Club welcomes SOGB Unified Football Team ahead of Special Olympics World Games

Last week, the Club welcomed the SOGB Unified Football Team to Hotspur Way ahead of them competing in the Special Olympics World Games later this month.

Special Olympics is a global organisation that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities through sport.

Starting on Saturday 17 June, the Special Olympics World Games will open at the iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin, with thousands of athletes competing together in 26 summer sports over eight consecutive days.

Last week’s visit was arranged in partnership with Coca-Cola, the Club’s Official Soft Drink Partner and a founding partner and global sponsor of Special Olympics. Coca-Cola has been at the forefront of the movement to celebrate the limitless potential of individuals with intellectual disabilities and the power of sport to bring people together and, ultimately, transform lives.

The Club has also been a long-term supporter of the Special Olympics since 2007, when our Foundation first began delivering Unified Football sessions throughout the local community.

We have also supported international Special Olympics branches by delivering Unified Football sessions during pre-season tours, with the Special Olympics Bharat movement supported by our India Spurs Official Supporters’ Club.

During their visit, athletes from the SOGB Unified Football Team who will compete in Berlin were joined by Club Ambassadors Ledley King and Michael Dawson and local students from Haringey Sixth Form College for an inclusive football training session led by our Foundation coaches.

After the session, the team had the chance to ask Ledley and Daws questions including: how they found playing in major tournaments, what obstacles they have overcome in their career, and what values have they learnt on the pitch which they use in their everyday lives.

Michael Dawson said: “Today’s event has been fantastic. Sport should be accessible for all and events such as the Special Olympics World Games helps break down barriers and encourages more people to get involved. I would like to wish Team GB every success during the upcoming Games.”

Ben Matthews, Head Coach of the SOGB Unified Football Team, commented: “A massive thank you to Spurs and Coca-Cola for an incredible day. For our athletes to have the opportunity to train like professionals, as well as meeting Ledley and Michael, two unbelievable players and ambassadors for the club, just a few days before we fly to Berlin is an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

To find out more about the Special Olympics World Games, visit: https://www.berlin2023.org.