Berlin’s World Games historical as Hockey Federation joins Special Olympics
Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics and Tayyab Ikram, FIH President Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 on June 24, 2023 in Berlin, Germany (Photo by Special Olympics)
BERLIN, June 24, 2023 - Special Olympics and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have forged a partnership agreement dedicated to the development of hockey for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This groundbreaking collaboration marked its debut at the World Games in Berlin, where 13 teams from 12 countries showcased their skills and enthusiasm.
LIFE MEMORIES The momentous signing ceremony was graced by the athletes Rob Crosse from Great Britain and Sem Storm from the Netherlands, who shared their heartfelt experiences. Rob Crosse reflected on his journey in hockey, remarking: “I started training and playing hockey 8 years ago. I like it when it is a big hockey family. The hockey ID family is thrilled to be in Berlin and be part of the Special Olympics World Games for the very first time. It has been a fabulously fun time and life memories.”
Sem Storm expressed her deep affection for hockey, revealing, “I learned that from hockey I am more confident than I think I am. I learned how to control my emotions and I use this in my work.”
GRATITUDE AND PARTNERSHIP Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics, eloquently shared her gratitude and thoughts on the partnership, emphasizing: “I’m so honoured about this partnership. The greatest value of a partnership like this is the access to a local level. Because that is what we needed. We can introduce ourselves with this access to everyone. We are grateful to the FIH for their leadership in including people with intellectual disabilities in their sports and look forward to our future together.”
In a resolute promise to further develop the Hockey ID family, FIH President Tayyab Ikram declared: “I would like to express our gratitude to Special Olympics for partnering with us to boost the development of hockey for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I promise you, we will take all of you to the next level that is my promise to you today. Special Olympics Hockey (Hockey ID) has been an integral part of our global hockey community for years now, and I’m glad that more and more National Associations are embracing it. Hockey is for all!”
HEARTWARMING In a heartfelt gesture, President Ikram bestowed a gift upon Norman Hughes, the Technical Delegate for Hockey at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin. When asked about his source of fulfilment after tireless efforts, Norman expressed: ” The Biggest gift they gave me is to be here and have smiles on their face and have fun. That’s the best gift that anybody can have”. Norman Hughes also serves as the Project Leader of Hockey ID at the FIH, and he firmly believes that events like these inspire nations worldwide to embark on their own remarkable journeys.
EMOTIONAL CONNECTION This extraordinary partnership holds a deeply significant meaning for Fiona Murray, Director of Coach Education at Special Olympics International. With a lifelong passion for hockey since the tender age of eight, Fiona explained, “Hockey gave me everything in my life. It has given me my best friends. Hockey gave me confidence and I worked for Special Olympics for 20 years. It's so emotional for me to see Special Olympics community embrace my sport and see my sport embrace Special Olympics. It's really exciting and really inspiring. It makes me so proud to see it. People with intellectual disabilities have so much to gain from playing sports, any sports. But team sports are special, team sports are family. ”
INCLUSIVITY AND COLLABORATION Maggie Brennan, representing Special Olympics International, shared her perspective, expressing, “My perspective of view is I’m involved a lot of international sports federation partners. Every time I see a federation sign in I’m always very excited. We have Special Olympics hockey athletes but they are also hockey athletes. They deserve to be part of the all-hockey community. It is just exciting for us to see that our athletes are being included. “
Through this transformative agreement, the FIH gains the opportunity to share coaching development resources with Special Olympics, while National Hockey Associations can collaborate closely with their Special Olympics counterparts to foster growth and inclusivity within their respective communities.
LIFE MEMORIES The momentous signing ceremony was graced by the athletes Rob Crosse from Great Britain and Sem Storm from the Netherlands, who shared their heartfelt experiences. Rob Crosse reflected on his journey in hockey, remarking: “I started training and playing hockey 8 years ago. I like it when it is a big hockey family. The hockey ID family is thrilled to be in Berlin and be part of the Special Olympics World Games for the very first time. It has been a fabulously fun time and life memories.”
Sem Storm expressed her deep affection for hockey, revealing, “I learned that from hockey I am more confident than I think I am. I learned how to control my emotions and I use this in my work.”
GRATITUDE AND PARTNERSHIP Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics, eloquently shared her gratitude and thoughts on the partnership, emphasizing: “I’m so honoured about this partnership. The greatest value of a partnership like this is the access to a local level. Because that is what we needed. We can introduce ourselves with this access to everyone. We are grateful to the FIH for their leadership in including people with intellectual disabilities in their sports and look forward to our future together.”
In a resolute promise to further develop the Hockey ID family, FIH President Tayyab Ikram declared: “I would like to express our gratitude to Special Olympics for partnering with us to boost the development of hockey for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I promise you, we will take all of you to the next level that is my promise to you today. Special Olympics Hockey (Hockey ID) has been an integral part of our global hockey community for years now, and I’m glad that more and more National Associations are embracing it. Hockey is for all!”
HEARTWARMING In a heartfelt gesture, President Ikram bestowed a gift upon Norman Hughes, the Technical Delegate for Hockey at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin. When asked about his source of fulfilment after tireless efforts, Norman expressed: ” The Biggest gift they gave me is to be here and have smiles on their face and have fun. That’s the best gift that anybody can have”. Norman Hughes also serves as the Project Leader of Hockey ID at the FIH, and he firmly believes that events like these inspire nations worldwide to embark on their own remarkable journeys.
EMOTIONAL CONNECTION This extraordinary partnership holds a deeply significant meaning for Fiona Murray, Director of Coach Education at Special Olympics International. With a lifelong passion for hockey since the tender age of eight, Fiona explained, “Hockey gave me everything in my life. It has given me my best friends. Hockey gave me confidence and I worked for Special Olympics for 20 years. It's so emotional for me to see Special Olympics community embrace my sport and see my sport embrace Special Olympics. It's really exciting and really inspiring. It makes me so proud to see it. People with intellectual disabilities have so much to gain from playing sports, any sports. But team sports are special, team sports are family. ”
INCLUSIVITY AND COLLABORATION Maggie Brennan, representing Special Olympics International, shared her perspective, expressing, “My perspective of view is I’m involved a lot of international sports federation partners. Every time I see a federation sign in I’m always very excited. We have Special Olympics hockey athletes but they are also hockey athletes. They deserve to be part of the all-hockey community. It is just exciting for us to see that our athletes are being included. “
Through this transformative agreement, the FIH gains the opportunity to share coaching development resources with Special Olympics, while National Hockey Associations can collaborate closely with their Special Olympics counterparts to foster growth and inclusivity within their respective communities.
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