​As the England football team presses on toward a World Cup Final in New York on Sunday, BBC reporter Naj Modak visited a Central Park nearer home where a group of players with disabilities were put through their paces, eyes fixed on Special Olympics gold. Strolling through the heart of Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire on a warm July evening, I found a squad training under the shade of tall trees. This team began primarily as players with Down’s syndrome but has since broadened to include individuals with various forms of intellectual disabilities.
What struck me as I watched them drill was the progress they have made since I first met the team at Bottesford Town Football Club more than eight years ago. Jake loves taking corner kicks, and he was eager to demonstrate, sharing tips on how to “wrap” the ball into the net. In the past, I’d seen the group take small steps to boost their social confidence and gradually grow their football skills; now they were proudly wearing their own club colours and gearing up to compete at this year’s Special Olympics GB National Summer Games, held at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham from 26 to 30 August.
“I feel happy,” Jake told me when I asked how he felt about competing in the tournament. “I take corners,” he added before explaining his technique. Having previously won silver at the Special Olympics in 2017, he now set his sights on scoring two goals and bringing home a gold medal this time around.
Special Olympics GB provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities or learning disabilities to participate in sport within their communities all year round. The organization notes that approximately 1.5 million people live with an intellectual disability in Great Britain, and its mission is to transform as many lives as possible through sport. Jake’s mum, Sue, has been with the team from the start, supporting fundraising efforts and transporting players to events. Her other son, Aiden, also has disabilities and is learning to coach the team.
Sue explains that the project began at Bottesford Town FC about ten years ago for young adults with Down’s syndrome, but it has since expanded to include individuals with autism, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. “My son Jake, he’s got Down’s syndrome, and he loves playing football, but he struggled to play it in the mainstream. It was too difficult, and he couldn’t keep up with the team.” She approached Bottesford Town FC to give Jake and his friends a chance to play. “For Jake to be able to play football was such a big thing for him. It’s his passion. He loves football, and he wanted to be able to play it.”
Beyond the sport itself, Sue notes that the group has strengthened friendships as well as skills. The team’s journey from informal sessions to a structured, competition-ready squad is a testament to the impact that inclusive sports programs can have on confidence, teamwork, and personal growth. As they prepare for Birmingham and the chance to add to their list of achievements, this is more than a football story—it is a narrative about community, perseverance, and the power of sport to bring people together.