Able2 Pontefract Special Olympics
an Associate club of Special Olympics GB
NEWS 2009
January 2009
OLIVER SELECTED FOR YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE SQUAD
Oliver was invited to attend a trial for the Special Olympics Yorkshire and Humberside Equestrian Team. He rode very well and was made a member of the squad. Oliver trains with the team on Saturday afternoons.
Oliver riding Penny
Oliver now has to compete at a regional event before representing his county at the Special Olympics Eastern Regional Championships in the autumn. Oliver has been riding since he was six years old.
March 2009
YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE REGIONAL BOCCIA
Able2 entered two teams in the Yorkshire and Humberside Special Olympics Boccia Competition on 28th March at the Richard Dunn Sports Centre, Bradford. Teams from Bradford, Pudsey, York, Wakefield, Skelton and Thorne also attended.
Our teams were: Ricky, Bethany and Oliver (team A) and Gemma, Richard and Gary (team B). Gareth and Colin also went along and spent the day refereeing matches.
As this was our first Special Olympics event, we didn’t really know what would happen. The morning was spent playing in mini leagues to classify teams into their appropriate ability groups. By the end of the morning session both of our teams had won their leagues and were placed in the Elite ‘A’ group.
After lunch, the Able2 teams both qualified for the semi-finals and, unfortunately, had to play against each other for a place in the final. The teams were very evenly matched taking one or two points on each end. After the fifth end the scores were tied. Ricky, Bethany and Oliver managed to take the lead in the last end and qualified for the final. Gemma, Richard and Gary then had to play the Pudsey team in the 3rd & 4th place playoff. The Pudsey team comprises of players who represent Yorkshire at National events. The match went to a tiebreak and was won with a carefully placed final shot by Pudsey.
’A’ group winners |
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Able2 Pontefract squad |
Ricky, Bethany and Oliver beat the team from Wakefield and won the Elite ‘A’ group gold medals. Able2 really made their mark as the only group with two teams in the Elite ‘A’ finals.
May 2009
KURLERS’ CLEAN SWEEP
Four members of Able2 Pontefract are smiling after each winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics GB Kurling Championships. Bethany, Sophie, Oliver and Gemma were selected to represent Yorkshire and Humberside at the event. The competition took place at Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes on Monday 4th May.
GB Kurling Champions
Gemma competed in the Senior Division for players using a ramp and claimed first place. Sophie, also a ramp player, won gold in the Junior Division. Both girls demonstrated great accuracy and game tactics to outwit their opponents.
In the Junior Pairs Division, Bethany and Oliver delivered an array of great shots on the day to become Champions. The Championship was Bethany and Oliver’s first major competition as partners.
This event was the first time that athletes from the Yorkshire and Humberside Region have competed in Kurling. It was an honour for members of Able2 Pontefract to represent their county at such a prestigious occasion. To have all four of our athletes win through to be crowned GB Champions is a tremendous accolade for Able2 Pontefract.
June 2009
YORKSHIRE & HUMBERSIDE REGIONAL ATHLETICS
Able2 Pontefract Special Olympics Group entered seven athletes in the Yorkshire & Humberside Athletics event. This took place at Huntington Stadium, York on Saturday 20th June.
Despite some horrible weather, our athletes shone and took home an impressive haul of medals. Events included running, long jump, javelin, shot put, softball throw, wheelchair racing and walking races.
Sarah – wheelchair race
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Jason – 50m run
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Bethany – medal winner |
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Oliver – long jump |
September 2009
EAST OF ENGLAND EQUESTRIAN
I went to the Special Olympics Equestrian Competition at Peterborough in September. I am on the Yorkshire and Humberside team. I rode a pony I had never ridden before, she was called Sunset.
In the morning I did a Trail Ride where I had to go around an obstacle course. In the afternoon, I rode Sunset again in the Dressage Test. She was a great pony and kept trotting when I wanted her to. She did a good halt at the end of the test.
At the end of the day there were prizes. The man said, “In the trail ride, the winner, from Yorkshire and Humberside, is Oliver.” I won the dressage test as well. I was the only rider who won 2 gold medals. I was very pleased. - Oliver
November 2009
NORTH OF ENGLAND SWIMMING GALA
Able2 Pontefract Special Olympics entered four swimmers in the North of England Swimming Gala. This took place in Harrogate on Saturday 14th November. Oliver was invited to recite the Special Olympic Oath at the opening ceremony ‘Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’.
Oliver reciting the Oath
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