Special Olympics New Zealand 7th National Summer Games, Palmerston North, NZ
This was the 2nd National Games hosted by Palmerston North, Manawatu, the 1st was in 1990. 1,067 athletes from 43 Clubs attended the Games and competed in 10 sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Indoor Bowls, Powerlifting and Tenpin Bowling. The Games Organising Committee is to be congratulated for recruiting and uniforming nearly 1,000 volunteers. This National Games received unprecedented TV, radio & media coverage which can only be great for the future growth & development of Special Olympics
On Wed 2 December the Healthy Athletes’ Programme was held
The 2 hour Opening Ceremony on Wednesday evening was the best organised & entertaining event outside of World Games.The VIP function before the Opening was attended by Board members, Life Members, Sponsors, GOC and VIPs of every kindThe Parade of Athletes, entertainment, speeches and video presentations along with the Special Olympics Flag, Torch & Oaths upheld the Special Olympics standards to the very highest levels.
On Thu 3 December the competition for Basketball, Bocce, Indoor Bowls & Tenpin Bowling was held; on Fri 4 December the competition for Aquatics, Athletics, Football & Powerlifting was held ;on Sat 5 December, the final day for competition, the Golf competition was held. On Sat evening we had the Closing Ceremony:
After the Parade of Athletes - and to commemorate World Volunteer Day - the 1,000 volunteers, Officials & Committee members were recognised by a standing ovation as they paraded
After the flag was passed onto Dunedin to host the 8th National Games in 2013, a commemorative plaque was made to the more than 24 long-serving volunteers throughout NZ who have been working on committees for Special Olympics for 25 years.
Entertainment & speeches were again athlete orientated
The evening finished with songs & dancing from a talented group of intellectually disabled dancers
Mike Goodacre, Regional Sports Director Asia Pacific
