FEATURE

Halberg Foundation to host 2016 Junior Disability Games

By Halberg

Registrations are now open for the 2016 Halberg Junior Disability Games, a national three day sports competition in Cambridge for physically disabled or visually impaired young people aged eight to 21 years old.

Hosted by the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, the charity set up by Olympic running champion Sir Murray Halberg, the Games will be held at St Peter’s School from Friday 22 April to Sunday 24 April 2016.
 

Danielle Paul (Team Waikato) competing in a race at the 2015 Halberg Junior Disability Games. Photo courtesy of Halberg

Athletes will compete in regional teams in 19 sports including; football, archery, athletics, badminton, blind cricket, equestrian, goalball, golf, paddle boarding, rowing, swimming, table tennis, triathlon and waka ama.
 

Sebastian Filpe (Team Auckland) shoots for the basket in wheelchair basketball at the 2015 Halberg Junior Disability Games. Photo courtesy of Halberg

A highlight of the Games will be the boccia and wheelchair basketball National Junior Championships. Team Waikato, who took out the wheelchair basketball honours in 2015 will be defending their title.
 

Connor Fa'asega (Team Otago) competing in a 50 m ambulatory race at the 2015 Halberg Junior Disability Games. Photo courtesy of Halberg

A sports festival style opening ceremony at the Avantidrome will kick off the weekend of action. The celebration will include a lighting of the official Games flame, guest speakers and a parade of the regional teams, setting the precedent for three days of comradery, and competition.
 

Max Walsh (Team Auckland) competing in shotput at the 2015 Halberg Junior Disability Games. Photo courtesy of Halberg

“The Halberg Junior Disability Games perfectly represents success, determination and team spirit,” says Halberg Disability Sport Foundation Chief Executive, Shelley McMeeken.
 
“For the athletes it is an opportunity to start the pathway in a new sport and hopefully we will see some of them represent New Zealand on the world stage in years to come.”
 
To register for the 2016 Halberg Junior Disability Games go to www.juniordisabilitygames.org.nz.