Shimna Stars Special Olympics were represented at the 2017 Regional Advancement and Skills Event Program on Saturday 1 April by ten athletes competing in the Non-Advancement Skills section and eight athletes participating in the Regional Advancement Team event writes Laurence McAlinden.
In the Skills Event, despite the April Fools’ date, the Shimna athletes turned out not to be fools. Competing in their respective divisions Shimna Stars athletes won 4 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals with 1 placed. The male basketball team emerged victorious in division 2 to win Gold.
Winning Gold Medals were: Martin Trimble: Michelle Crawford: Jaden Stovell and Joanne McVeigh. Silver Medals ent to: Emma Clendinning: Joshua Mallon: Michelle Coyne, and
Bronze Medals were collected by Tori Campbell: Kitt Gotto. Also placed was Orla McKervey.
This proved to be a very successful day for all involved with the Shimna Stars Special Olympic Club and once again proved the talent and ability that the group has developed over recent years and the months of coaching.
Team Event.
Competing in Division 2 of the Team Event Shimna Stars SOC were pitted against Coleraine Cougars and Ards Wizards. Game 1 featured Shimna against the Cougars. This proved to be a very difficult assignment as the teams matched each other score for score during the first 3 quarters. For some considerable time it looked as if Shimna would not succeed on the day as numerous shots failed to fall for them. It was not until the final quarter the fitter Shimna Stars overcame the Cougars to win the game 18 – 13.
Game 2 matched Shimna against Ards Wizards. Despite a slow start and after some well chosen words from the Shimna coaches Shimna were able to relax and play their best basketball of the season. Shimna were always able to setup fast break opportunities and with great support play they dominated the floor and eventually ran out winners 33 – 7 to take the gold medal. This was a superb example of team work and support play exercised by the entire panel and a well earned result.
Team: Sean Brannigan, CJ.Hennessy, L,Hennessy, P.Hennessy, G.McBride, D.McCrum, R.McMullan, N.Rogan
Many thanks to the volunteers from Shimna Stars SOC who attended on the day – Elaine, Jenny, Kay, Anne, Michelle, John, Mark and Laurence and to all the volunteers who assisted in the preparation leading up to the games.
