This year Blackpool Polar Bears has 8 swimmers selected to go to the Special Olympics National Summer Games which is to be held in Sheffield in 2017.
The qualifying athletes are:
- Ellie Sutcliffe (aged 26),
- Erin Green (aged 15),
- Shezelle Riley (aged 26),
- Megan Crook (aged 16),
- Chloe Crook (aged 10),
- Charlotte Foster (aged 21),
- Michael Clarke (aged 17),
- Owen Boyes (aged 11)
The team will be supported by Emma Inglis (Head Coach of Blackpool Polar Bears and Assistant Head of Delegation for the North West Special Olympics team), Lynda Inglis (Team Manager/ Coach) and Andy Inglis (Coach).
The team currently train every Sunday at Moor Park Leisure Centre, and on Friday's at the Palatine Pool. They have also been training with the rest of the North West Aquatics Team in Cheshire.
The North West team will be competing in a number of different sports at the National Summer Games, and the team consists of 191 Athletes, 56 Coaches and 3 Management, of which our Head Coach Emma is one of.
The North West Aquatics team consists of 34 swimmers from across the North West, and we have got 8 of those places which is a great achievement for Blackpool Polar Bears.
The Games will be held from 5th – 12th August 2017 in Sheffield, and the team will compete in 4 days of competition alongside 2,500 athletes, 700 coaches, 500 volunteers and over 6,000 family members. The swimming event will take place at Ponds Forge Swimming Pool.
We have raised over £9,000 to date to enable the team to take part in the games and associated training sessions. All donations are gratefully appreciated.
For more information please visit the Special Olympics 2017 web site.
On the 13th September, 14 swimmers took part in the regional NASCH gala. Of those taking part 10 Blackpool Polar Bears qualified for the national event to be held in November.
The national event took place on 7th November in Leamington Spa, and we are happy to report that Blackpool Polar Bears returned to base with:
- 5 first places
- 4 second places and
- 2 third places
The following are the trophies won by Blackpool Polar Bears
- NASCH Girls' One Length - Megan
- NASCH Girls' Four Length - Erin
- Junior Relay (Wickham Trophy) - Megan, Tiagan & Erin
- Overall Runners Up (Elaine Parker Trophy)
4th October - Club's 2nd 2015 Gala
The theme of our second gala this year was "Cops and Robbers". In total, 75 members took part and a whopping 70 PBs (personal bests) were achieved.
We are very grateful to Lloyds Bank, who helped out on the day with time-keeping, record keeping and presenting medals to our members. Thanks also to Boots the Chemists for their donation of prizes for the tombola, which helped raise a total of £172 towards the running of the Club.
9th-11th October - Calvert Trust Weekend
15 members with their carers were able to spend a weekend at the Calvert Trust in the lake district in Keswick. Members took part in various activities, such as canoeing, biking, swimming, outback cooking, table tennis etc etc etc... Needless to say, a fun weekend was had by all with good food, excellent accomodation and good company.
18th October - Sposored Swim
Many thanks to all those who took part in our sponsored swim on 18th October - raising a total of £1600 for the benefit of the Club. Many thanks also to Shelly Woods, the Paralympian medalist for showing her support and presenting certificates and trophies.
24th October - Haloween Party
Our haloween party was held at Marton Institute and a really frightening experience. 120 members were able to put on their scariest faces and had plenty of fun with haloween games and trick or treats!
Team GB Success
The Los Angeles Special Olympics World Games were opened by President Obama and involved over 6,500 athletes from 165 countries. Team GB won a total of 68 gold, 69 silver and 42 bronze medals across all sports.
Our very own Emma Inglis was Assistant Coach for the aquatics team, and she was over the moon with the success of the team. Every swimmer who was supported achieved their personal best swim and won a medal. The competition was topped off with the team winning gold in the 4x25m freestyle relay - the GB swimming team returned with 4 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals. Additionally, there was a 4th place and a 6th place ribbon too.
Wanted!
Could you help the club by volunteering to support our swimmers? The club will pay the training costs for you to become either a "Helper in the Water", or an ASA level 1 swimming teacher. If you're interested, please contact Lynda on 07948 208765 or Emma on 01253 751076
Dates for your Diary
For a full list of dates, have a look at the separate article with more details. Some imminent ones follow here:
| 6th September | Swimming starts again! |
| 11th September | Presentation to volunteers and talk on the LA Special Olympics Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street |
| 18th October 2015 | Sponsored swim at Moor Park Swimming Pool |
| 24th Ocober | Haloween Party Marton Institute |
| 13th December 2015 | Christmas Party Newton Hall Country Club |
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