Jack Grealish takes up role as principal ambassador for Special Olympics GB

Jack Grealish has taken up a role as a principal ambassador for Special Olympics GB, the charity has announced.

The Manchester City and England midfielder hopes to use his profile to raise awareness of the organisation’s work in providing support and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics GB provides year-round training and competition, in both summer and winter sports, for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities. It aims to drive inclusion and create possibilities for all individuals to be accepted regardless of ability or disability.

I’m proud to stand side by side with all the children, young people and adults living with intellectual disabilities- Jack Grealish

Grealish, 26, who became English football’s most expensive player when he moved to City from Aston Villa in a £100million deal last summer, has committed to long-term support.

Grealish said: “I’ve been thinking for some time about how I can best use the platform football has given me to create a positive change, and it had to be something really close to my heart.

“Special Olympics GB is such an important organisation, playing a huge role in tackling the lack of inclusion for hundreds of thousands of kids in the UK with intellectual disabilities.

“Nobody should be excluded from opportunities, and I can’t stand bullying or discrimination. In my new role with Special Olympics GB, I’m proud to stand side by side with all the children, young people and adults living with intellectual disabilities, and the incredible families who support them.”

Special Olympics GB has ambitious growth plans for 2022 as full-scale competition returns after being halted during the coronavirus pandemic. The new Special