By RUSSELL BENNETT
“LET me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
That was the time-honoured oath spoken by hundreds of athletes at Cardinia Life stadium in Pakenham on the weekend for the Victorian Special Olympic Games.
Athletes from the Barwon, Ballarat, Dandenong Valley, Echuca Campaspe, Gippsland, Melbourne Eastern Ranges, Melbourne Inner East, Melbourne North, Melbourne Southern, Ovens and Murray and Mildura regions stood tall next to the South Australian team on centre court in front of a large waiting crowd as Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay officially declared the games open.
And a host of athletes from across Casey and Cardinia converged on Pakenham and Narre Warren to compete in the games’ basketball and ten-pin bowling competitions.
Competitors from a dozen Victorian regions joined a squad from South Australia to brave the cold at Cardinia Life’s stadium for the opening ceremony on Saturday.
The games celebrated athletes with an intellectual disability and featured a Special Olympics torch, which was carried inside the stadium for Mr Lay to light the flame, signifying the official start of the games.
Referees boss Alan Lee oversaw the large number of basketball games held at Cardinia Life. He, along with a host of other referees of varying levels of experience, jumped at the chance to be involved.
“It’s a great show of good sportsmanship with all the players and coaches knowing each other and getting along really well,” he said.
“There’s no arguing, there’s no disputing calls, there’s just a lot of players enjoying the game of basketball.”
Alan is a highly-experienced referee, having officiated in Big V, SEABL, and even American College games.
But on the weekend, he could barely be torn away from Cardinia Life.
“There’s nothing better than basketball like this,” he said.
“There’s a Melbourne Tigers tournament on in Dandenong right now but our referees would rather be involved here.
“With some of these players, when they’ve made a field goal it’s like they’ve just won a million dollars.”
New South Wales referee Linda Buckeridge was head-hunted specifically to come down and officiate in the weekend’s Special Olympics competition, and has already been invited to be a part of next year’s National Special Olympics.
“My eyes lit up when they asked me,” said the 45-year-old.
“I was just thrilled to bits!”
Like Alan, Linda’s refereeing history is a long and varied one. She has officiated in a host of elite leagues and competitions, but the weekend’s Special Olympics was a real highlight.
“I just find it really rewarding to give back and help anyone I can just enjoy their sport,” she said.
“When I see players go through the highs, lows and even the pain – you go through it all with them.
“It’s not like refereeing any other game.”
Linda helped lower and fold the Special Olympics flag at the closing ceremony on Sunday, something she was honoured and humbled by.
She’s already been asked back for the national Special Olympics next year and she has a word of advice for those with an intellectual disability who are considering stepping into the world of basketball.
“Just go for it!” she said.
“The feeling is awesome.
“Don’t be shy – it’s all about having fun and meeting new people.”
“You’ll never know if you don’t try.”
