Former Everton FC player presents Olympic Medals

Former Everton FC player presents Olympic Medals

The Blues Ambassador, Ian Snodin, was at the Archbishop Beck Tennis Centre in Liverpool to watch the EitC School Olympics, which is an annual event that involves 14 SLD (Severe Learning Difficulties) schools across the Merseyside region. The former Everton FC player was on hands to present Olympic medals to the local school children.

The event is staged for children of varying ability levels and offers the youngsters the chance to participate in sports such as football, archery, curling, volleyball and rowing.

“It’s absolutely brilliant!” said Snods after the medal ceremony. “To see the kids trying new sports and making new friends has been fantastic and every single one of them looks as though they’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Development of social skills and self-confidence

EitC Disability Development Coach, Jess McNally, co-ordinated the day and explained why such events are so beneficial for those with severe learning difficulties.

“The Head teachers of the SLD schools came together as a forum and devised these Olympics and it’s been terrific for us to be involved,” she said. It helps with the development of the children’s social skills and self-confidence in a safe, supported environment and it enables them to meet young people from other schools.”

Before the presenting of the medals, all the schools took part in an Olympic-style parade around the Tennis Centre, carrying the individual banners of their own schools. “Every child got a medal and that’s the way it should be” added Snods. “I’ve really enjoyed it, even when some of the kids used me as a target for the archery!”