Special Olympics GB ropes in Jack Grealish as ambassador

Manchester City and England football star Jack Grealish has been roped in as the Principal Ambassador for the non-profit organisation Special Olympics GB.

Grealish hopes to ‘create a positive change’ and wants to use his profile to raise awareness about the organisation’s work, especially in providing support and opportunities for the ones with intellectual disability. Grealish, who is England’s highest-paid footballer, stated that his long-term partnership with the organisation is built around both sharing common goals.

Grealish stated:

“I’ve been thinking for some time about how I can best use the platform football has given me to create a positive change, and it has to be something really close to my heart.

“Special Olympics GB is such an important organisation, playing a huge role in tackling the lack of inclusion for hundreds of thousands of kids in the UK with intellectual disabilities. Nobody should be excluded from opportunities, and I can’t stand bullying or discrimination. In my new role with Special Olympics GB, I’m proud to stand side by side with all the children, young people and adults living with intellectual disabilities, and the incredible families who support them.

“I hope that everyone in Great Britain gets behind Special Olympics GB and its incredible athletes and volunteers. So please follow Special Olympics GB on their social channels and together we can start to make a real difference.”

Colin Dyer, CEO of Special Olympics GB, added:

“Everyone at the Special Olympics is delighted and excited Jack has agreed to join Special Olympics GB as a principal ambassador. After a truly challenging time for many people during the pandemic, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, there is so much positive momentum in Special Olympics GB at this time, it is the perfect moment to welcome Jack to the family.

“We look forward to continuing to add to our diverse group of Ambassadors to accompany Jack on his new mission with Special Olympics GB in the near future.”

Niall Guite, Special Olympics World Games gold medallist, commented:

“I love football so much and it’s amazing to be on the same team as Jack Grealish.

“To have such an important player and public figure supporting our community gives us all so much energy and motivation. Thanks Jack and welcome to Special Olympics GB!”

The upcoming year is an important one for the organisation, with the Special Olympics World Summer Games scheduled to be held in Berlin in June 2023. 

The Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of all-year-round sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Currently, the Special Olympics sees more than five million athletes participating from more than 190 countries.