Disability sports day more popular than ever   17 Sep 2014

Disability sports day more popular than ever

Students with intellectual and physical disabilities will be showing off their sporting prowess next Monday at Special Olympics New Zealand’s Athletes with Disabilities Fun Day.

Special Olympics New Zealand is a nationwide organisation that offers year-round sports training for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The annual Special Olympics New Zealand’s Athletes with Disabilities Fun Day will see 90 students from 10 greater Wellington schools convene at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua for a day of basketball, football, indoor bowls, and swimming.

The schools include Aotea College, Heretaunga College, Hutt Valley High School, Mahinawa Specialist School, Mana College, Newlands College,Onslow College, Taita College, Wainuiomata High School, and Wellington East Girls School.

“This is the second year we have held this event at Te Rauparaha Arena and it is bigger than ever. We have more schools on board, including several schools that haven’t participated before. The Schools Fun Day will offer students with disabilities the chance to take part in a variety of sports including basketball, football, indoor bowls, swimming, and a general fitness station,” says Steeven Sharpe, Regional Sports Coordinator—Lower North Island South, Special Olympics New Zealand.

The students will be coached by staff from Special Olympics New Zealand, Basketball New Zealand, Capital Football, New Zealand Indoor Bowls, and Swimming New Zealand at the Fun Day.

“The Fun Day will raise awareness of Special Olympics New Zealand and the opportunities available for students through our clubs. The response from schools for this year’s event has been fantastic and we have a lot of support from the partipating National Sporting Organisations. Te Rauparaha Arena is a fantastic facility and we are grateful for all the support we are receiving from its team and all the amazing coaches who are sharing their time and expertise with our athletes,” says Steeven.

Event details:

What: Special Olympics New Zealand Athletes with Disabilities Fun Day

When: Monday 22 September, from 9.30am–12.30pm

Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua

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