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Competing against athletes from across the country, the Hibiscus Coast and Rodney Special Olympics team delivered an impressive performance at the National Summer Games in Christchurch from December 10 to 15.
The 24 person team, comprising ten-pin bowlers, swimmers and an equestrian athlete earned a swathe of medals from the three-day event.
The bowlers struck their way to victory, bringing home four gold medals, eight silver medals and two bronze medals. Vanessa Palmer, Jessica Woomack, Chevelle Simonsen, Grace Bellette Just, Connor Morton, Matthew Parker, Stephen Just, Torben Noah, Andrea Gilroy, Zane Paunui Leith, Hamish Nadan and Max Bennett all competed with smiles on their faces and a friendly spirit.
The swimming team collectively brought home 11 medals across eight events. Swimmers Amarni Matafeo, Saione Skelton, Grace Roberts and Laetitia Tan competed in both relays and singles races.
The only equestrian competitor for the area, Rebecca Wootteen, earned a gold medal in dressage along with silver medals in equitation and working trail. Kristen Harrison, one of the carers for the group, says Rebecca’s impressive performance was done on a horse she was unfamiliar with.
The road to the games took two years of fundraising, 13 company sponsors and a team of passionate athletes.
The team and their supporters thanked all parents, carers, families, friends and the Hibiscus Coast community for their support during the fundraising efforts.
The Special Olympics Hibiscus Coast Rodney Committee is grateful to the support received by their sponsors: Freemasons, Ballantynes Albany, Bunnings Silverdale, Pak n Save Silverdale, Ōrewa Estuary Arts Centre and artists who donated their art pieces for the auction, Warkworth RSA, Ōrewa Farmers Market, Manly Bowling Club, Ōrewa Craft Market, Hibiscus Coast Community House Opportunity Shop, Swift Mortgages, Allevia Radiology, Executive Security Group and BlueSky Community Trust.
