Jason Maskell has been selected to represent Victoria in the Special Olympics for tenpin bowling, running from October 19 to 22 in Melbourne.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Performing on a national stage is often dreamt about from a young age, but for many, it stays just that — a dream.
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Now, that dream is about to become reality for 43-year-old Shepparton local Jason Maskell as he prepares to take centre stage at the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics Australia.
The anniversary is more than a milestone, with the Special Olympics being the largest grassroots sport organisation in the world for people with intellectual and developmental issues.
Echuca tenpin bowling co-ordinator Margaret Gumbleton said Jason’s selection was a remarkable achievement, having only joined the Echuca program two years ago despite being a long-time bowler.
The four-member Echuca team trains each week at Star Bowl in Shepparton, as Echuca does not have a tenpin bowling centre.
“Jason is the only one who lives in Shepparton, the other three come over each week,” Ms Gumbleton said.
While selection is far from guaranteed, Jason’s gold medal at the metropolitan regional games 12 months ago helped put his name on the map.
After top-two finishes, athletes enter a pool to go through a statewide selection process, where a small contingent is selected to represent their state at the national games.
Recently, that wait finally came to an end when he received the news he’d been hoping for: a spot on the Victorian team.
It is a debut selection he says he is over the moon about.
“I was excited when I found out I had made the team, as it is my first time being selected,” Jason said.
Jason Maskell is collecting cans in fundraising efforts to help with costs from accommodation, transport, uniform and team camps.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Attending the national games isn’t cheap, with accommodation, transport, uniform and training camp costs adding up.
Athletes are required to take fundraising efforts into their own hands, with Jason collecting recyclable cans and bottles.
He has already raised more than $50 and is determined to keep his momentum going — reaching out through local Facebook community groups, asking locals to donate their eligible cans instead of cash.
“I’m still collecting cans,” he said.
“It’s costing me about $3300 to compete in the games.”
Every can collected brings him one step closer to Melbourne, where he will proudly represent Victoria, and Shepparton, against some of the country’s best tenpin bowlers.
This year’s games will celebrate five decades of inclusion under the tagline, ‘Celebrating 50 years of inclusion: The next 50 starts here’, recognising the impact that Special Olympics has had over the past half-century while looking ahead to the future.
The 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games will be held in Melbourne from October 19 to 23, with the tenpin bowling competition taking place at Wyncity Keon Park in Thomastown.
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