The annual Disability Waveney Open took place at the end of July, bringing together athletes from artistic gymnastics and trampolining for an unforgettable event. Over two days, 35 athletes and coaches gathered for a training camp, where they had the opportunity to hone their skills, learn new techniques, practice routines, and build lasting friendships. The camp also provided valuable networking opportunities for staff.

The event continued with a divisioning event for artistic gymnastics on the third day, followed by a full day of competition for 65 gymnasts on Sunday. Athletes from 14 different clubs, spanning locations both near and far—including Norway, Germany, Suffolk, Leicester, Lincolnshire, Worcestershire, Portsmouth, Southampton, Northampton, Essex, and Birmingham—came together for this exciting occasion.

This event is not only a significant milestone for the local area, but it also highlights the dedication and expertise of the volunteers at Waveney Gymnastics Club and Special Olympics Suffolk, who work with people with disabilities. It has a positive impact on the local economy, raises awareness of disability sport, and puts the region on the map as a destination for inclusive events.

Gymnasts competed in various levels and disciplines, showcasing their talent and determination. The atmosphere was filled with joy, excitement, and a sense of accomplishment, as athletes celebrated their successes. There were many medals earned, with plenty of jingling gymnastics awards as athletes headed home!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to several key supporters: Heveningham Hall for their generous donation supporting the judges and officials, Warren School for providing the minibus to transport athletes, coaches, and judges, Special Olympics Great Britain for their continued support and branding, and the parents of the club for their fundraising efforts.

We look forward to hosting another event like this next year!

Special Olympics Suffolk badminton players proudly flew the flag for the Eastern Region recently, at a National Special Olympics Badminton Tournament held at the University of Wolverhampton Sports Campus in Walsall. The team of 7 players from Suffolk, did a brilliant job of representing our county and region, winning a total of 13 medals across the range of singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.

“Our team competed against athletes from across England and Wales. The competition was tough, but our players stuck to the task and produced some excellent performances over the two days. It was also really pleasing that our athletes received several complements for their sporting and friendly attitude”, said Mike McCarthy, from SO Suffolk and ActivLives. A big ‘thank you’ to the team of volunteers and family members who made the weekend possible – well done Suffolk!!

Huge thanks to Team Coaches, Mike and Vanessa for giving up their weekend to accompany the players to Walsall, and for fitting in extra training sessions in readiness for the competition.

Our supporting partners, ActivLives, held the third ActivLives Inclusive Boccia Tournament recently in Stowmarket. The event attracted 40 competitors, most of whom are local and play regularly with ActivLives in Suffolk. There were also a small number of athletes who travelled up from the south and west of England to compete. There were over 75 people attending the event during the course of the day.

The sport of Boccia is played whilst sitting down, and as a result is particularly suitable for players with a disability. The ActivLives tournament consisted of four divisions, or mini-leagues, where players competed in pairs, or in teams of three, in a round-robin format. Three of these divisions were specifically for athletes with an intellectual disability, with one division for athletes with a physical disability.   

“We have seen some brilliant boccia played today”, said Mike McCarthy, from ActivLives. “It is a real treat to see athletes with such a wide variety of abilities and experience, competing in the same tournament – for many of the players, today was their first formal competition opportunity. In addition to the athletes, the other stars at these events are our team of volunteers, without whom these events just wouldn’t be possible”.

ActivLives would like to thank everyone involved with this event including the athletes and their families and supporters, the brilliant team of volunteers, supporting partners including Special Olympics Suffolk, Special Olympics GB, and the Suffolk Community Foundation, and the centre hosts, Everyone Active.

If you would like to find out more about how to get involved with boccia in the Stowmarket or Ipswich areas, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk    

Once again, athletes from Special Olympics Suffolk competed beyond the County boundary – this time crossing the border to Norfolk where they took part in the Eastern Region Summer Series of Sport.

Over one hundred Special Olympics athletes from North London, West Midlands, St Albans, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and descended on the Sports Park at UEA, Norwich on Saturday 28th June competing in football and athletics regional competitions. Special Olympics GB sanctioned the event and Active Norfolk and Special Olympics Norfolk and Suffolk co-hosted the event and the facilities at the Sports Park were superb.

Temperatures soared but that didn’t deter our athletes as they competed fiercely on track and field, bring a well-deserved clutch of medals back to Suffolk.

As always, it take much preparation, hard work and dedication to put on an event such as this and special thanks go to our Athlete Leader Donna, SO badminton player and volunteer Ed, athletics and football officials, 40+ volunteers, coaches, team managers and supporters without whom this event would not have been possible.

Big smiles all round for the five intrepid athletes who took part in track and field events in the North Staffs and Stafford Regional Athletics event at the weekend.

Despite being a hot, sticky and overcast day, the athletes performed well and recorded personal bests, bringing home 15 placed medals between them. Their hard work and dedication during the long winter months of training certainly paid off.

A fantastic day was enjoyed by all and the coaches and parent’s were proud of the way the athletes conducted themselves and took part in the competition. An extraordinary effort from each and every one of you – well done!

Special Olympics Suffolk were invited to a ‘Sail and Supper’ evening at East Anglian Sailing Trust (EAST) https://www.east-anglian-sailing-trust.org.uk/ on Tuesday 17th June and what a fabulous evening it turned out to be!

The weather was perfect – the evening was warm and sunny with a gentle breeze.

The athletes were warmly greeted on arrival at the sailing club. After enjoying a most delicious supper cooked by Brian in the Galley and completing the paperwork, the athletes were introduced the to volunteers that were supporting them to sail. Martin was our lead and he carried out the safety checks and made sure all was in order before the sailors, supporters and volunteers got on board their designated boats.

The four boats were towed out of the jetty by the support and safety boats and then they were off, heading down the River Orwell!

The time passed so quickly and soon it was time to head back to base…

The athletes and their supporters were buzzing with excitement when they disembarked and walked along the pontoon back to the clubhouse, chatting about what they had seen and done. Huge thanks go to EAST and the amazing volunteers for a memorable evening which was enjoyed by one and all!

A team of Special Olympics Suffolk athletes represented our county with great distinction at a recent Para-Badminton tournament held in Gillingham, Kent.

The tournament, which was hosted by Kent Badminton, was a great success with all of our team of eight players competing in the singles and doubles events. There were some terrific performances from our group, all of whom faced stiff opposition from players from across the south of England.

Congratulations to our players and many thanks to all of the volunteers, family members and support workers who supported our players in competing at this event. The next tournament for many of our players will be the Special Olympics GB National event in Walsall in August.   

Special Olympics Suffolk delivery partner, ActivLives, hosted another very successful Inclusive Badminton Tournament on 17th May, at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event was action packed with 23 competitors from inclusive groups in Ipswich, Wimbledon and Canterbury, playing in singles and doubles events.

  These inclusive competitions are specifically for athletes who have an intellectual (learning) disability, with this particular tournament being sanctioned and supported by Special Olympics GB, as part of their ‘National Summer Series of Sport’, which is being held across the country throughout the summer.  

“The atmosphere today has been absolutely brilliant – the athletes are so supportive of each other and the standard of play is ever improving”, said Mike McCarthy, from ActivLives.

Many thanks to the brilliant team of volunteers who made the event happen, and to all of the partner organisations: ActivLives, Special Olympics Suffolk, Special Olympics GB, Suffolk Community Foundation and Ipswich Borough Council, who continue to support events such as this one.   

If you would like to find out more about badminton for players with a learning disability, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk