Tag Archives: ipswich

Special Olympics Suffolk compete in Action packed Badminton Tournament

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Special Olympics Suffolk delivery partner, ActivLives, held an Inclusive Badminton Tournament recently at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event, delivered by ActivLives, in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk, was action packed with 30 competitors from inclusive groups in Ipswich, Wimbledon, Canterbury and Lincoln taking part.

These inclusive events are specifically for athletes who have an intellectual (learning) disability, they are sanctioned and supported by Special Olympics GB, as part of their calendar of events held across the country.

Allison Boggis, Chair of Special Olympics Suffolk, said, ‘The event was really successful. The standard of play was high and there was some fabulous competition with new and experienced badminton players from Suffolk and beyond taking part. It was fantastic to see the great support the players received from coaches, volunteers and family members’.

Many thanks to the brilliant team of volunteers who made the event happen, and to all of the partner organisations involved – including,  ActivLives, Special Olympics Suffolk, Special Olympics GB, Suffolk Community Foundation and Ipswich Borough Council.  

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

Scavenger Hunt raises a whopping £600 for Special Olympics Suffolk

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Twelve Special Olympics Suffolk athletes met at Ipswich train station on September 8th to take part in an organised Scavenger Hunt around the historic town of Ipswich. The intrepid explorers and their supporters navigated their way around the 3k route following a map, checking in with volunteer marshalls at given points along the way. They had clues to solve and questions to answer. The final point was Christchurch Park where they gathered for a picnic lunch and a game of rounders.

Not only was the Scavenger Hunt a great opportunity to get active and meet up with other athletes from Special Olympics Suffolk, but also to raise some funds to go towards the affiliation fees paid each year to Special Olympics Great Britain.

Between them, the athletes (Grace, Rhys, Ed, Donna, Ollie, Liam, Jordan, Hamish, Joe, Cameron, Ami and Simon) raised just over £600 in sponsor money! Liam and Ami shared joint first place by answering all Scavenger Hunt Questions correctly – their affiliation fees for 2025 have been paid by an anonymous donor. Jordan raised a whopping £129 in sponsorship and in doing so won a complimentary family swim at Crown Pools, Ipswich (kindly sponsored by Ipswich Borough Council) and a £20 Sports Direct voucher (kindly donated by an anonymous donor).

Congratulations and huge thanks to the athletes, their supporters, the sponsors and the volunteers who helped out on the day.

Inclusive badminton tournament in Ipswich a huge success!

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Special Olympics Suffolk delivery partner,ActivLives, held another Inclusive Badminton Tournament recently at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event, delivered by ActivLives, in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk, and with the support of Special Olympics GB, was a tremendous success with 26 competitors from inclusive groups in Ipswich, Wimbledon and Southampton, taking part.

The programme consisted of four divisions, where players competed in doubles and singles groups in a round-robin format. The day concluded with a team relay event, with all of the players involved. There were some very close matches and divisions with one of the gold medals being decided by just a single point!

“Each time that we host one of these tournaments, the standard of play just keeps on rising”, said Mike McCarthy, ActivSport Development Officer. “These inclusive events, which are targeted at athletes with an intellectual/learning disability, are very important for us. They are a great way to help showcase the sportsmanship, commitment and talent of all the athletes who take part.   

Many thanks to our brilliant team of volunteers and also to our supporting partners Special Olympics Suffolk, Special Olympics GB, Suffolk Community Foundation and Ipswich Borough Council”.  

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