Jun 2, 2020 | ActivLives, ActivSports
The announcement has recently been made, by Special Olympics GB, that the National Summer Games, which were due to be held in Liverpool in August 2021, have been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several of our ActivLives regulars had already been selected to participate in these Games as part of the Eastern Region Badminton and Boccia squads.
“This news has come as an enormous disappointment for all of those athletes who were so looking forward to the event in Liverpool. Despite the disappointment, we all understand why the decision to postpone has been taken by Special Olympics GB”, said Mike McCarthy from ActivLives.
The announcement, made by Special Olympics GB, included the following statement:
It was agreed by all, that given the heightened risk to the athletes with intellectual disabilities, who are some of the most vulnerable people in our society and the uncertainty surrounding the impact of Covid-19, postponement is the right decision to protect our athletes and the integrity of the Games. There have been additional fundraising challenges as Covid-19 has impacted the whole of society and in particular charity fundraising.
All of us at ActivLives very much hope that these Games will be able to be re-scheduled, hopefully in 2022, and that all of the athletes get the opportunity that they have earned, to represent our region on a national stage.
If you would like to find out more the full statement can be found at https://www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk/news-media/2021-special-olympics-gb-national-summer-games-postponed
May 11, 2020 | ActivSports
Four Suffolk boccia players have been selected, as part of the Eastern Region team, to compete at the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games, which are to be held in Liverpool in August 2021.
Boccia, originally a Paralympic sport, is played whilst seated. As well as being part of the Paralympics, the sport is now also an integral feature of the Special Olympics competition programme.
Special Olympics sport is targeted at participants who have an intellectual (learning) disability. The SOGB National Summer Games is a multi-sport event held every four years. There will be over 2,000 athletes competing at the Games and all will benefit from the support of the 800 volunteers who will help to make it all happen.
Our local players will help to make up a 16-strong team from the Eastern Region, all of whom will compete in the Singles and Team Boccia events in Liverpool.
All of the selected athletes play regularly as part of the ‘Inclusive Boccia’ sessions held in Ipswich as part of the ActivLives Everyday Activ programme.
We look forward to the time when it is safe enough for all of our Special Olympics athletes to get back to preparing for the Games.
Oct 12, 2018 | ActivSports
The 40 participants competed in a variety of adapted sports including kurling, boccia, badminton, short-mat bowls, petanque, short tennis and table tennis. “By ‘adapted sports’ we mean sports, or versions of sports, that have been changed to make them more accessible to a wider range of people”, explained Mike McCarthy, Everyday Activ-Ipswich Project Manager. “The ActivLives ‘Everyday Activ’ programme, is all about making it possible for more people to get involved in sport and physical activity, even those who think that sport isn’t for them.”
“The Games have been a great success, with a lovely atmosphere created by the participants, who really got into the spirit of things.”
ActivLives would like to thank all of the participants and particularly the great volunteers who helped to make this event happen.
The Everyday Activ-Ipswich initiative is an ActivLives programme which is a partnership with Ipswich Borough Council. New sessions are about to be added to the autumn programme including kurling, yoga and low impact exercise and games.
If you would like to find out more about the Everyday Activ sessions and how to get involved, please contact ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email at mike@activlives.org.uk
Dec 1, 2017 | ActivSports
The Third ‘ActivLives Community Games’ were held recently at the Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich, targeted at people over the age of 50, who don’t currently take part in regular sports activity.
The participants competed in a variety of adapted sports including kurling, boccia, badminton, bowls, short tennis and table tennis. “Most of the sports were offered in a taster format with a competition element added to them as well”, explained Mike McCarthy, ActivIpswich Project Manager.
“The Games have shown to be a great success, the support has been tremendous with over 50 participants coming from across the Ipswich area to take part. Events such as this help to demonstrate that there is a real appetite amongst this age group to get involved with sport and physical activity opportunities that are enjoyable, engaging and not too serious! The atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant.”
ActivLives would like to thank all of the participants who helped to make it a really enjoyable day. Particular thanks go to Roger Osborne, ActivLives Patron, and Evie Edwards, GB Paralympic Boccia player, for presenting the medals and for their continued support for the work of ActivLives. “We very much appreciate the support of Evie and Roger at events such as this. Their own passion for sport is obvious and it serves to inspire others”, added Mike.
The ActivIpswich initiative is a partnership between ActivLives and Ipswich Borough Council and is supported by Sport England and the National Lottery. It is designed to encourage older adults to get involved (or to get back involved), in sport and physical activity.
If you would like to find out more about the ActivIpswich project and how to get involved, please contact ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk
