Jacqueline ready to tee off at Special Olympics in German capital

Jacqueline ready to tee off at Special Olympics in German capital

22 March 2023

DOWNPATRICK’S Jacqueline Stewart is preparing to embark upon an exciting trip to Berlin this summer to compete in the Special Olympics World Games.

The accomplished golfer — who is going for gold when she tees off in June —  is a resident of Downpatrick’s Struell Lodge supported housing accommodation and a member of the Down Special Olympics Sports Club.

Held every two years, the flagship Special Olympics even brings together the entire Special Olympics movement to see athletes in action and celebrate their victories against huge odds.

Golfer Jacqueline, who has been selected to compete in a nine hole competition, is no stranger to the sport and has already won a gold medal in the Special Olympics back in 2018.

And she is hoping to recreate her success in June.

“I love playing golf and am really proud of myself for getting picked,” she beamed.

“I have been practising really hard with my caddy Rita. She is a lovely lady and really helps me, we get on really well. I celebrated a hole in one in my last residential training session which I am really thrilled about. I really want to bring home the gold medal.”

Jacqueline has been involved with Special Olympics since 2009 and is volunteering with children aged 4 and up who are making their first tentative steps on their Special Olympics journey. “Teaching these young people how to play games and spend time singing and dancing with them is something that I really enjoy,” she said.

“The little ones are great and so much fun. I like singing nursery rhymes with them and showing them how to play, I like helping them.”

South Eastern Trust disability residential worker, Josephine Engelen, who has supported Jacqueline in this particular endeavour, said she is very proud of her efforts.

“Jacqueline is a very special person. I was her key worker for two years and we built a real bond of friendship in that time. We keep in touch regularly,” she said.

“I am so proud of her and wish her all the luck in the world. I have every faith that she will bring home the gold medal.”

Travelling back and forth to Dublin for training and the trip to Berlin is expensive so Jacqueline has been fundraising to help with the costs.

Local people are also supporting her efforts to make hampers which will be raffled.

A number of people are also making hampers of their own for Jacqueline to raffle, while staff at Struell Lodge and their families have been fundraising with a variety of events including a sponsored walk and selling ballot tickets. 

Jacqueline has been overwhelmed by the support she has received and would like to thank everyone who has contributed. To date, over £300 has been raised.