07/03/2008

Special Olympians Get Just Rewards

A special Olympics club is going from strength to strength in Belfast a year after it was established at the Olympia Leisure Centre.

Now it is marking its success with an awards presentation attended by Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Rodgers tonight at 7.00pm.

The club has been so successful it is now seeking to recruit more volunteers coaches and wants anyone interested in joining the club to get in touch.

Councillor Rodgers said: "Belfast City Council is here to support sport for all, and it was a grant from our Support for Sport fund that enabled the organisers to get this club off the ground.

"It is satisfying to see that it has really taken off, and has obviously answered a need in the community. The facilities at Olympia and indeed all our leisure centres are disability friendly and it is an important aim to make sport as inclusive as possible.

"The athletes work really hard training all year round for the bi-annual Special Olympics and I hope that in helping this club get started we are doing our bit to support future success.

"It may not be gold medals I am handing out tonight but I hope the athletes receiving these awards will see them as recognition for their hard work and continue to strive to achieve their aims of being the best they can be."

Anyone interested in joining the club or helping out as a volunteer coach should contact Olympia Leisure Centre on 028 9091 8746.

(JM)

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