National Games Highlights
Check out the NG 2017 video. A 4 minute video which shows just how amazing this event is.
Can you Spot any SOS Athletes?
O O O
National Games 2017 Press Release
Special Olympics Suffolk Athletes excel at 2017 Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games
Twenty four Special Olympics Suffolk athletes represented the Eastern Region in the Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games in Sheffield recently. The 13 competing teams represented Wales and the regions of England and Scotland. Taking part in the three sports of athletics, badminton and gymnastics Special Olympics Suffolk athletes came away with an impressive medal tally of 32 Gold, 23 Silver and 27 Bronze with eighteen 4th, six 5th, four 6th, four 7th and three 8th place ribbons. The Games were an amazing experience for all our athletes and indeed for the 7 coaches from Suffolk to whom much credit is due.
The Games, which are the largest multi-sport disability event to take place in Great Britain for people with an intellectual (learning) disability, involved 20 sports with 2,600 athletes and over 1000 officials and volunteers. The Opening Ceremony, which was held at Sheffield United’s Bramhall Lane Stadium, was followed by four days competition. This was the first time that Suffolk athletes have had the opportunity to take part in the Games which are held every four years. All our athletes are determined to work hard to achieve the qualifying standards to be considered for selection for the 2021 Games
Badminton head coach, Mike McCarthy said ‘’Our players did a great job in their first National Games finishing the week on a high by winning a brilliant Silver Medal in the mixed doubles, an excellent achievement and a fitting reward for all their hard work’’
Margaret Nicholls, athletics head coach said ‘’It is an experience the athletes will never forget – exceptional, enthusiastic team’’
Gymnast Grace Beales said ‘’It was fun, exciting and joyful. Winning gold medals was fantastic and I can’t wait for the next competition’’
Terry McEntee, Chair of Special Olympics Suffolk says ‘’This experience and the achievements by our athletes has only been made possible by the continued efforts of parents, carers and coaches in particular at the lead clubs of Orwell Panthers Athletics Club, the ActivIpswich Project and Waveney Gymnastics Club. A big thank you also to the many people and organisations which did so much to raise the necessary funding in order to get the athletes to the Games. Well done to all’’
The medals and other top 8 positions for Special Olympics Suffolk were spread across the 3 sports as follows. The 11 athletes won 6 Gold, 4 Silver and 9 Bronze medals with five 4th, five 5th, three 6th, three 7th and one 8th place ribbons. The 2 badminton players won 2 Bronze medals with the 11 gymnasts winning 26 Gold, 17 Silver and 18 Bronze medals and also twelve 4th, one 5th, one sixth, one 7th and one 8th place ribbons.
For further information please contact Terry McEntee on terrymcentee474@gmail.com or 07775557784
O O O
Our 2017 National Games Athletes
We are very excited to be sending 24 of our athletes to the National games in Sheffield. This was a special year for disability sport in Suffolk, as it was the first time Suffolk were taking part in the National games. Here are some of the athletes who competed, these athletes have worked so hard to get to this point and they have achieved so much already. This is such a pinnacle moment for not only Special Olympics Suffolk but for disability Sport in the county. We were able to watch these athletes compete after training for so many months. We wished them all the best of luck for the games.
O O O
This page is the reference point for all Special Olympics Suffolk related information for the 2017 National Games. It is also a place to recognise our generous sponsors.
SOGB have created a website specifically for the 2017 Games, but here are the key links.
Opening Ceremony
Today, our athletes walk in the opening ceremony representing Suffolk for the First time. Good Luck to our athletes for the week of competition ahead.
O O O
Day Two
Some Great pictures of our athletic athletes and gymnastics at the games this week. We have started the week off with a bang, with a few winnings already for the Suffolk team.
O O O
Day Three
Some great action shots of our athletes on day three of the National Games. After months of training they finally get to represent their region in their chosen sport.
O O O
Badminton Results
Well done to all our of badminton athletes. In our Men’s singles Cameron came 8th place, Kathy came 4th in the Women’s Singles and Special Olympic Suffolk secured a silver medal in the mixed doubles. A brilliant effort by both players against some very tough and much more experienced opposition.
O O O
We are all Winners at the games.
A few snap shots of just some of our athlete who won medals at the Games. Well done to all 24 of our athletes who took part in the games. You can all walk away knowing that you all worked so hard to be representing your region but also to be the first team to do so in the history of Suffolk Special Olympics. We are so Proud of all of you for how hard you have worked. Thank you to all the coaches and parents for all your hard work and dedication over the months of training and helping with the National Games.
O O O
Families Registration
All families must register, which can be done here – sheffield2017.org.uk/families/
Volunteer and Officials Registration
All volunteers and officials must register, which can be done here sheffield2017.org.uk/volunteers/
Fundraising – sending our athletes to the 2017 Games
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the generous sponsors who are making it possible for our athletes to go and represent SOS and the SO Eastern Region. Whilst some athletes are accepting donations privately, we’re accepting central donations which can be sent to particular individuals, or can be used as a central fund.
Thank you for you generosity.
2017 Sponsors
Kindly sponsoring our gymnasts
Special Olympics Suffolk 