Ulster Regional News

Co Antrim athletes Caolan McConville and Lucy Best made their home towns and the whole Region proud with their amazing performances in alpine skiing in Turin.

Antrim All-Stars have done great work in setting up Star Player of the Week awards, with medals and a social media shout-out for each athlete. This is great recognition of the importance of every athlete and the local clubs that make it all happen!

Ripples SOSC has recently started a new Young Athletes initiative, and there is huge interest in the club from the local community. Its first 4 volunteers were recently awarded with their Epic award certs for 50 hours of volunteering. 

On Saturday 14 December, 19 athletes from five Ulster clubs gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan for an Athlete Leadership mini-forum and awards ceremony.

Congratulations to the 160 athletes from eight Ulster bowling clubs who recently participated in two Bowling Qualifying Competitions at Holywood Bowl and Dundonald Ice Bowl recently. We sincerely appreciate the incredible support from our clubs in making these events such a great success.

Get ready to cheer on Team Ireland’s incredible skier, Lucy Best, as she gears up for the big event.  Watch her inspiring journey in this video and feel the excitement build!

Lucy has been skiing since she was 10 and has competed in the Special Olympics since Ski Ability Northern Ireland became affiliated 12 years ago. She won bronze in the downhill and giant slalom events in South Korea in 2013 and secured 2 silver medals at the European Ski Championships in 2023. Her sporting journey has been amazing, and she loves meeting new athletes and making friends. She encourages everyone to give skiing a try – “all of my coaches are fabulous!” 

Don't forget to like and follow us and join us as our Athletes train & get ready for their journey to Turin 2025!

Congratulations Special Olympics Ulster! A new Young Athletes Club has been launched! 

There were great celebrations had at the launch of the new Young Athletes section of Ripples SOC in Craigavon on Wednesday evening at South Lakes Leisure Centre

A huge congratulations to Rhythmic Gymnastics Athletes Rhoda and Jennifer who competed in the recent Regional Qualifier on the 17th Nov who are part of the LX Gymnastics Club, Dunmurray, Belfast.

LX Rhythmic Coach Niamh Loughran was delighted with the girl’s performance
“What a competition the girls had at the Special Olympics rhythmic event in Waterford! A long drive but the results were worth it with Rhoda and Jennifer bringing home two slivers, one gold and one bronze! What a performance from each of the girls. We are so proud of you and a special mention to all the judges, volunteers and parents for all their consistent support".

A huge congratulations to these 2 wonderful athletes who worked long and hard with their coaches for their medals. 

If you want to find out more about Gymnastics as a sport - click the link below!

Gymnasts from Donegal delivered an outstanding performance at the Special Olympics 2024 Ulster Qualifier in Artistic Gymnastics, bringing home an impressive 10 medals.

The team from Jump 'n' Jacks Special Olympics Gymnastics Club, based at Letterkenny Community Centre, featured Meg Carr, Emily Reid, Sarah Bradley, Chloe Tourish, and Kobe Barrett, who competed at the Salto Gymnastics Centre.

Meg Carr from Letterkenny claimed a silver medal on the vault and a gold medal in the floor exercise. Emily Reid from Donegal Town secured double gold in both the vault and floor events.
Sarah Bradley from Killygordon also struck gold on the vault and floor, while having the special honour of reciting the Athlete’s Oath to open the event.
Chloe Tourish and Kobe Barrett, both from Letterkenny, added to the medal haul with gold in the vault and floor events.

“Congratulations to our brilliant athletes for their hard work and dedication,” said a spokesperson from the club.

This remarkable achievement showcases the skill and determination of Donegal’s athletes and their commitment to the sport.