Eight of our members were selected for the North West England team in the swimming events at the Special Olympics “Summer Games” held in Sheffield between 7 and 12th August 2017. Prior to leaving for the competition the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Blackpool held a reception for the swimmers and support staff. All our swimmers took part in the individual “finals” and were also selected for the relay events for the North West England team. The table below summarises results for the eight from the individual events. Featured on ITV Granada News

1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th
7	1	7	2	1	1	1	1

With Blackpool Mayor

Swimmers doing backstroke Well done to all who took part in the Special Olympics Gala which took place at Palatine Pool in Blackpool on 24th September. A total of 128 swimmers from 11 clubs from across the North East and North West of England took part in 61 races.

Of course, to some it will have been important to try to win, but all who took part did so as much for the participation as the victory. After some opening words by Councillor Graham Cain the event got underway and a great day was enjoyed by everyone!

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.