THE father of a teenage skier from Bangor has hailed the impact of the sport on his son after he brought home two medals as part of an impressive overall haul for Team Ulster at last month’s Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games.
Chris Shields, who belongs to the Ski Ability NI club based out of the Craigavon Golf and Ski Center, won gold and bronze at the competition at the end of March, which was being held in the province for the first time.
With a total medal count of 31, Team Ulster were responsible for over 90 per cent of medals won throughout the event. The team’s remarkable success included 11 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals, alongside commendable finishes in 3rd and 4th place.
For many athletes, the Winter Games in Ulster marked a significant milestone, with some experiencing their first time away from home during the two-day residential event. Amidst the challenges and excitement, athletes showcased resilience, adaptability and unwavering team spirit, forging lasting friendships and camaraderie.
Phil Shields, who is also a coach with the team, said that being involved in the organisation has ‘opened a whole brand new world’ for Chris and his colleagues.
“The ski club itself is about much more than just skiing,” he explained.
“They teach life skills, confidence building and how to develop friendships. I just think in this world where everyone gets judged very quickly, that’s not there.
“They all want to win, but at the same time they’re cheering for their teammates coming down behind them. They all get each other.”
Chris, who has autism, started skiing at the age of four. He was once told by a physio that he would probably never ski due to his core strength not being good enough – but that’s a prediction the Movilla High School pupil has emphatically proved wrong as he continues to thrive on the slopes, both at home on the dry facility and further afield in Canada, where he and his dad have built up a network of friends.
Now, thanks to his gold medal success last month, Chris is in the running to potentially represent Ireland at the World Games in 2025.
“When he was younger Chris tried a couple of team sports like football and rugby which just didn’t click with him,” continued Phil.
“He has become a very good skier, he excels at the club and never wants to miss a night. As much as Chris enjoys the competition, he also likes helping others in the team and hopes to work towards coaching qualifications in the future.
“Everything Chris has learnt on the ski slope mirrors his school life – they both sort of go hand in hand.
“From a parent’s point of view, the additional benefits that come with being involved in Special Olympics are massive. It’s a really nice environment and the confidence that Chris has gained has been great to see.”
