Special Olympics Great Britain hosted its first Athlete Leadership Forum at the start of the month to celebrate the graduating members of its Athlete Leadership programme over the last two years.
Having helped 47 athletes become Athlete Leaders through a six-month programme in 2022 and 2023, all graduates were invited to an online event, which was opened by Special Olympics GB Chair Paul Richardson.
Athletes took part in several workshops with Special Olympics GB National Office staff, which were themed on club development, fundraising, coaching, competitions and the potential home bid for the 2031 Special Olympics World Games.
Members of the Athlete Leadership Team, which regularly meets with the Special Olympics GB board to discuss key strategic activity, also presented to attendees about the group’s role and the elected vacancies that will be created within the team next year.
Athlete Leadership Team member Kiera Byland BEM also gave a presentation on the importance of athlete voice before the event finished with a disco.
Tom Casson, Head of Projects (Impact and Inclusion) at Special Olympics GB, said: “It was fantastic to bring together so many athletes at this first leadership forum to celebrate the progress that they have made in their personal development.
“We want our Athlete Leadership programme to support the goals of our athletes, whether that’s enhancing their skill sets, gaining employment, taking steps towards a more independent lifestyle and more.
“The programme takes place online and we try to make it as flexible as possible so that athletes can take part in the monthly sessions or follow it and complete the tasks in their own time.
“We’re now taking registrations for the 2024 Athlete Leadership Programme and welcome the opportunity to support more athletes on their journey.”
For further details on the Athlete Leadership programme and signing up for the Class of 2024, please click here.