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Welcome to Special Olympics Bahamas
Newsletter July 2022
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A fast and easy way to keep up-to-date with special events, programmes and athlete information. |
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Our Mission
To provide year round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuous opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. |
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"You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory."
~ Eunice Kennedy Shriver |
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Did You Know…
That for the first time in the history of the Special Olympics USA Games countries outside of the USA were invited to participate? The Special Olympics USA Games are held every four years within the USA and these games are the National Games for programs within the United States of America. The Special Olympics 2022 USA Games were very special and history making, as for the first time ever, countries such as Canada and the many Caribbean countries which form a part of the SONA Region (Special Olympics North America) were invited to participate. Not only was this a tremendous opportunity for countries like The Bahamas but it also turned out to be an experience of a lifetime for many of our athletes (and coaches) that were selected to represent Special Olympics Bahamas at these games. Many of our athletes were either travelling to the USA for the first time in their lives, visiting a Disney Park for the very first time or competing internationally for the very first time.
The next version of the Special Olympics USA Games will be held in 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and it is hoped that the Caribbean programs will once again be invited to participate.
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“You Are The Stars…”
How did YOUR Special Olympics Bahamas delegation perform at the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games?
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Stephen "Goliath" Russell (GB) Vashni "Metro" Thompson (NP)
Male singles – Gold Female singles – Bronze
Vashni/Stephen – Doubles - Gold
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Coach Doris Knowles (GB) Deron Forbes (NP)
400m – Gold, 200m – 5th |
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Austin "Mr. Big Stuff" Green (NP) Bronson "B Man" Aranha (NP)
Singles (M5) – 4th Singles (M12) – Bronze
Austin/Bronson – Doubles – 5th |
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Head Coach Mark Hardy (GB) Asst. Coach Omri Williams (NP) |
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Team Manager Cheryl Hurst (GB) Add Staff - Julieann Andrews (NP) |
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Caitlin Romer (NP) Levar Laing (GB) |
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K'Lizz Ellis - Unified Partner (NP) Nakatio Seymour (NP) |
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Dennis "The Menace" Maycock (GB) Jarren Capron - Unified Partner (GB) |
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Orien Clough (GB) Justin Miller(GB) |
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HOD Gilbert Williams (NP) AHOD Johnneice Blyden (NP) |
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Special Olympics Fun Facts
(Replace the asterisks with letters or numbers to reveal the correct answers)
1. O * * A * * O (Host City for the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games)
2. M * NN * S * T * (Host state for the next Special Olympics USA Games)
3. * O * IA * * (Winner of 2 gold medals at the Special Olympics USA Games)
4. C * R * BB * * N (Group of countries that competed at the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games for the first time)
5. * * (Total number in Bahamas delegation that travelled to the Special Olympics USA Games)
(Answers Below)
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Special Olympics Unified Cup (soccer tournament)
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Caitlin Romer K'Lizz Ellis |
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During the week of July 31 st – August 6 th , the city of Detroit, Michigan will
welcome Special Olympics footballers from around the globe as it will host the
prestigious Unified Cup sponsored by Toyota.
This year, The Caribbean was invited to enter a female Unified Team and will compete
in the 7 a side tournament. Making up the “Caribbean Spice” team of female players
will be ladies from Aruba, Haiti, Jamaica and The Bahamas. Representing The Bahamas
are Special Olympics athlete Caitlin Romer, Unified Partner K’Lizz Ellis and Chaperone
and long time volunteer Shekera Johnson. “This is a fantastic opportunity for two of
our female players to compete at the highest level of football competition in the
world of Special Olympics” said National Director Gilbert Williams. Both Caitlin and
K’Lizz recently got the opportunity to test their skills at the Special Olympics USA
Games, and will now intensify their training in preparation for the Unified Cup.
Best wishes to our Caribbean Spice team as they seek to make their mark at this
prestigious tournament.
Photo: Shekera Johnson
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Are you looking for something meaningful and exciting to do? Would you like to give a gift that will last a lifetime? If your answer is yes, we encourage you to consider becoming a volunteer with Special Olympics Bahamas. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, a back yard griller, an office administrator, a certified sports coach or just love helping people we would love to have you join our team of awesome volunteers. For more information on how you can GET INVOLVED, contact us at 3593558 or 4770304 or visit our website at www.specialolympicsbahamas.org to download a volunteer registration form.
Your Life Will Never Be The Same!
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The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development along
with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities
(NCPD) recently held a reception to recognize and highlight
members of the Special Olympics Bahamas USA Games
delegation. The delegation had just returned home from
competing at the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games in Orlando,
Florida. The reception was held at Super Clubs Breezes, and the
keynote address was given by Minister of Social Services and
Urban Development, Obie Wilchombe.
THANK YOU Ministry of Social Services, our athletes thoroughly
enjoyed themselves and were truly appreciative of the
recognition. |
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Dear friends and supporters of Special Olympics Bahamas,
It is that time of year again when we seek to help our own cause by staging
our Annual Raffle/Fund Raiser.
Last year’s event was very successful, due primarily to the support of persons
like yourself, and this allowed us to step up our training programmes, where
we were able to adequately prepare our athletes to take part in the recently
held Special Olympics USA Game. Our team performed extremely well and
returned home with six medals, four gold and 2 bronze, along with two 4th
place finishes and a 5th place.
This year’s raffle will be held on August 13th, and with your support, we are
looking to have even greater success than last year. Once again, funds raised
from this event will be used to assist with the day to day running of our overall
programme, which includes training our athletes for local and international
competition.
In addition to your financial support, we ask that you #spreadtheword and
encourage others to #getinvolved and lend their support.
Thank you for your assistance and continued support.
Tickets are available at Ty’s Place, Village road and at Stapledon School,
Dolphin drive. You can also contact 3593558 or 4770304 for more information
on how to get tickets.
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Looking Ahead
- July 31-August 6 – Special Olympics Unified Cup (Soccer Tournament), Detroit, Michigan
- August 13 – Special Olympics Bahamas Annual Raffle/Fund Raiser
- Sept/10 – New Training sessions begin
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Fun Fact Answers:
1. ORLANDO
2. MINNESOTA
3. GOLIATH
4. CARIBBEAN
5. 23 |
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THANK YOU!
Special Olympics Bahamas wishes to thank the many individuals and organizations that continue to support our great movement. The work that we do would not be possible without your financial support.
With your continued support our athletes will continue to shine and make the entire Bahamas extremely proud.
To make your 2022 donation or to enquire on sponsorship opportunities, you can contact us at 3593558, 4770304 or you can e mail us at
info@specialolympicsbahamas.org
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For edetails on how you can secure your sponsorship for this newsletter, contact us at 3593558 or email us at info@specialolympicsbahamas.org
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