Aim

Enriching lives of Swimmers with Learning Disabilities by training weekly; competing in Galas; enabling good fun improving swimming skills.

Sandwell Swimmers Success! Special Olympics Redditch Swimming Gala 7 March.Our15 swimmers all did very well completing 27 individual races plus 12 swimmers entering Relay Races. They received a total of 17 MEDALS :- 2 Gold; 5 Silver plus 4 Silver for Relays; 6 Bronze; along with 13 RIBBONS for Runner up, Plus 8 Runner up Relay Ribbons; and 1 award for a Personal Best !

Look out for individual swimming stories & more photos to follow soon on this Aviva Crowdfunding page-Thank you to all who have already pledged to help us towards our total to support our swimmers - your donations will really enable our swimmers with a Learning Disability to enjoy regular swimming & entering more Galas- they hope to continue to GO FOR GOLD

https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicssandwell/?tn-str=k*F

Happy New Year from all our swimmers & friends at Special Olympics Sandwell. 

There is still time if you wish to pledge to support our team.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/go-for-gold-special-olympics-…

This year we will be featuring each of our swimmers in turn to share their individual stories of success to give readers & supporters an idea of how their kind donations can help them with their swimming sucess. Let's help them GO FOR GOLD !  

6. STARRiNG SWIMMER MANDY ! 

Mandy has been a member of Special Olympics Sandwell for over 30 years so she is one of our founder members. She enjoys swimming and is a very confident competent swimmer able to swim different strokes including breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke and even Butterfly ! She really enjoys competing in  swimming especially the relay races.

Mandy was delighted to recceive the Best in Season Swimming Award 2018 and the Community Champion Award 2019 at our Presentation of Awards Evening.  

Many thanks to her Mum and all her family for their support over all these years- 

Mandy has entered many swimming Galas including the National Summer Games including  the National Summer Games in Leicester in 2009 & Sheffield in 2017 plus the Anniversary Games in Scotland in 2018.  She is looking forward to representing Sandwell as part of the West Midlands Delegation in Liverpool in 2021.   

Mandy enjoys social events such as the Discos and also attending the Hilton Metropole with her tem for the We are all making a difference Extravagana Evening' where she was interviewed on stage. She has also been interviewed for a Health Initiative and she spoke with confidence at both of these. 

Mandy was  proud to attend the Presentation of Awards ceremonies for the Black Country Sports  Awards (where Sandwell were awarded the Community Club of the Year ), BBC TV. Sports Awards ( Runners up )

Your kind donations to Special Olympics Sandwell will help Mandy and her friends to continue their Swimming training, improve their strokes & Stamina & relay races & prepare them for future swimming Galas. 

Mandy also enjoys other sports including athletics, badminton & boccia. 

 Mandy was very proud  indeed to show her medals to 2 of the Mayors at the Big House and Sandwell Council House.

More photograhs of Mandy and her friends are on our Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/specialolympicssandwell

 WELL DONE MANDY - WHAT A STAR ! 

5.  STARRING SWIMMER JONO !

Jono has also recently started attending Special Olympics Sandwell & he has been attending swimming sessions regularly each week. 

He tries very hard and really enjoys himself. He has become much more confident in the water with lots of encouragement from the swimming teachers Abi, Toni plus his family & friends cheering him on as he swims so much further now without putting his feet on the bottom! He has recently completed 24 lengths of the 25 metre pool in an hour – a real achievement indeed !

Jono also plays Boccia and entered his 1st Boccia Competition recently when he was so excited to win a medal for his achievement.

 He enjoys training with his friends on Tuesdays at Hadley Stadium Smethwick.

Jono really enjoys Social Events especially the Christmas Disco and Dancing.

 Jono & his family are really looking forward to him entering his 1st  Special Olympics Swimming Gala. Your pledges of kind donations will really help him achieve this by enabling him to enjoy his regular training sessions. 

WELL DONE JONO ! WHAT A STAR !

4. STARRING SWIMMER CHRIS ! 

Chris has recently started attending Special Olympics Sandwell & he has been attending swimming sessions regularly each week and has made great progress indeed, supported by his family & friends. 

Chris tries very hard and really enjoys himself. He has become much more confident in the water with lots of encouragement from the swimming teachers Abi & Toni plus his family & friends cheering him on as he swims so much further now without putting his feet on the bottom! He enjoyed receiving his first swimming certiffcate at our Presentation of Awards Ceremony. 

 However, with weekly practice & encouragement he has recently completed 18 lengths of the 25 metre pool in an hour – a real achievement indeed !

Chris also plays Boccia and entered his 1st Boccia Competition receiving  a Runner up Ribbon for his first ever game ! Then he went on to  win s Silver Medal in his 2nd Boccia Competition recently when he was so excited to win his first ever Medal for his achievement. 

He also entered his 1st Indoor Sports Hall Athletics Competition at the end of last year when he enjoyed taking part in all the fun sporting activities. 

Chris really enjoys social events including Discos & dancing especially the Christmas Celebrations. 

Chris & his family are really looking forward to him entering his 1st  Special Olympics Swimming Gala. Your pledges of kind donations will really help him achieve this by enabling him to swim in regular training sessions. 

WELL DONE CHRIS ! WHAT A STAR !

3.  STARRING SWIMMER MARTINA !

 Martina has been a member of Special Olympics Sandwell for many years & has really enjoyed her swimming & entering Swimming Galas. 

Along with her friends, she has benefitted from weekly swimming lessons at West Bromwich Leisure Centre & has built up her confidence & trust with her regular swimming teacher Abi.  She enjoyed Special Olympics so much that she has encouraged her best friend to join as well ! Her family are very supportive of Special Olympics.

Martina has improved her stroke technique,  preferring to swim on her front. She recently swam an amazing 34 lengths of the 25 Metre Pool at West Bromwich- great progress fom her original 25 meetre certificate shown above ! 

She has entered  a number of Swimming Galas hosted by Special Olympics Redditch, Birmingham, Wolverhampton & Dudley ( at Halesowen ) Martina is always pleased to receive her Ribbons or Medals for her swimming & has made great progress thanks to her regular training.  She was also honoured to be awarded a special Volunteers Trophy nominated by our Volunteers.  

Martina was  proud to attend the Presentation of Awards ceremonies for the Black Country Sports  Awards (where Sandwell were awarded the Community Club of the Year ), BBC TV. Sports Awards ( Runners up ) & Rowley Regis Awards.

Martina also enjoys playing Badminton & has won many medals for Competitions including the National Summer Games in Leicester in 2009, Bath in 2013, Sheffield in 2017 plus the Anniversary Games in Scotland in 2018.  She is looking forward to representing Sandwell as part of the West Midlands Delegation in Liverpool in 2021.  

Martina was very proud  indeed to show her medals to 2 of the Mayors at the Big House and Sandwell Council House.

WELL DONE MARTINA !  WHAT A STAR  ! 

follow swimmers progress-  https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicssandwell/ 

2. STARRING SWIMMER HAYLEY ! 

Hayley has been swimming regularly for years at the West Bromwich Leisure Centre where her sister and their Mum also swim regularly. 

Hayley has enjoys weekly lessons and with help from her swimming teachers she has improved her strokes, swimming confidently on both her front & her back.  Through regular training she has also increased her stamina & recently swam an amazing 38 lengths of the 25 Metre Pool at West Bromwich.

Lots of her family came to support our team - to spectate & cheer her on at the Swimming Galas she attended which were held at the Abbey Pool at Redditch. Hayley is so proud to be presented with her Swimming Ribbons & Medals. 

She was also awarded the ‘MOST IMPROVED‘ Swimmer Trophy for all of our Special Olympics Sandwell Swimmers in 2018. 

Below  is Hayley holding our precious engraved glass Black Country Sports Award for Community Club of the Year 2018. 

Hayley also really enjoys Social events especially dancing at discos ! 

Hayley has expressed an interest in attending the National Summer Games in Liverpool in 2021. 

So thank you to all her family & friends & other supporters who have pledged their support through our Aviva Crowdfunder which will help swimmers like Hayley to train regularly for Galas- 

https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicssandwell/ 

WELL DONE HAYLEY - WHAT A STAR ! 

1. STARRING SWIMMER PAUL !

Paul is one of our longest serving registered Special Olympics members who has been involved for over 30 years ! 
Paul has entered a number of Swimming Galas winning Medals & Ribbons for breastroke, freestyle & also his back stroke.  Thanks to regular swimming lessons at West Bromwich Leisure Centre with his wonderful swimming teacher Abi he has now increased his stamina & recently swam an amazing 44 lengths of 25 metre pool at West Bromwich Leisure Centre.

Paul also competes in other sports & has entered numerous  competitions. including Athletics, Badminton, Boccia, & Basketball.  Paul has entered National Games including the Isle of Wight Games for Swimming; Athletics in Leicester 2009 &  Bath 2013 & Boccia Sheffield in 2017. 

Paul is representing Sandwell as part of the West Midlands delegation in the Liverpool Games in 2021.    

He was honoured to be chosen as 'A LEGEND' when he helped lead the teams out at the Grand Opening Ceremony at the 40th Anniversary Games in Scotland. He also wore his special LEGEND SHIRT on stage at the Hilton Metropole  Hotel  

Paul was very proud  indeed to show his medals to 2 of the Mayors at the Big House and Sandwell Council House. WELL DONE PAUL - WHAT A STAR ! 

Comments from our supporters of our swimming project from 2019.

Another pledge arrived overnight from our own Swimming Teacher who commented " So lucky to be able to work with these guys and see them progress each and every week. The highlight of my week! So proud of all your hard work always." So many thanks for all the effort you put into teaching our Sandwell Swimmers encouraging everyone to make progress. The swimmers enjoy working hard & also practicing relay races - they loved the Distance Certificates you made them;
also enjoying playing games such as 'Water Polo,' & 'Simon Says.' SO looking forward to our swimmers continuing with you next year & entering their forthcoming swimming galas.

Another kind parent has pledged towards our appeal and commented "this is for a great cause; hope you get there; my son swims with these and are brilliant " 

It is really great to have such caring, supportive parents in Sandwell. Grateful thanks  

Also another pledge from a former Special Olympics Sandwell Volunteer who also used to help some of our swimmers learn to swim when they were young school children & has volunteered for Special Olympics Swimming Galas starting in the Isle of Wight many years ago and also in Leicester 2009 at the National Summer Games which are held every 4 years. Happy Memories ! They still remember you & all the amazing adventures we all enjoyed !  

and wishing eeveryone a very Happy and Healthy New Year 2020. 

COMMENTS ON SUCCESS STORY- SPECIAL OLYMPICS SANDWELL SWIMMERS !

 Special Olympics Sandwell offers a variety of sporting opportunities to people of  all ages with a Learning / Intellectual Disability. Swimming is just one of our sports which is very popular and is of real benefit to those attending. So we wish to deliver weekly swimming sessions at West Bromwich Leisure Centre.

 We need funding to hire lanes of the Swimming Pool along with Qualified Swimming Teachers who are experienced in working with people with Learning Disabilities. Weekly training is important to practice & improve their swimming strokes & to build up stamina as well as increasing confidence.

UPDATE ! GOOD NEWS ! WOW ! WONDERFUL COMMENTS - MANY THANKS! We now have £620 towards our total of £2,000 with 12 pledges which is 31% of our total ! Moreoever Special Olympics Sandwell have received some wonderful heartwarming comments from our first group of supporters who know some of the team members:-

• The Professional Photographer who took the cover ' Swimming Splash ' Action snap tells us "of course I'd be happy for you to use the images for the appeal. I'm glad they have been useful for you. Good luck to the team! Best regards "
• Another Facebook friend  viewing this commented " What a Lovely photo ! " 
•  1st person to comment on our project, especially photos, is a young lady who is friends with our team & encourages by telling them “Go for it for the Gold”
• A proud sister who has helped to train all our swimmers states  “These wonderful swimmers deserve the whole world & more”
• Another proud sister of one of our new swimmers who is beoming much more confident says “My brother swims for them”
•  A proud Aunty who has shared the excitement when spectating at the Swimming Galas explains “So very happy to support ‘Go for Gold’. I’ve had the honour to support my special niece and her team mates at a few events. I look forward to seeing you all In your new t-shirts.“ 
• A family member of a swimmer who has been a Sandwell member for over 30 years says “A great cause! Very happy to help. "
• Friends of the family members who have pledged  added 
• “I’m supporting this because it is such a worthwhile cause.”
• and also "Good luck to you all." and  "Hope you reach your target " 
• An emotionally  moving heartfelt comment came from a daughter in memory of her mother says  "Donation made on behalf of my Mum who would have been so proud of what they've achieved. ..she spent over 30 years teaching special needs children some of whom have gone on to compete in Special Olympics.
•  Many thanks for these kind comments which are really so lovely to receive..... more comments to follow soon.

Sandwell is just one branch in the West Midlands so we get invited to enter Annual Swimming Galas across the West Midlands and further afield. the swimmers really enjoy these events - an opportunity to compete with a friendly atmosphere and an exciting Opening Ceremony and swimmers march around the pool side to lots of loud applause!

 So our Sandwell swimmers  need to practice their timed swims to achieve their best times as individuals.and also in their Relay Races. Everyone gets a fair chance to race as they are banded by times and it is very exciting to watch the Galas.

Winnng their race is a real achievement & everyone is awarded a Medal - Gold Silver or Bronze Medal or a Ribbon for runner up places 

Relay Races.involve training & working together as a team of 4 swimmers and it is very exctiting to watch. All 4 swimmers are awarded a medal or ribbon. Both our female & male relay team were delighted to win a medal at this Gala. Well done !

We would like to purchase swimmers  new individual  'Tea bag ' Tee Shirts which are made of specialist Fabric suitable for the swimming pool environment,. The swimmers would like to have their team logo on the front of the shirt and their Team Name SANDWELL on the back. 

Swimmers will be so proud to wear their Team shirt when they go to the
start of their races and moreover after the race to stand on the Medal Rostrum to collect their medal or Ribbon. Wearing matching Team kit helps to identify the swimmers as part of SANDWELL but it also gives them a real feeling of 'belonging' to their team.

We also like to reward their achievements by presenting them with a swimming Medal for their efforts at our Annual presentation of Awards evening. there is a Trophy for the 'Best in Season' swimmer & also one for the 'Most Improved '  swimmer ! 

Special Olympics Sandwell felt very honoured to be winners of the Black Country Community Sports and Physical Activity Club of the Year 2018 & runners up for the BBC Sports Awards.

 We are so grateful to our hardworking volunteers who support our Club & they were delighted to receive this presstigious Certificate & Glass Trophy.  

The swimmers have a great deal of fun at both training and Competitions. 

Here are the youngest members of our team & their cute Swimming Mascot ! 

Please help our Sandwell Swimmers to 'GO FOR GOLD ! '

Our Special Olympics Motto is :- 

' Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. '

This project successfully funded on 21st April 2020