Teesdale Special Olympics swimming team won the Mid Durham and Dales sports performance of the year accolade as part of the County Durham Sport awards scheme. One of the team’s highlights this year was the 31 medals which seven of the swimmers brought home having swam as part of the Northern regional team in the national championships in August.
Performances by Jonathan Taylour, Kit Heywood, Adam Rowntree, Declan Haughney, Victoria Bowman, Steven Hardy and Harvey Stonebank won the team nine gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals.
Their dedication to the pool was recognised at an awards ceremony at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.
Assistant coach Christine Taylour said: “We didn’t know hardly anyone at the awards but when it was announced there was a massive cheer.
“Afterwards people were coming up to us. It was great. We have got to keep our fingers crossed now for the next bit.” The team, along with winners from other categories, will now compete in the County Awards event which will be held at Durham’s Gala Theatre in January.
The team train twice weekly at Teesdale Leisure Centre and take part in a number of swimming galas throughout the year in preparation for the national games every two years.
Team member Jonathan Taylour also brought home a gold, silver and bronze medal from the World Games in Los Angeles back in 2015. Ms Taylour added: “The team works so hard and they are so committed. It is not just about the swimming. For them it is the whole ethos. It opens the world for them and gives them skills that they did not know they had and not just swimming skills but communication skills too. They are being accepted as part of something. It is the acceptance part which is important too. I love them all.
“It is about time they got some recognition for their hard work.”
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