The Special Olympics GB 2014 National Table Tennis Tournament returned to its regular home at Sir William Stanier Leisure Centre in Crewe on 10– 11 May. The annual event, organised by the South Cheshire Special Needs Table Tennis Club for the last twenty years, saw players from all over Britain take part with the Crewe-based club winning over thirty of the medals available.
Dennis Beech, Games Director said,
“62 athletes from all over Great Britain came to Crewe to compete in the competition and represent their region. They competed in the various singles and doubles competitions and it was great to see so many people winning medals in their respective groups including lots of medal winners from the North West.”
One of the most notable performances was of the youngest competitor, Ben Cliffe from South Cheshire Special Needs Table Tennis Club who has only being playing for six months. He won two golds and a silver in his group as well as winning the Player of the Tournament Award.
Gerard Baldwin, Sir William Stanier Leisure Centre Manager added,
“It was fantastic to see so many talented players from across the country taking part in the tournament right here in Crewe. This event was a great example of how the Everybody Sport & Recreation trust can play a major part in such an occasion on the Special Olympics GB calendar.”
For more information about the Special Olympics GB series of events, visit www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk.
Notes to Editor
Special Olympics Great Britain offers year-round sport training and competition opportunities and is open to all people with intellectual (learning) disabilities regardless of their ability. Our programme is designed to allow athletes of all ages to learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports. Events are modified where necessary to give athletes with severe disabilities opportunities for meaningful participation. Regular training with qualified coaches is essential for the development of sports skills. Special Olympics maintains that competition is the best means of testing those skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth.
Everybody Sport & Recreation – ‘Everybody’ is the new charitable trust established to run leisure services in the Cheshire East area. The trust aims to provide ‘leisure for life’ by changing lives through healthy recreation. The charity operates the 15 leisure facilities in the Cheshire East area as well as leisure development and outreach programmes.