Alex Baker from Support Centre wow’d at this year’s Special Olympics Australia National Games in Launceston, and his golden glow is unmissable.
With two gold medals under his belt from winning both the men’s division two, Singles and Doubles tennis tournaments, Alex is all smiles, and rightfully so!
This is the second time in 18 years I’ve been able to bring home two golds for these events at this level
The last time, I was a 14-year-old kid, and that was my first-time representing Queensland at these Games as a junior.
This was my fifth time, and now in the Open category, and I couldn’t be happier to have the golds back around my neck – I’m so incredibly proud to be a Queenslander and to do this for our sport and our State,
– Alex said
Teaming up with mate, Timothy Gould for the doubles match, Alex believes his success has been assisted by not just ongoing training and years of experience, but by the friendships he’s made along the way.
I now have a lot of great friends and team mates on the circuit. My doubles partner Tim is one of them.
I love how we’re all out there, doing our best, supporting each other, competing for our State with pride, kicking goals, and if you can come home knowing you’ve done your best or even with a medal, then what else could you ask for,
– he added.
Placing first in his pet event, automatically opens up Alex for selection to compete at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. While the team won’t be announced until later this year, he says, if he’s selected, he’s ready to take on the world.
I’d love to go to the Games. Representing my state is amazing, but having the chance to represent my country is also an incredible experience,”
Some of the players in these competitions here in Australia, are among the best Intellectually Disabled players in the world. So, it makes sense to try our hand overseas, and show the world how good we Aussies really are.”
– he said.
Under Australia’s PWII – People With Intellectual Impairment – ranking, Alex is currently placed sixth for singles, and seventh for doubles; a sub top-ten ranking maintained for the last seven years straight.
However, he is no stranger to sporting success, also pulling on representative apparel in cricket.
So far I’ve been able to compete across two series with the Queensland Team at the NCIC (National Cricket Inclusion Championships) where we achieved a semi-final finish.
Plus, I have played cricket for Australia at the Special Olympics in India in 2006, were we placed third overall,
– he said.
We are excited to celebrate in Alex’s success and admire the hard work he has put in to achieve these accomplishments!
Working in administration four days a week at the Cannon Hill headquarters, Endeavour says Mr Baker’s eagerness to adopt new learnings, work as a team, and strive towards bigger goals, has earned him high praise among his colleagues, including manager, Lawrence Scott.
Alex is a true team player, he’s an advocate for our industry, and is someone we trust when seeking personal insight into our sector and the people we support,
– Mr Scott, Head of Service Design.
Like in his sport, Alex takes a leading position at Endeavour, especially in speaking for people with disability, and we couldn’t support his work more, on and off the court
– concluded Mr Scott.
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