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.
“As a longtime coach, I am grateful to Gallagher for their support of Special Olympics and helping ensure we receive the resources we need to make sure the athletes can continue to win on and off the field,” shared Adam Christin, Long Beach Area Special Olympics coach.
“Special Olympics helps me build self-confidence, experience joy and demonstrate courage. I am so grateful for Gallagher support,” said Lorna Murakami, Long Beach Area Special Olympics athlete.
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. In Southern California, the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge was implemented. As many of the athletes’ workouts have become virtual, Gallagher’s Southern California and South West colleagues joined in for a few training sessions with the athletes. 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 Southern California is proud to recognize Gallagher as a Silver Level Year-Round Sponsor and the Official Insurance Broker and Risk Management & Consulting Partner of Special Olympics Southern California.
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 Southern California
Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of 38,200 athletes and their communities through sports, leadership programs, and athlete health. Our free, year-round programs lead to improved health, self-confidence, and independence among athletes with intellectual disabilities and acceptance and inclusion in the community. Special Olympics Southern California has earned a four-star ranking from Charity Navigator for exceeding industry standards. This ranking is the highest Charity Navigator offers to an organization and is given because Special Olympics has demonstrated strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency. Learn more at www.sosc.org.
