Andrew Stuart, 19 year old Golfer from Dunblane, is all set to represent Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Games, set for 14-21 March in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. More than 7,000 athletes from 170 countries will compete in 24 summer sports, along with 2,500 coaches. These will be the first Special Olympics World Games in the Middle East/North Africa region. The 2019 World Games kick off with a star-studded Opening Ceremony in the iconic Zayed Sports City Stadium in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the largest sports venue in the Persian Gulf. In addition to sports competition, the 2019 World Games will feature inspiring non-sports activities and programs, including Unified Sports experiences, free Healthy Athletes screenings, Global Youth Leadership Summit, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Andrew has been playing golf since the age of eight and has represented Forth Valley Disability Sport at three National Summer Games including Leicester 2009, Bath 2013 and Sheffield 2017 and at the Anniversary Games hosted in Stirling in 2018. 2018 was a very successful year for Andrew winning 18 medals or trophies in golf. Forth Valley Disability Sport would like to wish Andrew and the Great Britain team the very best of luck.
Laura Stuart, Andrew’s mum, said: “It always was a dream for Andrew to one day play for his country. Andrew has made many friends over the years through playing golf within the Special Olympics and is giving him great confidence to be around different people. Andrew would like to thank his grandad and his Special Olympics Head Coach Jamie McDonald for always helping him. And all the family and friends who made it possible for Andrew to get to the World Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi it is a great achievement for Andrew and as a family we are all very proud of him.”
Forth Valley Disability Sport is the leading organisation in the Forth Valley area providing sporting opportunities to people with physical, learning, sensory and complex needs. We have many clubs and partners providing these and if you would like to know anything about sport or physical activity, please get in touch. You can do this by contacting us, give us a call on 01786 466486 or connecting with us via our social media channels – Facebook and Twitter.