Trent will represent Aus at the 2025 Special Olympics in Italy!

Trent Jones, a Supported Employee from our Facilities Services team in Sydney, has qualified for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

A keen skier and snowboard enthusiast, now 52, Trent has been skiing since he was 10 and has been honing his skills at Special Olympics training camps for some time.

In July, Trent competed in the National Winter Games at Mt Buller where he came home with lots of medals but thought he had missed out on qualifying for the Special Olympics. However, a week later he received a letter in the mail confirming his spot on the team.

“I felt so excited when I found out I was going to the games! I can’t wait,” said Trent.

Trent will be joined by two of his biggest fans and long-time supporters, his mum and dad who say he is “fearless” on the slopes, when he competes in the downhill and asylum (weaving between poles) next year.

“Trent absolutely loves his sports. He has been skiing with us in lots of places around the world which helped him develop his skills and passion. We cannot wait to support him when he competes in the two events next year,” said Trent’s mum, Jill Jones.

She shared, “I remember one time we were skiing, and he came whizzing up to me and said ‘mum are you still here?’ and I just shook my head and told him that I’m not as daring as him.”

Not only is Trent a fierce competitor on the slopes, but he’s also a master of many skills in the Aruma Facilities Services team in Sydney, where he recently celebrated his 30th year of service.

Over his years as a Supported Employee at Aruma, Trent has worked on a range of different contracts, whipper snipping ,mowing, blowing and gardening. He’s also mastered the ride on mower, a huge achievement in the facilities services team.

Trent’s former boss, Jono Goonan has been working with Trent since 2007.

“When I heard he was selected to represent Australia, I thought it was really amazing. I was really excited for him, I thought it was a really awesome achievement.”

“The thing you have to know about Trent is just that he’s just a good all-round guy. He comes to work, does his thing and is always happy and cheery,” said Jono.

Getting all the way to Turin, Italy is not going to be easy, and Trent needs your help.

You can make a tax deductible donation by visiting Trent’s profile on the official Australian Special Olympics World Winter Games. 

Trent and his family thank you for helping him get to the Games, so he can wear our green and gold with pride!

Good luck, Trent! We’ll be cheering you on!

A version of this story was published in The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Post.