Mentor or floor sweeper, Brett’s their man

Mentor or floor sweeper, Brett’s their man

Brett Roscoe (43) has dedicated most of his life to helping Aucklanders with intellectual disabilities realise their sporting dreams.

The New Lynn man has been selected as a finalist in the Making a Difference category in the 2015 Attitude Awards. The national awards celebrate the excellence and achievements of Kiwis with a disability and those who support them.

Brett has been a coach, supporter and mentor for the Special Olympics Auckland Central group for more than 30 years. Special Olympics is a year-round programme of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

At just 13-years-old Brett began helping out alongside coaches at Special Olympics trainings. His younger sister Cindy was a Special Olympics athlete and both his parents were involved with the organisation.

Ever since Brett has dedicated his time to Special Olympics athletes. He spends Saturday mornings coaching basketball and athletics programmes and has supported athletes through numerous competitions – including the National Games every four years. He’s also involved in the snow sports programme.

Whether coaching athletes on the court, field, running track or ski field, Brett makes sport fun. His enthusiasm and support has brought out the best in hundreds of athletes and helped several Kiwis to compete internationally at the World Special Olympics Games.

Brett is also committed to Special Olympics fundraising and social events, setting up disco lights, sweeping dancefloors and volunteering as a guide at the annual fundraising fun walks.

Now Brett’s own children are following in his footsteps. Amy (12) attended her first National Games when she was just two-years-old and is now a helper at tournaments and social events. Ethan (7) loves the soccer training.

Alongside his family, Brett is continuing to make a difference in lives of Special Olympics athletes and hopes to do so for years to come.

He’ll find out if he has won at a black-tie gala on World Disability Day, December 3 at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre.

There are eight categories in the 2015 Attitude Awards: Courage in Sport, Spirit of Attitude, Making a Difference, Artistic Achievement, Youth, Junior, the Attitude ACC Employer Award and Sport Performer of the Year. The overall winner of the Attitude ACC Supreme Award is selected from the category winners and a People’s Choice winner and Hall of Fame inductee are also announced on the night.

Attitude Awards Trustee Dan Buckingham, a member of the elite national wheelchair rugby team the Wheel Blacks, says: “It's always an exciting time here at Attitude as we find out who the finalists are and count down to the big night. The Awards reflect what Attitude is all about – sharing stories that prove people with disabilities can overcome adversity and achieve greatness, whether that be big or small.”

“We thank our fantastic family of sponsors who allow us to present the Attitude Awards year on year. Collectively we are changing people’s view of what is achievable when someone lives with a disability.”

Dan encourages everyone to visit AttitudeLive.com in early November to see short films of the finalists and to vote for the person most deserving of the ‘People’s Choice Award’.

The Making a Difference Award is sponsored by the Ministry of Health. Jill Lane, Director, National Services Purchasing at the Ministry of Health says the Ministry is pleased to once again sponsor the Attitude Awards.

"The nominees for this award in previous years have been inspiring in the work they do to support people with a disability to enjoy and enhance their lives in a variety of ways."

Other sponsors supporting the Awards include: ACC, Westpac, Drake Medox, Barfoot & Thompson, IHC Foundation, Air New Zealand, Lion Foundation, Invacare and the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust.

Chief Executive of ACC Scott Pickering says ACC is proud to be principal sponsor of the awards for the eighth year, including sponsorship of the Attitude ACC Employer Award and the Attitude ACC Supreme Award.

“The Attitude Awards shine a light on New Zealand’s unsung heroes. At ACC we’re delighted to support the Awards and to acknowledge New Zealanders who live life to the fullest, achieve their goals, and provide role models to our community.”

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