Special Olympics National Summer Games 2017
The Special Olympics North Harbour & Special Olympics Waitakere Football teams attended the 9th Annual Special Olympics National Summer Games in Wellington which is New Zealand’s largest sports event for people with intellectual disabilities.
Across the four day event more than 3000 athletes, coaches and team management from across the country attended the Games in 11 different sporting codes with the competitions being held at ten venues across Wellington and the wider region.
From the Northern Football Federation two teams competed across the two divisions. Waitakere competed in the first division in which they ended up finishing third after some impressive results. The North Harbour team competed in the second division which they won Gold Medals and also had the honor of having the youngest Athlete across the Football competition with Lachlan at only 10 years of age.
Northern Football Federations Community Development Officer Mel Giles said “It’s a great opportunity for children and adults to experience travelling and competing as a team. The teams have trained and competed all year round and should be proud at having the honor of representing their region at a national tournament.”
The relationship built between Special Olympics North Harbour and Albany United FC has seen the players flourish now they have access to grounds and facilities made available by Albany United.
Albany United’s Director of Football, Rashaad Vahed said “First of all I would like to congratulate Special Olympics North Harbour and the Athletes on their achievement at the National Summer Games. This is awesome news which I’m sure is rewarding to all involved for the commitment they have put in. A Community is made up of lots of groups working together, and Special Olympics North Harbour are very much a part of our community. If this partnership is our small way of assisting these players compete at present then were more than happy to support.”
More than 600 volunteers were recruited to perform various roles across the Special Olympics National Summer Games, and the athletes were also introduced to the Special Olympics’ Healthy Athletes Programme which was supported by over 70 voluntary clinicians.
As part of the build-up to the National Summer Games, members of the Special Olympics Auckland squad were presented with a new strip, match and training balls and kit bags via sponsors Friends of Football. The jerseys were presented by former All Whites striker Mark Elrick while Friends of Football were represented in the presentation by fellow former All White Earle Thomas and Former NFF President Alan Yates.
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