Footballers eye up gold at Special Olympics

As the England football team attempt to forge a path towards the World Cup Final in New York on Sunday, BBC reporter Naj Modak visited a Central Park closer to home where a group of players with disabilities were being put through their paces as they set their sights on Special Olympics gold.

Strolling through the park in the heart of Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire on a hot July evening, I was met by a group of footballers training in the shade of the trees.

This was a team that had originally been made up of players with Down's syndrome, but since expanded to include those with varying forms of intellectual disability.

As the players set about their drills, what stood out to me was the progress they had made since I first met the team at their Bottesford Town Football Club home more than eight years ago.

I had seen the players taking small steps to increase their social confidence and witnessed their football skills starting to grow.

But now I was watching a team wearing their own colours and preparing to compete at this year's Special Olympics GB National Summer Games at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham between 26 and 30 August.

"I feel happy," said Jake when I asked him how he felt about competing in the tournament.

"I take corners," he said, before giving me tips on how to "wrap" the ball into the net.

Having previously won silver at the Special Olympics in 2017, he said this time he would aim to score two goals and win a gold medal.

Special Olympics GB offers people with intellectual disabilities or learning disabilities a chance to take part in sport within their communities all year round.

It said there were about 1.5 million people living with an intellectual disability in Great Britain and it was its mission to help transform the lives of as many as possible.

Jake's mum, Sue, has been with the team from the start and supported them through fundraising and transport. Her other son, Aiden, also has disabilities and is learning to coach the team.

Sue said the team was set up at Bottesford Town about 10 years ago for young adults with Down's syndrome, but had expanded to include those with autism, ADHD and other learning disabilities.

"My son Jake, he's got Down's syndrome and he loves playing football but struggled to play it mainstream.

"He found it too difficult and couldn't keep up with the team."

Sue said she approached Bottesford Town FC to give Jake and his friends a chance to play.

"For Jake to be able to play football was just such a big thing for him," she said.

"It's his passion. He loves football and he wanted to be able to play it."

She said not only had the group developed their football skills but they had also strengthened their friendships.

She said: "When your child is born and you find out they have a disability, it's a complete unknown but my commitment was always that my boys would access as much as possible in their lives."

Sue said Bottesford Town FC had been "amazing" and praised their facilities including the sports hall used for training and the 4G pitch which they played on all year round.

However, she said there were challenges along the way after they were accepted into the games in 2021, only to see them cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It set quite a few of them back. Jake was one of those who struggled," she said.

However, she said the "biggest challenge" was to raise £10,000 for the travel and accommodation for two teams to enable them to compete in this year's games.

Manager, Michael Potts, said the training was "ramping up" ahead of the competition and the players were "excited".

He said playing on the 4G surface had helped them to grow.

With the expansion of the team to include people with varying intellectual disabilities, he said the coaching team had adapted to provide the right support.

Mason plays in goal and said the team had a "rock solid" defence.

When I asked him if he had any tips to strengthen the England men's football team's defence, he said they should "train hard" and the goalkeeper should focus on "throwing the ball out" properly.

After saving a penalty at his last competition, he said he was also aiming for gold.

Taylor said he joined the team 10 years ago and played in defence. He said the training was progressing well.

His advice to others was to train hard and he predicted scoring four goals.

As I walked back through the park, I looked back and saw the passion and professionalism of the team as they prepared for the competition.

I wonder when I visit again, how many more of their dreams will have been realised.

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