NZ represented for first time at Special Olympics

Thursday 28 November 2013

New Zealand represented for first time

A team of Special Olympics New Zealand athletes takes off to Australia today (Thursday 28 November) to represent New Zealand for the first time at the Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games.

The Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games, being held from 30 November to 7 December, is the largest event for people with intellectual disabilities in Australasia with around 2000 athletes and coaches from across 32 countries in the Asia Pacific region attending.

The athletes will compete across nine sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Bocce, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Table Tennis, and Ten Pin Bowling.

The Games kicks off with a two-hour Opening Ceremony spectacular of music, dance and fireworks to be held at Hunter Stadium on Sunday 1 December 2013.

Special Olympics New Zealand is sending a team of 21 athletes to the Games. Nine support staff will accompany the athletes, including Head of Delegation Shayne Crabtree, Assistant Head of Delegation Shona Hendra, six coaches, and team doctor Gill Harrington.

Each athlete has been responsible for raising an average of $2,500 to attend the Games. It is the first time many of the athletes have represented New Zealand on the international stage.

Special Olympics New Zealand is holding a Chairman’s Brunch on Thursday morning (28 November) at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington to farewell the team.

The team will then fly from Wellington to Newcastle, Australia (via Sydney) on Thursday afternoon (Flight QF164 at 4.20pm).

All media are invited to farewell the Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games New Zealand team.

Ideal times for interviews:

Chairman’s Brunch: Thursday 28 November, 10.00am–12.00pm, Brentwood Hotel, 16 Kemp St, Kilbirnie, Wellington.
The team’s (triumphant) return to New Zealand: Sunday 8 December, Wellington International Airport (Flight QF161 at 2.50pm), Auckland International Airport (Flight QF143 at 3.15pm)

For more information:

Kathy Gibson
Chief Executive Officer
Special Olympics New Zealand
027 567 9496
kathyg@specialolympics.org.nz

Shayne Crabtree
Special Olympics New Zealand Head of Delegation
2013 Asia Pacific Regional Games
027 277 4946
shayne.crabtree@waspnet.co.nz

About Special Olympics New Zealand
Special Olympics New Zealand is a year-round programme of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 6000 athletes throughout the country train and compete in 13 different Olympic-type summer and winter sports.

Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides athletes continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community.

Words Matter—Special Olympics Language Guidelines for media

2013 Asia Pacific Games website

The 2013 Asia Pacific Games: New Zealand Delegation

Shayne Crabtree, Special Olympics Hawke’s Bay, Head of Delegation
Shona Hendra, Special Olympics Manawatu, Assistant Head of Delegation

Aquatics
Jesse Williams, Special Olympics Manawatu
Timothy Rieger, Special Olympics Manawatu

Richard Bruce, Special Olympics Wellington

Damon Catchpole, Special Olympics Wellington

Michael Holdsworth, Special Olympics Wellington

Deborah Humffreys, Special Olympics Southland

Jenny Webby, Special Olympics Horowhenua

Lily Harper, Special Olympics Manawatu

Amanda Hendra, Special Olympics Manawatu

Rachel Oemcke, Special Olympics Manawatu

David Burrowes, Special Olympics Hutt Valley, Head Coach

Paula Dixon, Special Olympics Wellington, Coach

Athletics

Vicki Pere, Special Olympics Hutt Valley

Nicola Hardy, Special Olympics Southland, Head Coach

Bocce

Rachel Kenny, Special Olympics Manawatu

Tracey Tse, Special Olympics Wellington

Tui Robinson, Special Olympics Manawatu

Keri-Anne Johnson, Special Olympics Manawatu

Lyn Ryan, Special Olympics Manawatu, Head Coach

Tenpin Bowling

Shonagh Clarke, Special Olympics Southland

Matthew Caldwell, Special Olympics Southland

Paul Heyes, Special Olympics Wellington

Karin Clayden, Special Olympics Wellington

Ian Baldwin, Special Olympics Hawke’s Bay, Head Coach

Table tennis

Darren Gordon, Special Olympics Tamaki

Richard Bisley, Special Olympics Tamaki

Susan Godsall, Special Olympics Tamaki

Helen Johnson, Special Olympics Manawatu, Head Coach

Team doctor: Gillian Harrington.

ends

© Scoop Media