Sports Awards

IT HAS been a year to remember for North Staffordshire's Special Olympics team.

At least 80 athletes from the area travelled to Leicester for the Special Olympics, and came back with 74 medals, including 27 golds.

More than 100 athletes took part in the six sports comprising the games – football, athletics, swimming, basketball, badminton and kayaking.

Among the gold medal winners in athletics were Paula Mason, Jane Brough, Joanne O'Connor, Lee Davies and Steve Farmer.

In badminton, Matthew Knight, Mark Gilbert and Danielle Smith all grabbed the top prize in their age groups.

And in kayaking, Daniel Marsh, Carl Wilson, Stella Jelly and Cameron Beatley achieved the gold standard.

Such was North Staffs' success at Leicester that they have been nominated in the team category of the Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year awards by Special Olympics coach and fund-raiser Matthew Fry.

He said: "It was an amazing achievement and it made me so proud to see the athletes do so well.

"To come back with so many medals was a testament to how hard they worked in 2009.

"It proved how much local sporting talent there is across the area."

Before they headed to Leicester last summer, the athletes had dinner with the then Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Derek Capey.

Fry added: "He gave them all a Stoke-on-Trent pin badge and asked them to wear them at the opening ceremony.

"It highlighted how proud they were of representing Stoke-on-Trent. They flew the flag for the area."

Part of the success can be put down to a dedicated band of volunteers who help the athletes fulfil their potential.

The North Staffordshire Special Olympics Committee involves more than 20 people who work tirelessly as volunteers to coach special needs and learning disability athletes throughout the week.

"We couldn't do it without the dedication and commitment shown by the volunteers," added Fry.

Tony Fry, who has been appointed chairman of the North Staffs Special Olympics team for 2010, added: "As well as being extremely talented, they all work hard.

"Everyone did themselves and North Staffordshire proud."

JON OWEN