Ultra-marathon runner to introduce Napier athletes at event

Ultra-marathon runner to introduce Napier athletes at fundraising evening

Athletes representing New Zealand for the first time ever at the International Children’s Games (ICG) in Australia later this year will be officially introduced at a fundraising evening featuring New Zealand ultra-marathon runner, Lisa Tamati, on Tuesday, 1 July.

Lisa is among the top female ultra-athletes in the world and has run distances equivalent to three times around the planet. She will speak publicly at the MTG Century Theatre at 6pm about achieving individual dreams regardless of the boundaries life may throw at you. Tickets are $12 and are available from Napier Municipal Theatre, MTG Hawke’s Bay or Pettigrew-Green Arena.

Napier Mayor, Bill Dalton, says the 18 athletes will be honoured to be officially introduced in front of such an elite sportsperson, as well as their families, friends and supporters.

“These athletes still have their entire sporting careers in front of them,” Mr Dalton says. “I’m sure Lisa will provide them with a lot of extra motivation to get out there and reach their full potential.”

The ICG, which were first held in 1968 in Slovenia as a way to encourage peace and goodwill amongst children of different cultural backgrounds, will be held in Lake Macquarie, Australia from 6 to 11 December. Since 1991, it has been an International Olympic Committee sanctioned event.
The 18 Napier athletes and their coaches will represent the city in swimming, sailing, BMX and football, joining approximately 1500 other 12-15-year-olds.

Napier City Council is facilitating the tour with the support of Sport Hawke’s Bay. Mayor Bill Dalton will accompany the delegation, along with tour leader Jeanette Cooper of Sport Hawke’s Bay.

Athletes and coaches travelling to the International Children’s Games, held from 6-11 December are:

Swimming
Bella Bassett-Foss; Maddison Tabuteau; Cameron Madams; Hadlee Dyer and coach Gary Knight.

BMX
Amy Martin; Stevie-Lee Reuben; John Berryman; Maia Troup and coach Carl Berryman.

Sailing
Brooke Wedgwood; Brianna Otto and coach Philipp Otto.

Football
Jorge Akers; Ethan Martin; Jackson Durrington; Vinnie MacKirdy; Kayden Adema; Lui Toomey; Harry Mason; Jarred Coutts (coach TBC).
ENDS

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