Special Olympics - Melbourne Inner East

30/11/2025

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 MIE Award Winners! 🎉
🖤 Robyn Cook OAM Volunteer of the Year – Rick Gatto
Rick has been an invaluable member of MIE, bringing exceptional coaching and administrative support to our Bocce program. His commitment is second to none — always prepared, organised and dedicated to helping our athletes thrive on and off the courts.
Humble, generous and deeply respected, Rick is loved by athletes, parents and carers. We are incredibly grateful for everything you do. A truly well-deserved award! 👏

💛Athlete of the Year – Harry Sencek
Harry truly embodies the spirit of Special Olympics and what it means to be part of the MIE community.
He displays outstanding sportsmanship, participates in multiple sports, and brings determination, enthusiasm and kindness everywhere he goes.

Known for his friendly nature, he’s always up for a chat and has a talent for lifting the spirits of those around him. Harry consistently supports new athletes and coaches, helping others feel welcome and included.
His dedication to both MIE training and higher-level sporting opportunities reflects his commitment, courage and resilience.
An incredible role model — congratulations Harry! ⭐

💛🖤 We’re so proud of both Rick and Harry. Thank you for everything you contribute to our club and community!

30/11/2025

What an incredible celebration with our Melbourne Inner East community at the 2025 MIE Christmas Dinner and Disco Party!

Athletes, families and volunteers came together for a night filled with great food, good music and plenty of festive spirit. The energy on the dance floor was electric and the 360-degree photobooth captured so many brilliant moments of joy and connection.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed raffle donations, more than 60 prizes were on offer, a fantastic show of support from our community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to those who worked behind the scenes to make the event possible. Your support helps create meaningful opportunities for our athletes to connect, participate and thrive.

Wishing all our athletes and families a safe and happy holiday season!

20/11/2025

Swimming into the weekend 🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️

20/11/2025

: Sophie

Since joining Special Olympics - Melbourne Inner East in 2018, Sophie has become a proud and passionate competitor in both Artistic Gymnastics and Alpine Skiing. She also plays basketball on Friday nights and has dreams of taking the footy field in the future.

Sophie first found her love of sport through family. Inspired by her older sister, she stepped into gymnastics. A love of the snow followed, leading to ski lessons and then ski racing through the Multiclass Sports Association - Victorian Snowsports.

What Sophie enjoys most is the team environment. She loves training and competing with her Balwyn Gymnastics Club teammates and cheering each other on. On the slopes with MIE, she loves racing alongside her friends and celebrating their achievements.

Her coaches Tara and Aisha have played a huge role in helping her grow as an athlete. Sophie also credits her family for their ongoing support at training, competitions and every step in between.

Sophie’s proudest moment so far is representing Australia at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin 2023, where she delivered an incredible performance in Artistic Gymnastics and won two gold medals. She was later honoured with the Australian Sports Medal at the Victorian Parliament, a moment she describes as surprising, exciting and very special.

Sport has helped Sophie build confidence, communication skills and leadership. In her own words: “I have learned the value of having friends, always supporting each other, and being kind to yourself and others. I have also had to work hard, do my best, and keep trying to improve my skills.” She has made great friendships in gymnastics, skiing and basketball, and says her friends always make her happy.

Looking ahead, Sophie has a clear goal. She is aiming to compete at the Special Olympics Australia National Games in Melbourne in 2026 and to qualify for the World Games in 2027.

We are so proud of everything Sophie has achieved so far. Her hard work, kindness and determination inspire us all. Keep going Sophie. We cannot wait to see what comes next!

18/11/2025

Wishing all our MIE athletes born in November a very happy birthday! Sending birthday wishes to Sophie D, Richard M, Tony P, Luke P, Melissa T, Lisa R, Patrick T, Peter T, Marcel V, Lachlan M, Brinley S, Cameron O, Caden B, Isaac W, Jackson L, George P, Tara H, David R, Kirstie N, Ian M, Julian M and Caitlin J!

12/11/2025

🏊‍♀️ Our swimmers were flying through the water last night!
A huge effort from everyone working hard on all strokes, kicking drills and technique — definitely not an easy session!

Keen to find out how to join one of our MIE sports programs?
Reach out to Sarah — MelbourneInnerEast.Sport@specialolympics.com.au 🖤💛

03/11/2025

A fun-filled weekend across all MIE sports! 🌟
From boundaries on the cricket field, to laps in the pool, bocce athletes enjoying a great training session, and our gymnasts celebrating with a spooky Halloween-themed session — there was action and smiles everywhere! 🎃💛

Want to know more about joining our sports programs?
Get in touch with Sarah – MIE Sports Coordinator
📧 melbourneinnereast.sport@specialolympics.com.au

27/10/2025

💦 SPLASH is back this November!

Join us at MSAC on Thursday 28 November, 5pm for an evening of fun, teamwork and fundraising.

👉 Register here: http://bit.ly/3KMecgd

November is set to be unforgettable. SPLASH returns - and for the first time, it’s happening in both Melbourne and Sydney on the same night!

SPLASH Melbourne: MSAC, 28 Nov, 5pm
SPLASH Sydney: Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, 28 Nov, 4pm

SPLASH is a unique swim relay and fundraising event that brings together corporate teams, community spirit, and our athletes - all in support of Special Olympics Australia.

Dive in and register today:
Melbourne: http://bit.ly/3KMecgd
Sydney: http://bit.ly/4qe13Ne

26/10/2025

🎳 STRIKE!
Another great week of bowling with our MIE crew — full of fun, focus, and a few lucky strikes! 😄

We love seeing our athletes improving week by week and cheering each other on.

Interested in joining the team or coming to try?
📧 melbourneinnereast.bowling@specialolympics.com.au

19/10/2025

🎁 MIE Christmas Hamper Donations! 🎁

We’re getting ready for our annual Melbourne Inner East Christmas Party and raffle on Saturday 29th November — and we’d love your help! 💫

We’re putting together Christmas hampers filled with festive goodies, and we’re calling on our amazing MIE community to donate items like:
🍰 Christmas cake or shortbread
🎄 Decorations or serviettes
🥫 Tinned foods, sauces, or beverages
🍬 Nuts, sweets, or cards

If you can donate, please bring your items to your next sports training and give them to your Sports Coordinator.
Alternatively, you can arrange to drop them off to Trish Goodrem.

📩 melbourneinnereast.social@specialolympics.com.au
📞 0419 339 994

Thank you for helping us spread a little Christmas cheer this season ❤️💚

19/10/2025

☀️ A fun, sunny, and busy morning on the track for our Athletics athletes!
A great combination of jumps, throws, and sprints — with another huge burst of energy all around! 💪✨

Interested in joining the program or want more information?
Contact Ingrid at 👉 melbourneinnereast.athletics@specialolympics.com.au

18/10/2025

The countdown is on!!!!

The countdown is ON! ⏰🎉

In 1 year, Melbourne will host the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games - a celebration of inclusion, determination, and the power of sport!

From October 19-23, 2026, Special Olympics athletes from across Australia will showcase their talent, compete in their sports and come together to celebrate the Special Olympics movement. Who's excited? 🥳

The 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games are supported by the Victorian Government through the Significant Sporting Events Program.

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