Volunteers attend Coalisland Special Olympics club launch

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More than 40 people have attended a meeting to help launch a new Special Olympics club in Coalisland.

The Eagles Special Olympics Club will help adults and children over eight who have learning disabilities to become more involved in the world of sport by encouraging them to take part in weekly training sessions, with the hope of advancing to the Special Olympics.

The new Coalisland-based organisation was discussed in a meeting at O’Neills Bar in the town on Thursday, September 29.

Victoria Kelly, of Special Olympics Ulster, explained to the crowd the requirements needed to be a registered Special Olympics club.

Speaking about the enthusiasm shown in the town, she said: “There certainly seems to be alot of interest in the area.”

The next step for the club is to form a committee, with several volunteers signing up after the meeting.

Volunteers were appointed to positions providing there are no objections. The provisional committee is as follows:

The club still requires a secretary and a range of committee members to fulfill other roles in deputy positions.

Special Olympics Ulster representatives will return to Coalisland on Wednesday, October 19 to meet with the new committee, go through their roles in more detail, and to formally register the club.

Paul Sweeney, newly appointed sports officer and head coach for the club, said: “The organisers were very pleased with the large turnout on Thursday and know there are a number of people who couldn’t attend but are willing to add their support when required.

“Eagles is a cross-community initiative and has no boundaries of any kind, so please come and join us and lend your support.”

To get involved as club secretary, to become a general committee member or for more information,  email eaglesspecialolympicsclub@mail.com or join the club’s Facebook page for details.