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Warkworth’s Grace Roberts came home with three medals when she competed at New Zealand’s largest multi-sport national event, the Special Olympics National Summer Games, last month.
The young swimmer won silver in the 25-metre backstroke, silver in the relay and bronze in 50m freestyle at the games that were staged in Hamilton from December 8 to 12.
Grace qualified for the games, which are only held every four years, after training with Kowhai Swimming Club and the Hibiscus Coast Rodney Special Olympics squad at Stanmore Bay.
Although she has swum for the squad competitively since moving to Warkworth from the UK seven years ago, this was her first time racing at the national games. She said afterwards that she’s now keen to qualify for the 2026 games and win more medals.
More than 1000 athletes took part in the Special Olympics Summer Games in 10 sporting disciplines over four days.
Kowhai Swimming Club secretary Carol Christy said athletes attending the Special Olympics Nationals had to pay their own way, and Grace had been given a generous helping hand by the Warkworth Quilters Group, whose members helped to raise funds for her travel and attendance. She said the club always appreciated sponsorship.
Anyone who might be able to help, should contact Carol by emailing kowhaiswimming@gmail.com
