On behalf of everyone at the Chiefs Basketball Team, we would like to extend our sincere thanks for your generous donation towards our participation in the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games, held in Manchester from 7th–9th August 2026.
Your support played a vital role in helping our athletes take part in this incredible national event. Thanks to your contribution, the trip was made accessible for all of our competing players, including some athletes who may otherwise have been unable to attend due to financial constraints. Your generosity helped ensure that every player had the opportunity to represent our club, develop their skills, and experience the excitement and camaraderie of competing on a national stage.
We were proud to take a delegation of 12 athletes to the Games. Our Division 1 squad consisted of eight players representing the Chiefs Basketball Team. Our remaining four players joined athletes from the Midlands region to form the SEM (South East Midlands) team, competing in Division 2 and ensuring that all athletes were able to participate and compete.
The competition began with divisioning games on Saturday morning, which determined the final groupings for the tournament. From Saturday afternoon through to Sunday morning, the athletes competed against some of the strongest Special Olympics basketball teams from across the United Kingdom. Both teams performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament. At the conclusion of the preliminary rounds, the SEM team secured an impressive third-place finish in their division and gained a bronze medal. Meanwhile, our Division 1 squad progressed to the bronze medal playoff, competing for third and fourth
place.
The playoff game was an intense and closely fought contest from start to finish. Both teams battled hard, with neither side able to establish a significant lead. In a dramatic finale, the Chiefs secured victory by a single point in the final minute of the game.
The celebrations that followed were awesome. Our athletes were ecstatic, and the achievement was shared by coaches, volunteers, families, and supporters who had travelled to Manchester to cheer the team on.
We could not be prouder of our athletes. Every player demonstrated determination, resilience, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the Games. They represented both our club and Hertfordshire with distinction. Our Division 1 team finished the tournament having only been defeated by Team Wales and Team North of England. An outstanding accomplishment for a relatively small, volunteer-run club. To compete successfully against some of the strongest teams in the country and return home with a bronze medal is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes and coaching team.
Beyond the results, the Games provided opportunities for athletes to build confidence, develop independence, make new friendships, and create memories that will last a lifetime. For many of our players, this was the highlight of their sporting year and an experience they will never forget.
None of this would have been possible without the support and generosity of people and organisations such as yourselves. Your contributions enabled our athletes to travel, compete, and experience all that the National Summer Games had to offer. More importantly, you helped ensure that financial circumstances did not become a barrier to participation. Every athlete returned home with a tremendous sense of achievement, pride, and belonging. The memories, friendships, and confidence gained from this experience will have a lasting impact long after the medals have been awarded. Thank you for believing in our athletes and for helping make this incredible experience possible.