England and Manchester City star signs-up to Special Olympics GB as a principal Ambassador
Special Olympics GB, the non-profit organisation and largest provider of year-round sports training and competition in summer and winter sports for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities, has announced that Jack Grealish, the 26-year-old England football star, has become a principal Ambassador.
Jack Grealish has committed to a long-term role with Special Olympics GB with the aim of raising visibility of the charity’s work throughout Great Britain and driving support and opportunities for the 1.5 million people who live with intellectual disabilities in Great Britain today.
Grealish, who became the most expensive English football player ever when he signed for Manchester City from Aston Villa last year for £100 million, has committed to using his platform to shine a light on the empowering role that Special Olympics GB plays in driving inclusion and creating possibilities for all individuals to be accepted regardless of ability or disability.
Jack Grealish said: “I’ve been thinking for some time about how I can best use the platform football has given me to create a positive change, and it had to be something really close to my heart. Special Olympics GB is such an important organisation, playing a huge role in tackling the lack of inclusion for hundreds of thousands of kids in the UK with intellectual disabilities. Nobody should be excluded from opportunities, and I can’t stand bullying or discrimination! In my new role with Special Olympics GB, I’m proud to stand side-by-side with all the children, young people and adults living with intellectual disabilities, and the incredible families who support them. I hope that everyone in Great Britain gets behind Special Olympics GB and its incredible athletes and volunteers. So please follow Special Olympics GB on their social channels and together we can start to make a real difference.”
Colin Dyer, CEO of Special Olympics GB said: “Everyone at Special Olympics is delighted and excited Jack has agreed to join Special Olympics GB as a principal Ambassador. After a truly challenging time for many people during the pandemic, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, there is so much positive momentum in Special Olympics GB at this time, it is the perfect moment to welcome Jack to the family. We look forward to continuing to add to our diverse group of Ambassadors to accompany Jack on his new mission with Special Olympics GB in the near future.”
Paul Richardson, Chair of Special Olympics GB said: “The fact that Jack’s made the choice to align his brand with Special Olympics GB is testament to the importance of the work we are committed to doing and the ambitious growth plans ahead. Jack shares our vision for an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives. We are looking forward to working together with Jack and his team to make this a reality and I hope that everyone who doesn’t know about Special Olympics GB or intellectual disabilities will check out our Special Olympics GB website and social media platforms to see the massive, diverse and inspiring community we are proud to represent.”
Niall Guite, Special Olympics World Games gold medallist, artist, and member of the Special Olympics GB Athlete Leadership Team, said: “I love football so much and it’s amazing to be on the same team as Jack Grealish! To have such an important player and public figure supporting our community gives us all so much energy and motivation. Thanks Jack and welcome to Special Olympics GB!”
Special Olympics GB has ambitious growth plans for 2022 including the return to full-scale competition from June to September with the largest celebration of intellectual disability sport in Great Britain with a brand-new format, The Special Olympics GB Summer Series of Sport. And 2023 is also set to be a big year for Special Olympics GB with the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin next June. Having Jack Grealish cheering on #TeamSOGB will be truly special for all the amazing athletes involved.
