Forest Flyerz representing Team GB at Special Olympics

Shane Crowe (left) and Mudassar Arshad (right) at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre

Huge congratulations to Forest Flyerz’ Shane Crowe and Mudassar Arshad will compete next month in one of the largest sports events for people with intellectual disabilities in the world.

The pair will fly to the Netherlands to compete in the games next month but it’s not the first time the two hockey enthusiasts have ventured abroad to compete. In August 2023 they both played for the England squad in the EuroHockey ID Championships in Germany, coming second overall.

Speaking to local newspaper the Waltham Forest Echo, goalkeeper Shane said he was “quite excited” to build on last year’s success at the EuroHockey ID Championships by hopefully coming first in the Dutch games next month. He added that the opportunity to represent Team GB was one he “didn’t think” would have ever happened.

The 29-year-old, who has played with Forest Flyerz since he was 16, said playing hockey regularly has been key for managing his conditions, which includes ADHD, and dyspraxia.

This sentiment was echoed by Mudassar, who said he “loves” the sport, and was feeling “confident” ahead of playing for Team GB at the Special Olympics in Breda & Tilburg between 14th and 16th of June.

Forest Flyerz has been running regular pan-disability hockey sessions since 2011. Training sessions are currently held at Walthamstow Academy.

Find out more about Forest Flyerz here.

Story first broke on WF Echo site here.