2017 National Summer Games families programme launched
It’s a family affair for Special Olympics GB ahead of their National Summer Games next year. As they launch a new families programme for the 10th edition of the National Summer Games that will take place in Sheffield in August 2017.
The Lord Mayor of Sheffield came together with Councillor Talib Hussain, Special Olympics GB athletes and key partners Lions Clubs International to reveal details of what the anticipated 5,000 family members and near 3,000 athletes can expect at next year’s National Games.
The launch was also an opportunity to invite businesses, restaurants and entertainment outlets in the area to get involved. To show how they will extend a warm welcome to the families of the Special Olympics’ athletes heading to the steel city from all corners of the country next summer.
Lions Clubs International are delighted to support the families programme for the second consecutive National Games - to coincide with their 100th anniversary. The plans are already in place to facilitate a successful families programme to include a city centre welcome and families hub. Where they will host a range of events and activities, and signpost people to the local must see attractions in Sheffield and the surrounding area.
The National Games will be the largest disability sports event in the UK in 2017. It will be a celebration of high quality sports competition and entry to all sports venues will be free to the public.
Gaye Barber, Director of Volunteering & Community Engagement at Special Olympics GB said:
“As well as making plans and arrangements for the athletes, we are also gearing up to welcome their families and friends who will be travelling from all around Great Britain. This could be anything up to 5,000 additional people and we want them to enjoy the competition but also enjoy the wonderful and historic city of Sheffield."
Barber continues:
“These Games are a big family affair and this launch is an opportunity to let the local community and businesses know. Our family members will be staying in and around Sheffield itself, eating in their restaurants, staying in their hotels and visiting their attractions.
I am delighted to be working with Lions Clubs International who are the Family programme partner again, and I know they will build on the wonderful programme they delivered in Bath in 2013 to ensure that the families have a memorable Games experience in Sheffield. My thanks to them all for their generous and enthusiastic ongoing support for Special Olympics GB.”
Special Olympics GB’s National Summer Games is the 10th in the history of the charity and will be held in Sheffield from Monday 7th August until Friday 11th August 2017. The date of the opening ceremony will be Tuesday 8th August 2017. This will be the second time that the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games have been held in Sheffield – the last time was in 1993.
Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year-round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual (learning) disabilities. Almost 1.2 million people in the UK (2% of the population) have a learning disability.
