Halberg Junior Disability Games Opens in Cambridge

Halberg Junior Disability Games Opens in Cambridge

National sports competition for physically disabled young Kiwis kicks off

The 2015 Halberg Junior Disability Games – a national three day sports competition for physically disabled and visually impaired young people aged eight to 21 - has officially opened tonight with a ceremony at the Avantidrome in Cambridge.

Hosted for the first time by the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, the Games see regional teams representing Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Waikato and Wellington descend on St Peter’s School to compete against other young people with similar impairments in over 13 sports from 10 - 12 April.

At the opening ceremony the athletes marched proudly in their teams in to the Avantidrome and Paralympic cyclist Phillipa Gray gave the athletes an inspirational speech to launch the three day competition. Otago athlete Kiran Dixon read an oath on behalf of all the participants and lit an Olympic-style flame with Halberg Disability Sport Foundation Geoff Burgess to announce the Games officially open.

Over 100 athletes at the Halberg Junior Disability Games will compete in sports including ambulant football, athletics, blind cricket, cycling, equestrian, goalball, powerchair football, rowing, swimming. The Games also host the National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships.

The Halberg Junior Disability Games provide participants an opportunity to pursue further sports goals including a pathway to Paralympics.

ENDS

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