Harrison (Harry) Langford is a former Normo Eagle who has just been selected to represent Australia in Softball at the Special Olympics.

Harry is now 18 years old, but he started his sporting career at Normo Eagles with U7Blue in 1999 and the U8Blue in 2000.

He joined Special Olympics 5 years ago, in that time he has played basketball, football, cricket, golf and softball.

 

He won a Bronze Medal for Golf in 2006 at the National Games in QLD. Has been in the State side for Cricket and Softball. Being part of the State side for Softball took him to Adelaide for the National Games in April, and from there has now been chosen for the Australian side (youngest in the team), and will compete in the Summer World Games held in Athens in 2011.  His positions are pitcher or first base.

He's also part of the Athlete Leadership Programme run by Special Olympics and has spoken as an Ambassador at large functions. He is in Year 12 at St. Edmunds, Wahroonga, where he is School Captain.

The Langford family have had a long association with Normo Eagles, and Harry is not the only one with sporting ability in the family: his siblings, Ben, Sam and Grace all play football for Normanhurst having all come through Normo Minis and Juniors.  Grace plays with the G14/2 (currently top of the table), Sam plays for the AA9 (currently top of the table) and Ben plays with the Super League squad (currently second in both grades, but soon to be back on top). There must be some magic water at the Langford house!

Next stop for Harry is to represent Australia at the Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Athens, Greece from 25 June-4 July 2011. In all, 130 Australian athletes and 40 officials will attend the Games and do Australia proud. Visit Special Olympics - Team Australia to follow Harry's exploits.

The Special Olympics is a non-profit organisation run for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  Their website is www.souppernorthshore.com.