New Zealand’s LA2015 team announced

New Zealand’s LA2015 team announced

Thirty-six New Zealand athletes with intellectual disabilities have been named to compete alongside 7000 athletes at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, California, USA next July.

The Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015, known as “LA2015”, will see athletes from 170 countries compete at the event being held from 25 July 2015 to 2 August 2015.

The New Zealand delegation includes 36 athletes with intellectual disabilities, two ‘Unified Partners’ (athletes without an intellectual disability), and 17 Coaches, managers and support staff.

The athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, equestrian, golf, powerlifting, and tenpin bowling.

“LA2015 will be an incredible event and we are delighted to announce our team. The LA2015 Games offer our athletes a chance to demonstrate their sporting abilities, and independence on the world stage. It is also a very important development pathway for our volunteers who aspire to be involved in Special Olympics at international level,” says Kathy Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics New Zealand.

“Competing internationally is not something all our athletes are able to do. It is quite a commitment, not only in training but also preparation for travelling, time changes, and cultural differences. We were impressed with the number of athlete nominations from among our 44 Clubs nationwide, and we went through a rigorous selection process to short-list and then select the team. This is a reflection of how well our athletes are supported at Club level in their sports development. We also had some outstanding applications for management and coaching positions, in particular, and the selection process has been very difficult in some cases. The selected team members will be fantastic ambassadors for New Zealand.”

The Special Olympics New Zealand LA2015 Games team convened for the first time during Labour Weekend at a training camp in Wellington. The team from 23 Special Olympics Clubs engaged in a comprehensive programme that included training in all eight sports, uniform fitting, health checks and general fitness.

“I am delighted how everyone has come together and is working so well towards a common goal. In just one day I am very pleased that to see our group acting like a team. Many friendships have already been developed and the way the team has been working on their training bodes well for some great results in LA” said Max Brooking, Head of Delegation.

Further training camps in all sports will take place over the next six months around the country to enable athletes to hone their skills against local competition.

Special Olympics New Zealand launched its ‘Sponsor an Athlete’ campaign this month to help raise funds for the team’s trip. Donations can be made online via credit card or directly from the donor’s bank account at www.specialolympics.org.nz/LA2015_donate.

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