Zumba classes were a ‘lockdown lifeline’ for Rory

THE family of an all-Ireland Special Olympic athlete from Tyrone who replaced his love of swimming with Zumba during the Covid-19 lockdown has called for nationwide support of the Special Olympics Can’t Stop Now Appeal.

Rory Mullan (29), a member of the Eagles Special Olympics Club for more than a decade, and his father, Sean have praised his local club for keeping him motivated throughout the pandemic with the charity’s virtual training programmes, after all face-to-face club activity was put on hold back in March 2020.

A keen swimmer and athletics enthusiast, Rory found solace in online Zumba classes hosted by Special Olympics volunteer Emer McCrory to help him cope with the change to his lifestyle brought about by the pandemic.

Rory is now calling on athletes, clubs, volunteers, and families across Northern Ireland to support Special Olympics and for more clubs across the country to take up the virtual pledge to provide the invaluable resources that have helped him over the past year.

Sean Mullan, father to Rory and a volunteer with Eagles Special Olympics Club, spoke about how being involved with the virtual activity has helped support Rory.

“This has been the toughest year we’ve had as a family; Rory is usually a very sociable, placid person but Covid affected that,” said Sean.

“At first, he found the online activity very overwhelming, but the coaches and volunteers helped him feel at ease and now throws himself into every Zumba class and loves getting involved. I don’t know where we would be if it hadn’t been for Emer and the rest of the coaches and volunteers.”

Special Olympics currently supports over 1,600 children and adults with an intellectual disability across Northern Ireland participating in 15 sports across 58 affiliated clubs and groups. Throughout the pandemic, the charity has been working tirelessly to find creative ways to reach out to athletes to ensure they remain physically, mentally, and emotionally fit during these challenging times.

To keep athletes well – both physically and mentally – as well as feeling connected to their Special Olympics community and club, specialist virtual programmes, which included fitness routines, healthy meal recipes and activities to support athletes mentally, were developed.

Emer McCrory, a volunteer with Eagles Special Olympics Club spoke about her commitment to the club and athletes. She said, “The pandemic brought about a big change for the club, and we had to think of a way to keep everyone together. I had some experience of teaching Zumba with my job so I thought I would give it a go, and everyone absolutely loved it.

“I have been involved with Eagles Special Olympics Club for the past eight years now and I have loved every minute. The athletes have the best outlook and attitude on life, so it makes it all worthwhile. If I am tired or had a rough day, they cheer me up instantly which is incredible because it should really be the other way around.”

Emer added, “I would honestly recommend to anyone who is thinking of becoming a volunteer to get involved, it’s one of the most fulfilling things that I have ever done.”

The Can’t Stop Now Appeal is calling on athletes, clubs, volunteers, and families across Northern Ireland to encourage them to support and engage with Special Olympics and for clubs to take the virtual pledge to support their members and access a wealth of online resources.

l For further information on the work of Special Olympics and the Can’t Stop Now appeal, visit www.specialolympics.ie, follow Special Olympics Ulster on Facebook facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsUlster, on Twitter@SO_Ulster and on Instagram @specialolympicsulster.