Special Olympics World Games 23: From Currambine to Bicton to Kalgoorlie, WA’s best athletes are off to Berlin

In a matter of days the world’s largest inclusive sports event will kick off. The Special Olympics World Games are the pinnacle of the Special Olympics competition pathway.

Over 7000 athletes with an intellectual disability — from over 190 countries — will compete in 26 sports over nine days in Berlin between June 17-25.

Special Olympics is a sports organisation for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Perth is currently the front-runner bidding city to host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games.

WA’s only director on the national board of the Special Olympics Association Tanya Brown said it was a chance to use sport as the catalyst for inclusion — and to achieve a lasting legacy for people with intellectual disabilities.

“It is so genuine, real and amazing to be part of a community coming together to give opportunity where there isn’t enough or (when) it is really tough to make the opportunities happen,” she said.

“The joy shared by the athletes playing sport and the stories on the sidelines with the families and carers are where the passion comes from. It is unbridled, inspiring and filled with awe and laugh-out moments, it is special to me.”

At the 2023 world games, Australia is sending a delegation of 64 athletes and 28 volunteer officials, including eight from WA to participate in the largest humanitarian event in the world.

Kim Huela-Smith, 25, Currambine — Swimming

At a very young age, Kimmy as she prefers to be called, enjoyed playing in the water having started swimming lessons with her siblings learning the different strokes.

She gradually improved and overtime became aware of the Aquamotion Dolphins program for people living with a disability.

“Whilst swimming at Aquamotion one person who we became acquainted with told us about Special Olympics and that she would be able to enrol and train at the arena in Joondalup,” mum Freda said.

“From here onwards people like Dot Shipard helped her to join into the different swimming tours and teams which opened a new world to her — a world of friendships with people who loved swimming, just like she did.”

As Huela-Smith improved, she began to swim competitively and is now a regular competitor in the open-water swims at Mullaloo, Sorrento, Rottnest and Busselton jetty.

Being born with a condition of “partial agenesis of the corpus callosum” — Huela-Smith has had her fair share of challenges.

Some people with the condition may not be able to walk or sit up by themselves, caused by a part of a structure in the brain which failed to develop.

In Huela-Smith’s case, she’s had to persist for a long time when it comes to learning something new — but once she had worked it out there was no stopping her.

“Swimming competitions are a challenge for Kimmy amongst other things like needing help with counting laps, what strokes to swim and when, where she has to go (lane) and getting registered at the place of the competition,” Freda said.

“She has often missed her event . . . (but) Special Olympics coaches and officials understand this and almost pre-empt her race before she gets worried or lost.

“Kimmy has a very positive outlook in life and takes things in her stride. She likes to greet and talk to her friends about Special Olympics and the joy of being part of a group is infectious to her.”

Making her debut at the world games, Huela-Smith will be taking part in the 200m and 400m freestyle races in Berlin, as well as the relays. She earned qualification after winning gold at nationals in Tasmania.

“She was ecstatic when the phone call came to say that she has a place on the team and has since not stopped talking about going to Berlin,” Freda said.

“She is proud to represent Australia and has worked extra hard to make sure she gives the competition her all and will be delighted to come home with a medal.”

Troy O’Neill, 38, Kalgoorlie/Belmont — Basketball

Being the only athlete from regional WA, Troy O’Neill spent a fair share of his primary school years in Perth having also played tee-ball and baseball in Belmont.

Now, soon to be dressed in green and gold, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder star wears his best smile each time he steps inside a court — leaving not only his defenders in the dust but also his difficult past.

The 38-year-old was recently diagnosed with a mental health illness and also lives with an intellectual disability, autism and ADHD. But he is deciding to see it all in a different light.

“For me this has been all normal. Like there’s nothing different about me . . . I still play abled-bodied sports so there hasn’t been anything different,” O’Neill said.

“It has been good because I get to play against people who enjoy the sport and you can’t tell if there’s any difference between them or myself.

“I am just enjoying playing the sport. I’m not that good at it . . . I am not that great, but being able to play is an enjoyment.”

O’Neill was one of seven athletes from the Goldfields who attended the Special Olympics National Games last October representing the State.

The WA basketball team, featuring O’Neill, finished runner-up during the competition in Tasmania. Having impressed on the national stage, the power forward earned the call-up to Germany.

“All of the coaches were watching and selection was based on your attitude, the way you play the game, and teamwork,” he said.

“Representing Australia in Berlin . . . is a great honour and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. I am confident that we should at least come home with a medal.”

This week O’Neill revealed to PerthNow that picking up a basketball in Kalgoorlie nearly six years ago saved his life.

“My brother and myself were living in South Australia for a bit . . . and (then) I was struggling with money and I eventually got kicked out,” he said.

O’Neill ended up sleeping rough for three months in Mandurah and with an empty wallet, it was difficult to get by.

“How I ended up on the streets was a financial one . . . it was hard to find work . . . and I had a gambling problem too,” he said.

“It was a few months but it was difficult because you’ve got to try to save everything because I am on medications as well.”

When a cousin found out about O’Neill’s plight, they helped him to get back on his feet and to return to Kal.

“It helped me (the move back) a lot because it was through sports and basketball I met my partner,” O’Neill said.

“Up until five years ago I was lost because I had stopped playing sport. Then I started again and found my wife and, yeah, it’s changed my life forever.”

O’Neill is a full-time carer for his wife Nichole Wells, who also lives with a disability. His love for basketball began in 1998 but he has also given Aussie Rules, cricket and touch rugby a go.

“My message would be to just do your best and remember that everybody makes mistakes no matter their ability levels,” O’Neill said.

In April, with the help of the community, O’Neill raised thousands of dollars to help cover the cost of the trip to the world games in Berlin.

“Going to the Special Olympics has been the peak of the sport for me,” he said. “The two countries I definitely want to compete against are the Yanks and the Kiwis and hopefully it’ll be a close game.”

Jaye Barnesby-Bui, 20, Bicton — Showjumping

WA’s youngest athlete to don the green and gold belongs in the equestrian team and is the top-ranked canter rider in the Special Olympics Australian squad, having won all of her classes at the national event last year.

The up-and-coming rider, who is diagnosed with both autism and anxiety, climbed through the ranks in showjumping and eventing levels in a number of Equestrian Australia competitions.

“My aunt owns five acres where we keep our horses, so I have been riding for the most of my life,” Miss Barnesby-Bui said.

Earlier in 2021 her grandfather bought a horse for her — the first she could call her own and it was named after her.

“I have almost fully paid him back for it. We have built a strong partnership and achieved so much together,” she said.

“I am extremely committed to this sport, I am riding every single day and competing on most weekends. My horse is my number one priority and I organise my life around her needs.”

Apart from equestrian, Barnesby-Bui is a national-level skier and snowboarder. Each year with family she makes the drive across to NSW to compete either at inter-school or Special Olympics Nationals slalom races, in hope for a call-up to the national team.

Barnesby-Bui aspires to become a primary school teacher one day when she completes her bachelor of education at Murdoch University. Besides studying and equestrian, she is also a swimming instructor to children with disabilities.

“I have a pretty hectic schedule that is constantly keeping me busy — always having somewhere to be . . . but I am living my best life and am excited to represent my country in Berlin,” she said.

Shaun Bartels, 39, Kinross — Swimming

Shaun Bartels is part of the Australian swimming squad. He has been with Special Olympics for over three years and used to swim for his province in South Africa. A fantastic all-round sportsman, Bartels loves sports especially rugby and cricket, while enjoys watching Aussie Rules. He plays cricket for Joondalup Kinross Cricket Club and has captained his side for the past two seasons.

Kerry Perkins — Volunteer

For many years Perkins has been working in the disability sector and joined Special Olympics WA over five years ago. She volunteered in a bocce coach role at the 2019 national games. She is now an integral part of the bocce program. She was again head coach for the WA team at last year’s national games and is now supporting the Australian team.

Mitch Roberts — Volunteer

Roberts is heading to the world games this year as head coach for basketball. It is a recognition of his ongoing contribution to the Special Olympics. In fact, Roberts has volunteered for the association for two decades. He supports the Special Olympics weekly basketball program and is well loved by all athletes.

Cait McGowan — Volunteer

For 24 years she has volunteered for the Special Olympics, first in the US then here in WA. From equestrian to basketball, through to winter sports she has done it all. She currently leads the athlete leadership program and has been to multiple national and world games as an official. McGowan herself was a junior Olympian skier.

Chris Newman — Volunteer

Newman has led torch runs for State games and other major sporting events. He set up Law Enforcement Torch Run’s inaugural polar plunge event at Hillarys ,raising more than $50,000.