Our Special
Olympics
Basketball, Nelson
Our Community
Imagine the sound of 36 basketballs in action all at the same time!
The many trips away each year create a change of scenery for our athletes that involves physical activity, working as a team and further bonding within the group.
But the benefits for the athletes relative to confidence, independence, expression, belonging and acceptance are beyond basketball - it is both a pleasure and a genuine privilege to see these athletes develop as people.
Pathways for Athletes
Special Olympics Nelson is a charitable trust administered by a board of trustees. Basketball is but one of nine sports provided for athletes.
Every fours years the NZ summer nationals are staged
(the next are in Christchurch in 2025)
And then every four years the World Summer Games are staged, the next will be in Jakarta in 2027. And at the world games, Basketball is 3 on 3 with teams of five athletes in each side, playing on a halfcourt, it is fast and furious.
Our Coach & Crew
Meet the Coach & Crew
Head Coach Josh Bloomberg began his coaching journey, teaching swimming programs for disabled youth.
Over the last two years he has coached two league-winning teams in the highly successful Fulton Hogan League, led by Nelson's Inclusive Sports Trust.
Having played social Basketball all his life and having coached the last two years, we are all very grateful for the passion, skills and energy Josh brings to this unique community.
Josh is a full-time caregiver for children and adults living with a disability.
In terms of hats, Josh and Dean largely look after our athletes, Stu looks after our sponsors but is otherwise a goffer for the wider family, always with a camera in hand
Join us
If you have a disability and love basketball, this is your invite!
If you have a disability of any type and you love Basketball, we’d love you to come along and train with us, every Wednesday night during school terms at Nayland College Gym.
We largely fill the gap between leaving school and remaining active, many of our athletes compete in three to four sports
Our Amazing Sponsors
What enables this community to work so well is a wide array of generous (community-minded) Nelson businesses. Without their support, we would not be able to achieve what we do. So you can support us by please supporting our sponsors whenever and wherever possible.
