WORCESTER, Mass. - A local flag football team will travel to Florida for the Special Olympics USA Games.

Worcester’s Seven Hills Foundation Shamrocks are now representing the state as Team Massachusetts.

This weekend and last weekend they got some scrimmages in against the Worcester Police Department.

On Sunday, they felt the heat was good practice for Florida.

Head coach Tyrone Hicks says he loves seeing his team achieve things many people think they can’t. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Special Olympics Events begin Monday, June 6 at the ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex
  • New England based Textron Inc. is sponsoring the team’s trip on two private jets
  • Seven Hills Shamrocks is trying to grow the program. Anyone with disabilities who is interested in playing flag football or any other sport can contact the Seven Hills Foundation

Worcester Police say they’ll be rooting for them.

“Unbelievable. They look great. They’re ready for Florida. My team wasn’t ready. Not ready, very disappointed in my team,” Officer Tom Feraco of the Worcester Police Department said. “But they played hard to day. A little better than last week, we tried to prepare, but we didn’t quite prepare enough. They’re a good team. They’re a good squad. They play together well. Awesome. It was a fun day.”

“We had a rocky start, but we did well,” Tyrone Hicks, Seven Hills Shamrocks Flag Football head coach, said. “We played well in the second half and was able to win 33-21 so I’m happy.” 

After the scrimmage, Chief Steven Sargent presented the team with Worcester Police Department hats.

The Special Olympics Flag Football event runs from Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 10.

Team Massachusetts says they’re excited about a chance to win a gold medal.