liability for personal injury which may be incurred by the Event Organisers or its employees, agents or volunteers, arising out of or in connection with your attendance at the Event or participation in any activities at the Event.
  8. Acknowledges that on occasion, promotional videos or photographs may be used by the Event Organisers which may include your image while attending the Event and consents to this use unless you specifically request the Event Organisers in writing that your image not be used for this purpose.
  9. Accepts with full knowledge that there is a risk of injury and accident associated with attending the Event or participating in activities at the Event, and accepts that they will not have any claim of any nature against the Event Organisers or their employees, agents or volunteers, for any illness, injury or adverse change in medical condition or state of health, arising directly or indirectly from attending the Event, or participating in any activities at the Event.
Agree and continue
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