Suffolk’s Special Olympics stars celebrate medal-winning National Summer Games

More than 50 athletes proudly represented Suffolk across badminton, tennis, boccia, athletics and gymnastics recently — returning home with medals, memories and a huge sense of achievement.

More than 50 athletes from Special Olympics Suffolk have celebrated a hugely successful National Summer Games after representing their county with pride at competitions across Great Britain.

The athletes had spent months preparing and training for the Games, supported by dedicated volunteer coaches who give their time every week to help athletes develop their skills, confidence and competitive ability.

The first Suffolk team in action was the six-strong badminton squad, who travelled to Nottingham in June. Their hard work paid off as they produced a series of impressive performances and returned home with a clutch of medals. 

Next came the 12-strong tennis team, who made the long journey to Wrexham at the beginning of August. Their commitment was rewarded with another haul of medals after a series of determined performances on court.

The 35 strong squad comprising boccia, athletics and gymnastics teams then travelled to Birmingham for the four-day multi-sport event, where Suffolk athletes competed alongside Special Olympics athletes from across the country. 

Every athlete gave their very best, demonstrating determination, enthusiasm and a real willingness to challenge themselves.

While medals were an important part of the celebrations, the Games provided much more than sporting success.

Harry Fuller, a Special Olympics Suffolk athlete, said:

“I was really proud to represent Suffolk. We had worked so hard in training and it was fantastic to compete at the Games. I loved being part of the team and supporting everyone. Coming home with a medal was a brilliant bonus!”

Mitzi Read, Special Olympics Suffolk coach, said:

“The athletes have worked incredibly hard in the build-up to the Games and it was wonderful to see that effort rewarded. What impressed me most was their determination and enthusiasm. They supported each other throughout the competition and should all be extremely proud of what they achieved.”

Another coach, Ellen Rowe, added:

“The Games are about so much more than winning medals. They give our athletes the opportunity to challenge themselves, develop their confidence and enjoy competing alongside their friends. Watching them grow and perform under pressure was incredibly rewarding.”

The athletes’ success would not have been possible without the commitment of the Special Olympics Suffolk coaching team. The coaches volunteer their time week after week, helping athletes prepare for competition and providing encouragement and support throughout the Games.

Allison Boggis, Chairperson of Special Olympics Suffolk, said:

“We could not be prouder of every one of our athletes. More than 50 people represented Suffolk across five sports and every athlete gave their absolute best. Their determination, enthusiasm and team spirit were inspirational.”

“The medals are a wonderful recognition of their hard work, but the real success is seeing our athletes grow in confidence, challenge themselves and enjoy the opportunity to compete. We would also like to thank our fantastic volunteer coaches, whose dedication throughout the year and tireless support during the Games made such a difference.”

Special Olympics Suffolk is planning to celebrate the achievements of all those who took part by hosting a ‘Celebration of Sport’ in a few weeks time. St Joseph’s College have generously donated their sports facilities for the day and will join Special Olympics Suffolk in encouraging everyone involved to take pride in what they accomplished.

Every athlete represented Suffolk with determination, enthusiasm and pride — and every one of them is a winner.

Special Olympics Suffolk tennis team rise to the occasion and smash it at the National Summer Games

Special Olympics GB hosted a tennis tournament as part of the National Summer Games single sports event last weekend. Twelve tennis players from Special Olympics Suffolk made a very long journey from Suffolk to Wrexham to represent Suffolk and compete in the event. 

Suffolk were the largest team to enter the event, and all players took part in singles competition on Saturday and doubles on Sunday. The competition was tough, but they all worked hard and rose to the challenge of competing at national levels. Harry commented on the great camaraderie between fellow teammates and Cat said it was really enjoyable weekend that was hard work but a lot of fun. In the singles competition, they scooped up 4 gold medals, 4 silvers, 2bronze and one fourth place medals and in the doubles, they were awarded 2 gold, 2 silver, one bronze and one fourth place medals. 

Head coach Mags was proud of the way her players conducted themselves on and off the court and said that they had shown great sportsmanship. She said it was a huge opportunity for the tennis players from Special Olympics Suffolk to compete against a range of players from across the UK. She also praised the organisers for putting on a fantastic event at a brilliant venue. 

Huge congratulations to Cam, Josh, Harry, Joe, Tony, Scott, Luke, Steve. Alice, Maria, Kathryn and Cat – we are so proud of you. Thank you for representing Special Olympics Suffolk. Massive thanks to Mags for her hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. 

Special Olympics athletes shine in Stowmarket, July 24, 2026

Special Olympics Suffolk recently held a very successful Inclusive Boccia Tournament at the Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Stowmarket. The event attracted 43 athletes, some of whom used the event as part of their preparations for the forthcoming SOGB National Summer Games being held in Sutton Coldfield next month.

Boccia, which is a target game played whilst seated, is one of the world’s most inclusive of sports. The day included some very close matches and divisions. Special Olympics Suffolk would like to thank all of their brilliant volunteers whose efforts make these events happen, and all of our supporting partners including Special Olympics GB, ActivLives, Everyone Active and Boccia England. 

If you would like to find out more about boccia with Special Olympics Suffolk, please contact Mike on mike.inclusivesport@btinternet.com

Special Olympics Suffolk badminton players get summer of national sports events off to a great start, June 16, 2026

In the singles our athletes collected three gold medals, one bronze and two 4 places. Across the various doubles events SO Suffolk athletes achieved one gold, three silver, two bronze and three 4th places. The journey back to Suffolk was just as eventful – Special Olympics Suffolk superstar Jordan and his Dad stopped off at a well-known restaurant for supper and bumped into journalist and well-known TV presenter, Alex Brooker.

Special Olympics Suffolk Active Easter Trail voted an ‘eggcellent’ success!

Over 30 participants, their families, carers and supporters took part in the Active Easter Trail in Christchurch Park, Ipswich on Sunday 29th March. At 11am, the Mayor of Ipswich Stefan Long set the trailblazers off in small groups to follow a trail around the park with a passport setting out a map of the route, clues to solve and activities to take part in.

Luckily, the rain held off and although there was a Spring chill in the air, the 2km trail and the sport-related activities along the route soon warmed everyone up. Once they had finished the Trail and answered the final clue, each participant was given an Easter Egg to take away (kindly donated by Jenny Leslie, Nadia Bacha, Yvonne Holmes, DSH Improvements and the Boggis Family).

Lunch was served in St Margaret’s Hall afterwards to hungry trailblazers and the hardy bunch of 24 volunteers (marshals, activity makers, sign-posters and catering crew), followed by the raffle, tea and cake and the SO Suffolk AGM, kindly attended by the High Sheriff of Suffolk, Gulshan Kayembe. Athlete Leaders Donna, Mark and Hamish were hugely instrumental in making the day run smoothly and being fantastic role models for Special Olympics Suffolk.

Massive thanks to the Mayor of Ipswich Stephan Long, the High Sheriff of Suffolk Gulshan Kayembe for giving up their time to come along to the event in support Special Olympics Suffolk on Sunday. To Ipswich Borough Council and Christchurch Park for letting us use the beautiful park and surrounding area and For St Margaret’s Hall. Special thanks also to those who donated easter eggs, cakes and food for the event (see below), to our athlete leaders for being so inspirational and to the trusty band of volunteers who gave up their time to support the event.

Easter Egg donations: Jenny Leslie, Nadia Bacha, Yvonne Holmes, The Boggis Family, DSH Home Improvements

Raffle Prizes: Goals, Katie’s Garden, The Rumble Family, Elspeth Lickert, The Boggis Family

Donations towards catering: The Rodwell Family, the Boggis Family

 

NEWS RELEASE

Friday 19th August 2014

Special Olympics Athletics a big success

Athletes from across Suffolk took part in Suffolk’s first ever Special Olympics Athletics Competition at Northgate Track on Wednesday 17^th August. Participation in the event qualifies athletes to take part in events across the country including at national level. Although the main aim is to encourage ongoing participation in club coaching and competition, for some the opportunity will be there to be considered for selection by Special Olympics GB for international competition.

Local athletics club Orwell Panthers played a central and pivotal role in supporting Special Olympics Suffolk’s team of volunteers to organise the event.

A number of personal best performances were set with the highlight being a very closely contested 100m which saw Waveney Valley AC athlete Aiden Hewitt win in an excellent time of 12.6 seconds. The quality of the race was such that second placed Rhys Turnbull-Bester posted an impressive 12.9 seconds with host club athlete Ollie Minns taking the bronze in 13.4 seconds.

Murton Mann, the Suffolk based Chairman of Special Olympics Great Britain and a member of the Special Olympics Suffolk Action Group said:

‘’It was wonderful to see so many athletes competing and enjoying themselves. I was really impressed by the high standard of competition and it was great to see so many athletes achieving personal bests spurred on by the atmosphere. A fantastic first for Suffolk in this the inaugural Special Olympics Suffolk competition, the first of many and the start of more opportunities for people with an intellectual disability in our county. A very big thanks to everyone involved in providing ongoing training and for organising this competition, also to Ipswich Orwell Rotary Club for providing the initial start-up funding for Special Olympics Suffolk’’

The timing of Suffolk’s first event coincides with the staging of the Special Olympics European Summer Games in Antwerp which are currently taking place. www.so2014.com

Further information about the athletics competition or Special Olympics Suffolk contact either Terry McEntee on terrymcentee474@gmail.com 07775 557784 or Matt Abbott on matt@elatussports.co.uk or 07846 510139.

ENDS

EDITORS NOTES: SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The charity Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB, www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk est. 1978) is the country’s largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for all people with an Intellectual Disability.

It is recognised as the third member of the “Olympic family” and the only other organisation allowed to use the word Olympic.

Unlike the Paralympics or Olympics, Special Olympics is not just an event every four years for elite athletes but training and personal development for all abilities achieved through regular local sports club meetings leading to participation in regional, national and international events and competitions.

Special Olympic Oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”

SOGB is community based run by volunteers in the local community. The charity helps to transform the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities through sport…. BUT is more than just sport, it is training for life.

Until now Suffolk has been one of only four counties in the country not to have a Special Olympics club. The setting up of Special Olympics Suffolk, this first competition and ongoing programme has been possible due to funding from Ipswich Orwell Rotary Club and its Germany counterpart Hanau Maintal Rotary Club.

Locally the added drive is that the Chairman of the SOGB Board lives in Ipswich and is determined to bring the opportunity of Special Olympics to Suffolk.

The second event, which will be a gymnastics competition at Waveney Gymnastics Club in Lowestoft, will take place on Sunday November 16^th. This will be a regional competition and mark the Official Launch Event of Special Olympics Suffolk.

Next year Special Olympics Suffolk aims to offer other sports with initial discussions and plans for swimming already underway.

In Great Britain there are an estimated 1.2 million people with an intellectual disability.  When you consider families, friends and carers, the total footprint of those affected is near up to 12 million people.  200 babies will be born this week with a learning disability.

The global Special Olympics Movement was founded in 1968 when the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver (President John F. Kennedy’s sister) started a day camp for people with learning disabilities at her home in America. Today Special Olympics has a presence in nearly 200 countries with over 3 million athletes.