Swim The channel

We are pleased to say our swimmers completed their channel swim on Saturday 5th February 2011.

They did really well with some covering over a mile in one go quite an achievement.

ARCHIVES

Looking back to 2010

Looking back to 2009

Special Olympics Sunderland Swimming Gala Sunday 20th March 2011

Gala Success

We really need to thank so many people for help and support we received to help run our First official gala. We had everything from raffle and tombola prizes contributed, to the time, experience and expertise of the officials, without whom the gala could not have gone ahead.

We had volunteers from Sunderland University, Hetton and Sunderland swimming Club’s. We also need to thank Peterlee and Washington pool’s for their help.  Of course we must not forget our usual motley crew of volunteers, who give their valuable time all year round.

It is good to able to report that everything went off well and if reports received are to be believed our visitors all had a good day, (we must had hidden the panic well).  Thank you every one that came along to support and the visiting swimmers it was you that made the day such a success.

It was a brilliant day and I have heard mutterings of another bigger one next Year!!!

We would also like to thank the staff of Raich Carter centre not only for the gala day but also for the help and support received all year round.

One person stands out for a special mention Chris from Cheshire Penguins what a star thank you so much for your help.

Thanks every one hope to see you all again next year.

Laura was named the winner of the 15-20 years Individual Sports Award at a ceremony at the Stadium of Light on the 10th March 2011.

Three cheers for Laura Ferguson, she deservedly won the Young Achiever of the Year for her amazing past year and success in badminton for 2010/2011.

It was a great evening and made all the more exciting when Laura won the ward.

We also had a double whammy when some of our athletes who are part of the City Equals team also won the award for Service to the community.

Well done every one you should all be very proud of yourselves.

2010 - 2011 4 NATIONS DISABILITY BADMINTON SERIES

We would like to wish Laura Ferguson the very best of luck when she goes to Stoke Mandeville for the Four Nations badminton competition from the 13th - 15th May 2011.

News from Stoke Mandeville Laura has won a gold medal in the ladies doubles.

We are delighted for Laura and I am sure her parents are very proud of her.

WELL DONE LAURA

Our Summer Picnic 2011
Saltwell Park Gateshead

What an absolutely brilliant day we had. Weather perfect, the games organised by the coaches were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Rounder’s being a firm favourite although the game with athletes against parents seemed to be weighed against parents having us run around in circles due to the fielders playing dirty tricks and making sure we had a very unfair disadvantage.

All told I think it was a foregone conclusion that the parents would never win no matter how hard we tried!.

Treasure trail was good fun and everyone happy with the results and the and prizes, although I have to say in my opinion the magnificent portrait drawn of me by Richard was by far the best part of the exercise, well done Richard it is now on my fridge for all to see.

We finished the afternoon with a piñata and what fun that was with every one having their own plan on how to get through the body to the sweets, we (yes I did have a go but failed) eventually managed to get there and all went away happy with their rewards.

It is most important that we thank our coaches for organising the games, Thank you so much Graham, Tom, and Alex, without you we could not have had such a brilliant day, and if you are very good you can do the same again next year.

Please visit our Saltwell Park Photo Album

TALENTED LAURA IN LINE FOR AWARD...

Sunderland Echo

Published on Wed Jan 19 18:39:22 GMT 2011

A TEENAGE badminton enthusiast has been short listed for a Sunderland Young Achievers’ Award after representing Britain in the Special Olympics.
Laura Ferguson, 16, from Tunstall, Sunderland, has a rare condition called 22q11.2 deletion, also known as DiGeorge syndrome, where different genes are lost, which can result in heath problems.

She travelled to Poland last year to compete in the Special Olympics European Games. She has now been nominated for a Young Achievers’ Award by Kath Rooney of Special Olympics Sunderland.

Kath said: “I feel this is an exceptional achievement for a young lady with a learning disability and to see her achievement acknowledged would put a perfect end to a very hard-working year for Laura.”

Laura, who trains at Raich Carter Sports Centre, in Hendon, and St Aidan’s Badminton Club, in Sunderland, started playing badminton in 2008 and went to the National Games in 2009 to represent the north of England.

Laura’s determination to succeed in her sport has given her an enormous boost in confidence and helped her to come out of her shell.

She said: “I feel very proud that I’ve been chosen for the award. I’ve worked really hard. “Going to Poland was a bit scary, but once I got there and saw all the other teams I got really excited." “Badminton is my favourite sport. I like winning competitions and getting to make friends.”

Her dad Stephen says he is enormously proud of Laura.

He said: “It’s not so much the award, it’s more about how she enjoys the sport. She only started about two years ago from not even playing at all. Her confidence has come on great. We’re all very proud.”

The Young Achievers’ Awards, which were launched in 1992, highlight and celebrate the achievements of young people in Sunderland. Organised by Sunderland City Council, Youth Development Group, the awards pay tribute to young people who make a significant contribution to family, school and community life.