Media Release
Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance to support Special Olympics
Date: Thursday 11/02/2010
More than 3000 family members and supporters of the Special Olympics will benefit from a
major new partnership with the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance.
The Alliance is providing $30,000 as naming rights sponsor of the Families and Supporters
Program for the Special Olympics 2010 National Games.
The Games will be held in Adelaide from 19 – 24 April, showcasing the sporting abilities of
more than 900 Australian athletes with intellectual disabilities.
AWD Alliance CEO, John Gallacher, said the Alliance was proud to be involved in such a
worthwhile endeavour.
“As an Alliance we know first hand the importance of partners in getting the job done and we
hope that through our contribution we’ll help make the National Games in Adelaide a
memorable experience for athletes’ families and supporters.
“We are also encouraging our staff to volunteer for some of the many behind-the-scenes roles
essential to making this event happen smoothly,” said Mr Gallacher.
Special Olympics 2010 National Games Board Chair, Ms Judy Potter, said the AWD
Alliance’s funding would ensure an unforgettable visit for athletes’ families and supporters.
“We thank the AWD Alliance for its generous contribution – the involvement of families and
supporters cannot be underestimated – in fact it is vital to the success of our athletes,” said
Ms Potter.
The Families and Supporters Program sponsored by the AWD Alliance will include provision
of a Families and Supporters Centre based at Glenelg, a Families and Supporters barbeque
at Adelaide Zoo and a Siblings Program that will free up parents to cheer on their athletes as
they compete.
The National Games is expected to involve about 5,000 people from around Australia
including athletes, families, supporters, officials and local volunteers, and pump more than $3
million into the South Australian economy.
The AWD Alliance is working to deliver three Air Warfare Destroyers to the Royal Australian Navy. It is
made up of the Defence Materiel Organisation, ASC as the Shipbuilder and Raytheon Australia as the
Combat System Systems Engineer. The first ship, HMAS Hobart, is scheduled for delivery in 2014.
Special Olympics transforms the lives of Australians with intellectual disability through sports
participation and competition.
For further information contact:
Bronwyn Coles
Jenny Daly
Alliance Communications Officer
Games Director
AWD Alliance
Special Olympics Australia National Games
+61 8 8165 7520
+61 8 7220 7274
+61 434 313 043
+61 448 882 855
bronwyn.coles@ausawd.com
jennyd@specialolympics.com.au
NEWS 
