Bob Cook Games 2009
The 2009 Bob Cook Memorial Games for the disabled will be held on Sunday 9th August. We look forward to welcoming you all to the day.
Last year, whilst the attention of the world on Sunday 10th August 2008 may have been on the Bejing Olympic Games, for a large number of the Lions’ Clubs in District 105W and disabled competitors from the Southwest of England and South Wales, all that mattered was getting together once again to stage the 2008 edition of the Bob Cook Memorial Games for the Disabled.
Named after the late Charter President of the Lions Club of Chippenham, the Games take place every year on the second Sunday of August at the Athletics Track at Swindon’s County Ground Sports Complex. In parallel they are complemented by an all day Bowls competition held on the adjacent Swindon Bowls Club Green.
Much of the organisation of the day is provided by Chippenham and Highworth Lions’ Clubs but financial support is provided by clubs throughout the South West and South Wales.
On the day helpers from more than 16 Lions Clubs came along to provide help marshalling events and ensure competitors got to the start in time and collected any medals that they were due - clubs helping out on the day are listed at the end of this article......THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
This year the Games were officially opened by the Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Steve Wakefield, ably assisted by our very own District Governor, Lion Surinder Malhotra
Over 120 competitors took part, drawn from over 12 Clubs and organisations from as far afield as Coventry in the North, Warminster in the South and Penybont and Cowbridge in Wales. The clubs taking part were....
Chippenham Gateway
Cocklebury Farmhouse Chippenham
Cowbridge (Gateway) Monday Club
Enterprise Club (Coventry)
Every Link Counts
Open Door Swindon
Pathways
Penybont Gateway
Stovold Stars (Care, Rowde)
Stroke Association (Bridgend)
Swindon Champions
Swindon Spikes
Warminster Mencap & Gateway Club.
A strong wind and frequent heavy showers did little to dampen the spirits or spoil the day for the competitors and helpers alike. The Games got underway just after 10:30 with the 60m sprint events with separate events for walkers, those able to run and wheelchair bound competitors. Once again we are grateful of the assistance of the local branch of the Amateur Athletics Association (AAAs) for giving up their time to officiate at the event.
As always, all events were fiercely contested with the largest entries for field events such as the Javelin, Shot and Wellie Throwing .
In the true spirit of the Games, sportsmanship and the fun of taking part were the winners overall, however two competitors
· Michelle Young (Coventry Enterprise Club) and
· Sid Saunders (Pennybont Gateway Club)
stood out as best representing the spirit of the Games - the share joy of taking part, and were presented with “The Joy Cook” Memorial trophy by Julie Hamlen, daughter of the late Joy Cook. Lion Jim Dutch and his wife Babs were awarded the Bob Cook Memorial sword in recognition of their hard work in support of the Games over many years.
Lions Clubs helping on the day were -
Chippenham
Calne
Devizes
Melksham
Swindon
Cardiff
Bridgend
Maesteg
Glantawe
Dursley
Gloucester
Lechlade
Forrest of Dean
Cowbridge
Porthcawl
Wooton Basset
Thank you!!
A comment received after a previous Games is typical of the sentiments that are expressed to describe the day -
"As you know this year was the first time we had entered competitiors and I certainly hope it won't be the last.......one of the best days I've had in the nineteen years I've been a Lion
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Please contact Lion Pete Andre, (info@chippenhamlions.org.uk) if you would like more information for your club or organisation about taking part - or if you can offer to help on the day or make a donation towards the running costs of the event.
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