Ngā Puna Wai is a place of firsts, but it is also a place for everyone.

On the weekend of 1-2 October, the first ever Halberg Games South was held in Christchurch. Ngā Puna Wai was the host for the Athletics event, with other events being hosted at Rangi Ruru Girls School. The event brought together over 80 athletes and more than 40 volunteers over the two-day festival.

It’s the first time the Halberg Foundation, which supports physically disabled young New Zealanders to be active in sport and recreation, has held these regional events, with the annual National Halberg Games cancelled due to the impact of COVID-19.

To ensure the athletes were still able to experience the games, the Halberg Foundation split the national event into a series of three regional two-day sports festivals in Christchurch, Auckland and Palmerston North for 8–21-year-olds with a physical or visual impairment. 

Halberg Games South hosted athletes representing; Tasman, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and West Coast on 1-2 October.

The Halberg Games North festival then followed on 8-9 October in Auckland for athletes representing; Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.

The final event, Halberg Games Central was held in Palmerston North on 14-15 October and saw athletes representing Taranaki, Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington.

The festival weekend in Ōtautahi saw athletes taking part in a range of sports including, Basketball, Boccia, Cricket, Athletics, Golf, Wheelchair Sports, Croquet, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Archery, Lawn Bowls, Football, Badminton and Swimming. 

Ngā Puna Wai hosted the opening ceremony on the Saturday morning, featuring an athlete parade, welcoming speeches and karakia. This was followed by a day of Athletics Track and Field events, supported by Athletics Canterbury, where athletes were able to experience Ōtautahi’s premium Athletics facilities. 

Activations to add to the festival atmosphere on the infield also included croquet and Sport Canterbury’s Play Trailer, which was utilised at different times throughout the day, while other activities on the Sunday at Rangi Ruru Girls School included Primary Sports Canterbury’s Top Team Challenge.

It was fantastic to see the Waitaha sporting community come together for this incredible event, many key faces from the different sports organisations in the region supported the event in terms of volunteering and activations.

“It was a privilege to have the inaugural Halberg Games South kick off down here at Ngā Puna Wai, the athletes showed their grit and determination on the track representing their South Island region with pride.  Whilst the fun and additional activations available on the day, including a special appearance by Paralympian Gold Medallist Holly Robinson from Dunedin, made for a great day of sport and coming together as a community,” says Ngā Puna Wai Partnership and Activation Manager, Katrina Mansfield.

Find out more about the Halberg Foundation - Click here
 

Article added: Monday 17 October 2022