Special Olympics Surrey (SOS)
Special Olympics Surrey (SOS) was formed on 26 September 2007 and is part of Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB).
The mission of Special Olympics Surrey (SOS) is to provide year round sports training and competition for people aged eight years and older with a learning disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate achievement, experience enjoyment and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families and other Special Olympic athletes.
Athletes with a learning disability recently represented Great Britain at the 12th Special Olympics World Summer Games. The team returned home with a total of 224 medals. Following a successful two weeks in Shanghai, the elated athletes flew back into Britain carrying 84 Gold, 83 Silver and 57 Bronze Medals. "I am immensely proud of our athlete's achievements at the World Games," said Lawrie McMenemy, SOGB Chairman, "they have showcased their abilities and talents on a world stage, proving that they deserve just as many accolades as other world-class athletes."
SOS News
SOS Kingston Sports Club
The Recreational sessions are open to anyone who has a special need and or disabillity. A range of different sports will be on offer these will vary from session to session. All sessions are led by fully qualified coaches.Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm.
Venue: Richard Challoner Sports Hall, Manor Drive North New Malden. KT3 5PE
Cost: £3.00 per session
Dates of sessions are:
| Month | Day |
|---|---|
| April | 28 |
| May |
12 26 (No Session) |
| June |
9 23 |
| July | 7 |
For more information contact Sue Frett, Branch Secretary on 020 8336 2768 or 07786 448 922.
SOS Boccia Tournament
On Saturday 29th March 2008 SOS hosted it's first Boccia festival at Richard Challoner Sports Hall. 8 teams entered this event which was a pan disability event. Volunteers from the recent Boccia Level One Course held in Kingston were on hand to referee the games and ensure that everyone played by the rules.
Each team were able to play each other once. The festival went right down to the last game to determine who would be the outright winners. After a nail biting finish SOS 2 came out on top with Sutton Mencap coming a close second. The Mayor of Kingston Councillor Shiraz Mirza and Councillor Patricia Bamford attended this wonderful event.
The teams that took part were:
- SOS 1
- SOS 2
- ROYAD
- Leatherhead Swans
- WAMDSAD
- Sutton Mencap
- Reigate and Redhill YMCA
- Spelthorne Sports Club
It is hoped from this festival interborough competitions can be set up. If you would like to find out more on how to get involved with Boccia please contact the Active Kingston Team on 020 8547 5207.
A special time had by all at Taster Day
Special Olympics Surrey (SOS) held their first open disability sports taster day on Saturday 26 January 2008. Over 60 people aged 8 to 80 years attended and had the opportunity to try out different sport.
Following this taster day Special Olympics Surrey (SOS) want to engage new members and form an Athletics, Boccia and Football club as well as offer opportunities to train in other sports. These clubs will be open to all disabilities for anyone aged 8 to 80 years.
SOS Skier selected to represent Great Britain at the Winter World Games 2009 in Idaho (USA)
We are delighted to announce that Greg Friend (Age 25) of the Special Olympics Surrey Ski Team is one of only 7 athletes selected to represent Great Britain in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise , Idaho (USA) in February 2009.
Greg is honoured to have been chosen from among the 60 athletes who have just returned from the British National Championships in Pila, Italy where he won Gold in the Slalom and Super Giant Slalom and Bronze in the Giant Slalom.
The New Kids on the Block Take Medals
Six athletes (4 of whom live in Kingston) from the Special Olympics Surrey (SOS) Ski Team represented their region at the National Alpine Skiing Competition that took place in Pila, Italy, from the 14 to the 18 of January 2008.
They competed against 62 other Special Olympics Athletes from seven regions of the UK. The athletes competed in three different disciplines: Super Giant Slalom, Giant Slalom and Slalom, in Advanced, Intermediate and Novice levels. This will be the only event through which athletes can qualify to be considered for selection for the GB team for the 2009 World Winter Games in the USA.
The (SOS) team cam home from the championships with a staggering 13 medals: 5 Gold, 3 Silver & 5 Bronze. A magnificent achievement! The skiers trained very hard at Sandown Ski School leading up to the championships and all their hard work certainly paid off.
We now keep our fingers crossed until the end of January when it is announced who will be going to the World Winter Games in Idaho February 2009.
For more information about Special Olympics Surrey (SOS) or to find out how to join please contact Sue Frett on 020 8336 2768 or email: specialolympicssurrey@googlemail.com
Alternatively please contact The Active Kingston Team on 020 8547 5207.