LEARNING difficulties proved no barrier to football when two Swindon teams competed in the first tournament of the Special Olympics.

The project designed to get more people with disabilities playing sport was set up in Swindon in May this year with the help of Swindon Borough Council officers, and has seen dozens of people aged 16 and over take part in a range of activities from tennis and boccia to football and athletics.

On Saturday the Futsal arm celebrated their progress so far in a tournament with a team from Redditch at the Futsal Arena in Bramble Road.

Harry Ash, project co-ordinator for the Special Olympics Swindon, said: "The Special Olympics is the third Olympics. You have the Olympics, and then the Paralympics, and the Special Olympics is designed for people with leaning difficulties.

"It's a really good way to get more people involved in the sport as well as being an opportunity to socialise and make friends.

"There isn't really much out there for people with learning difficulties to get involved in sport, which is why it's so great we were able to set this up.

"It's been amazing, their carers and families have also come along to support and it's been a really good atmosphere.

Harry said the progress made by participants in the game was outstanding, thanks to the support of their coach, Swindon Town In the Community member Tom Cox.

"The distance they've come since we started training is incredible," he said.

"It wouldn't have been possible without Tom's hard work.

“The Special Olympics Swindon club has made huge progress since it started in May.

"When this started there were only three or four people who came along to training, now we have at least 20 people coming along to play.

“We now have four sports with regularly attended sessions where the participants get to enjoy some inclusive sport and meet new people every week and we are looking to host more competitions for all four sports at both a local and regional level in the next year.”

After the tournament, boxer Jamie Cox presented participants with medals and other awards.

The day also saw the team in their very own strip, sponsored by George Webb Fitness Training and Galax Care Ltd.

Details for the Special Olympics Swindon training sessions can be found at the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/specialolympicsswindon or to find out more email hash@swindon.gov.uk.