2016 Halberg Junior Disability Games

The 2016 Halberg Junior Disability Games began today in Cambridge with swimming kicking off the three day event.

The Games are a national three day sport competition held at St Peter’s School in Cambridge for physically disabled young people (eight to twenty-one years).

In 2015 42 athletes were registered for the swimming events, the number increasing this year with 62 young participants taking part.

This year there are competitive races for all strokes using the outdoor pool with shorter distances being raced in the indoor pool giving swimmers of all levels an opportunity to take part in the event.

Participants at the games experience an authentic Games village environment. There are opportunities for them to try new sports while also pursuing further sporting goals. This is a unique event in New Zealand and gives athletes an opportunity to enjoy the thrill of competition, healthy comradery and the opportunity to make new friends.

Staff members from Swimming New Zealand were on hand today to help out with the swimming events including sports development officer Kirsty Gibson.

“It was an awesome day of racing with some athletes competing in almost every event,” Gibson said.

“It was great to see the wide variety of races offered for beginner swimmers as well as the more experienced ones.

“The event had a great atmosphere with lots of friendly competition amongst the swimmers.”

More information about the Halberg Junior Disability Games can be found here and for more on swimming pathways available to swimmers with a disability in New Zealand visit the Swimming New Zealand website here.