Two athletes from Central Queensland are looking forward to representing their state at the Special Olympics Junior Nationals scheduled during December in Newcastle.

Jarrod Lee from Gladstone and Joshua Holloway from Rockhampton are looking forward to their challenge, organised via the Gladstone Region branch of the Special Olympics organisation.

Jarrod Lee (left) and Joshua Holloway

CQUniversity has provided $10,000 sponsorship over two years via the Gladstone branch to help cover expenses for regional athletes attending major Special Olympics events, and the Uni is encouraging other community organisations to get behind the movement.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with an intellectual disability.

Jarrod is competing in swimming and basketball and Joshua is competing in tennis and athletics. Their proud parents would welcome wider community support for their endeavours.

"We as parents were so thrilled to hear of Special Olympics starting up in Gladstone," said Karen Lee, Jarrod's mother.

"Jarrod had tried without much success to be involved in mainstream sport. As a child with autism the challenges were a little more than he or us could handle.

"Since joining the Special Olympics program, Jarrod looks forward to training each week with his friends and he is learning new skills, gaining confidence and improving his physical fitness. All of these things are challenges for a child with an intellectual disability and so it gives us so much joy to see the excitement and pleasure he gets from being part of a team."

Joshua's mother Tanya says Special Olympics has shown that people with disabilities can achieve great skill levels, friendship and understanding in whatever their chosen field.

"That old saying is very true, 'patience is a virtue'," she says. "Josh has an intellectual impairment, Aspergus syndrome, and is hearing impaired. He has been involved with sport since he was six years old, a way to focus and burn energy.  With his disabilities the coaches at Mullholland's Tennis and Central Queensland Athletics Association have given him knowledge and confidence, which helps his day-to-day living skills."

Both Jarrod and Joshua need to travel to Brisbane on several occasions in preparation to be part of the Queensland contingent in December.

Gladstone Regional Committee Chairperson Debra Knust says the branch has been formed by a small group of dedicated parents and community members.

"Contributions and support of local businesses are always deeply appreciated by not for profit organisations such as ours," Ms Knust says.