TORONTO, ONTARIO — Nov. 17, 2020
Special Olympics, the global inclusion movement dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities through sport, and Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, are expanding their partnership to include five regional markets across the globe to help scale Special Olympics sport and coach development programming at the community level. The regional markets include Illinois, New York and Southern California in the United States, Ontario, Canada and Australia.
Launched in March 2020, the four-year global partnership is dedicated to improving and delivering highest quality of coach training and sports experiences that empower Special Olympics athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to face their future with confidence.
"Special Olympics changes the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability," said Mike Trojan, Special Olympics Ontario coach. "As a coach (and parent) of an athlete, I can honestly say that it's also changed my life in many ways. Coaching and watching athletes flourish and gain confidence, as they practice and train gives me a great sense of pride and accomplishment."
With nearly all in-person training and competition on hold due to COVID-19, Special Olympics and Gallagher have continued to find new ways to make an impact on the local level through virtual engagement and support. Globally, Gallagher and Special Olympics are launching a content series that features Special Olympics athletes and Gallagher employees (former pro and semi-pro athletes) sharing valuable lessons learned in their sport that translate to leadership skills on and off the field of play.
"Gallagher is extremely proud to be teaming up with Special Olympics by delivering support in several local communities where we live and work, and will open the door for more people with intellectual disabilities to learn teamwork, improve their fitness, and develop confidence," said Chris Mead, Gallagher Chief Marketing Officer. "Through our shared belief of acknowledging and respecting the abilities of one another, the partnership will help improve critical elements of Special Olympics programming and support coaches in their dedication to athletes within these local markets and around the world."
Gallagher is the Official Sponsor of Special Olympics International Sport and Coach Programming, focused on the movement's mission to deliver the highest quality of coach training and sport experience to nearly six million Special Olympics athletes with and without intellectual disabilities across the globe. Special Olympics Ontario is proud to recognize Gallagher as a Major Sponsor, as the Authorized Sponsor of Sport and Coach Development of Special Olympics Ontario, and the Official Insurance Broker, Risk Management & Consulting Partner of Special Olympics Ontario. Gallagher was also the Presenting Partner for the first ever-virtual Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Awards Ceremony that took place on in October.
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and our blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.
About Special Olympics Ontario
Special Olympics Ontario is dedicated to enriching the lives of Ontarians with an intellectual disability through sport. With over 26,000 athletes across the province and 18 different sports, Special Olympics Ontario promotes an active and better quality for the athletes. In doing so, the organization focuses on building communities of acceptance and inclusion for all people. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn. Learn more at www.specialolympicsontario.com/.
