SOS - Such a Success

July 2, 2008

 

11 athletes from Special Olympics Surrey visited Jersey to meet their fellow athletes who belong to the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled.

We stayed at The Grand Hotel and Kevin MacAlpine, the General Manager and the staff of the hotel made us feel very welcome. The athletes really enjoyed a game of basketball from wheelchairs. It was incredible how quickly they were able to use the wheelchairs but also gave to them an insight into wheelchair sports and how competitive they can be.

They went to Living Legends to play Go-Karting and Graham McConnell the General Manager gave team 90 minutes of excitement with four timed races and then the final. It was very competitive. Jonathan Frett won the accolade of being first, Gary Sharples came second and Kate Shanahan third.

Kate had come with the group from Kingston Grammar School and this was her first experience of working with special needs athletes for the whole week. Kate is in the GB team, under 18's playing hockey and she is training hard to get a place in the Olympic squad for 2012.

Other activities they enjoyed included a trip on the Jersey Eye, swimming in the sea at the Greve D'Lecq Bay, cycling from St Helier to St Brelades Bay, visiting the Elizabeth Castle and doing a two hour guided tour with Tom around St Helier, which was sponsored by Jersey Tourism. Finally we all visited the Opera House to see The Wizard of Oz.

The Athletes had one additional goal for the week; to conquer the bus routes in Jersey so that they could travel around independently. The island is only 45 miles around and they all received 10 out of 10 for achieving their objective.

It was a joy to see so many athletes just enjoying each others company in such a wonderful setting as the Island of Jersey.

Sue Frett – Tour Organiser

(More Pictures in the Gallery)

Basket BallKarting - Jonathan Frett (first) Gary Sharples(second) and Kate Shanahan(third)