A Special Olympian

By Ben Hope
WITHIN three years Berwick’s William Caldwell went from tennis amateur to representing his state at the national level.
The right-hander recently took gold in the men’s singles and doubles at the Special Olympics Victoria 2010 State Summer Games and qualified for the national games in Adelaide.
“I was pretty happy with my result at the Victorian finals as it was a great preparation for the national games next month,” Caldwell said.
“It was a tough competition against some really good opponents.”
Caldwell said his commitment to sport had helped him overcome the behavioural issues associated with autism.
“It has helped me socially, especially by mingling with other competitors, coaches and parents,” he said.
The 23-year-old will join a team of 200 Victorian athletes and coaches travelling to Adelaide to compete in the National Special Olympics from 19-24 April.
“It will be fantastic to represent Victoria,” Caldwell said.
“It doesn’t matter what sport or what level of competition you are in. Whether it is in the Bushrangers or the Victorian softball team, it is always a great feeling to represent your state at the national level.”
This will be the second time Caldwell will represent his state; he travelled to the Gold Coast for the 2006 national games in the Victorian softball team.
“We won the silver medal after losing in the finals to Western Australia,” he said.
Despite his softball success, in 2007 he made the decision to try his hand at tennis, a sport that seems to come naturally.
“I decided to go for something different; instead of playing one sport my whole life I thought ‘why not try something else?’ ” Caldwell said. “The only tennis I had played before then was in school, so I am proud of my achievement.”
“When I started playing tennis three years ago I wondered where I would be for the 2010 national games. It is fantastic to be where I am right now.”
Fountain Gate Tennis Club coach Matt Cronin has been training with Calwell for two years and said it was great to see him get the recognition he deserved.
“He’s always out there putting in the hard yards. You don’t often hear about athletes in the Special Olympics and what they are doing,” Cronin said.
“I don’t pay much mind to his disability, I treat him the same as everyone else and he trains and plays just as hard.”
“It’s been great to help him achieve his personal goals.”
After the national finals Caldwell has his sights set on a spot in the Australian squad that will fly to Athens for the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
“I am definitely hoping for a spot in the Australia squad for the World Games in Athens. If I am offered the chance to represent Australia I will be training really hard.”