Spartans FC

The Special Olympics movement has been active in Sheffield since the City hosted the National Games in 1993. Participation has increased steadily through the years with clubs being set up to allow people to train in swimming, athletics and basketball and in September 2009 a new Special Olympics football club was formed – Spartans FC.

Although they have built up a solid core of players and coaches (below, left, are some of the participants and helpers) they are looking for further people to participate and for opportunities to compete against teams of similar abilities.

If you know someone who would like to take part, please contact Mike Stylianou on 07799065469 for details.

Along with Sheffield United's Blades Super Draw, the Blades Super Draw League contributed towards the project's start up costs and the Blades Super Draw Sunday Sports League is further helping to promote the Spartans FC project with publicity via its website - so watch out for updates. The League has also donated an autographed football bearing the signatures of Bryan Robson, Steve Coppell, Ray Wilkins, Paul Merson, Brian Laws, Dario Gradi, Danny Webber, Phil Jagielka and many others, and it is hoped the ball will help to raise further funds for the project. Below right is the League Chairman Keith Firminger, presenting the ball to some of the Spartans players. More information about the Special Olympics is below.

Special Olympics Great Britain

Special Olympics Great Britain is a charity that provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with learning disabilities. It offers the opportunity for those who participate to develop their physical fitness and motor skills, while achieving greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image.

Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with a learning disability can, with proper coaching and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet their individual needs. 

The Special Olympics movement believes that through sports training and competition, people with a learning disability benefit physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Families are strengthened and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united with people with a learning disability in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance. 

SOGB National Game, Leicester 2009

The Special Olympics Leicester National Summer Games that took place from the 25th to the 31st July 2009 in Leicester was the largest multi-sport event held in GB in 2009. In all some 2,700 athletes competed in 21 sports as well as 1,200 coaches, 1,500 volunteers and 6,000 families.  

A squad from Sheffield made up of 40 athletes and coaches took part in the Leicester Games. The triumphant athletes, with ages ranging from 14 to 55, returned to Sheffield with 23 gold, 15 silver and 16 bronze medals.  The medals were awarded in athletics, basketball, cycling, powerlifting and swimming events.