New Zealand Community Trust is pleased to announce a grant of $3,659 to Special Olympics Manawatu for travel and
accommodation costs to help their athletes and volunteer coaches attend competition events at other Special Olympic
clubs in the North Island. Most athletes are on a benefit and do not have jobs to supplement their income.
Sports Coordinator Helen Johnson expressed her appreciation: “Special Olympics Manawatu runs 11 sport disciplines and
has over 200 athletes and 50 volunteers at training and competitions. This funding will enable our teams to have weekly
practices, host local events, and attend as many as six events per sport in our region annually. It will help to cover
accommodation, venue and van hire, as well as allow all supporting athletes and volunteers to train and attend these
events. We would not accomplish any of these goals without NZCT's generous support.”
Special Olympics goes far beyond the physical benefits of sports and providing training and athletic competition for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It also paves the way for empowerment through the sharing of gifts,
talents and friendship through a year-round programme of sports training and competition. People with intellectual
disabilities suffer needlessly from chronic pain and disease, blindness, hearing loss and other health conditions.
Special Olympics New Zealand aims to reduce these health issues and enable its athletes to achieve and win not only in
sport, but also in life.
In Manawatu, all children and adults with disabilities now have the opportunity to attend hundreds of sporting events in
the region, experience meaningful competition, create lifelong friendships, enjoy social activities, and regular
coaching. Athletes are encouraged to improve their physical fitness, develop a range of skills, gain confidence and
self-esteem, broaden social networks, increase independence, earn recognition and acceptance and enjoy active, healthy
lifestyles. The sporting activities available include athletics, aquatics, swimming, basketball, bocce, bowling, indoor
football, soccer, golf, power lifting, skiing, and snowboarding.
More than 7,000 athletes train and compete in 13 different Olympic-type summer and winter sports throughout New Zealand.
Each year, Special Olympics New Zealand runs more than 200 events in over 40 towns and cities around the country. These
events are supported by over 3,000 volunteers and are facilitated through a network of Regional Sports Coordinators.