Seven new athlete leaders for Special Olympics New Zealand

20 November 2013

Seven new athlete leaders for Special Olympics New Zealand

Seven athletes with intellectual disabilities will have the chance to showcase their skills and talents in sport, business, and communications over the coming year.

The athletes have joined Special Olympics New Zealand’s prestigious national Athlete Leadership Programme. As “Global Messengers” they will become ambassadors for Special Olympics New Zealand and present to community groups around the country.

Special Olympics New Zealand offers year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities in the community, and at secondary school. More than 6000 athletes train with the organisation in 13 Olympic-style sports and compete locally, nationally, and internationally.

The 2014 Class of Global Messengers comprises: Anthony Doak (Special Olympics Southland), Kyle Harpur (Special Olympics North Canterbury), Scot Jackson (Special Olympics Howick-Pakuranga), Philip Lomas (Special Olympics Otago), Troy Rangi (Special Olympics North Harbour), Matthew Smith (Special Olympics Te Awamutu), and Ryan Smith (Special Olympics Marlborough).

“This is the fifth intake of athletes into our national Athlete Leadership Programme and the calibre of the Global Messengers is outstanding. The athletes have shown great leadership and enthusiasm in their regions towards sport and the community, and we are looking forward to extending their skills, and confidence in public speaking, through the Athlete Leadership Programme,” says Kathy Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics New Zealand.

Forty athletes have been trained as Global Messengers since the programme was launched in New Zealand in 2010. These athletes have gone on to present at seminars and conferences around the country, and at international sporting events. Many of the Global Messengers have been integral in the planning, and promotion, of the upcoming Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games taking place in Dunedin from Wednesday 27 November to Saturday 30 November.

The 2014 Class of Global Messengers will begin their Athlete Leadership training early next year at the first of four workshops. These sessions will teach public speaking, media liaison, goal setting, leadership, and governance.

www.specialolympics.org.nz
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