(Wellington) – On 29 March 2010, the New Zealand Prime Minister the Honourable John Key officially launched Special Olympics New Zealand’s nation-wide Athlete Leadership Programme and the ten athletes from throughout New Zealand who make up the inaugural class of Global Messengers were introduced at an event at the New Zealand Parliament.

Over 25 athletes were nominated for the Global Messenger programme and 10 were selected. “We looked for a mix in skills in those we selected for the first year and collectively we have an outstanding group of Global Messengers,” says Kathy Gibson, Special Olympics New Zealand Chief Executive Officer.

Minister for Disability Issues, the Honourable Tariana Turia, also attended the event as did the Honourable Ruth Dyson, former Minister for Disability Issues and current health spokesperson for the opposition. David Rutherford, Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director, was also in attendance.

Global Messenger Andrew Boyce addressed the audience on behalf of his fellow athletes and spoke about the importance of ability versus disability and told the audience how he looked forward to breaking down barriers in society.

Special Olympics New Zealand has partnered with the Auckland University of Technology SHINE Sport Programme to help deliver the programme for the first year. At the end of the year the athletes will have participated in workshops and training that will give them the skills to act as advocates and spokespeople in their community and around New Zealand at seminars and conferences; be confident to address functions and community groups about intellectual disability, Special Olympics and their experiences; influence the community and policy makers on issues of concern to the intellectual disability community; and have the confidence and skills to respond positively and proactively around issues important to the intellectual disability community.