Deshan Walallavita and Ella Yarndley
Twelve Special Olympics swimmers have their sights set on the Christchurch-based 2025 National Summer Games in December.
The Special Olympics Te Awamutu nationals management and squad – back row from left, Shelley Blair, Robert van der Wee, Sarah Griffin, David Smith, Ella Yarndley, Sarah-Jayne Hudson, Jarrod Gilbert, Peter Crawford, Deshan Walallavita, Cherie Thompson. Front, : Bruce Blair, Caitlin Thomas, Keziah Clark, Matthew Smith and Jennifer Clark.
There will be 42 teams, 1205 athletes and 479 team management members involved across more than 10 sports at the event.
Cambridge’s Keziah Clark and Jarrod Gilbert will join nine Te Awamutu athletes and Hamilton’s Deshan Walallavita on the journey south.
Longtime Ōtorohanga resident Jennifer Clark, Peter Crawford, Sarah Griffin, Sarah-Jane Hudson, David Smith, Matthew Smith, Caitlin Thomas, Robert van der Wee and Ella Yarndley make up the rest of the cohort.
Special Olympics Te Awamutu head swimming coach Shelley Blair supports Amelia Trotman during a race. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Head coach Shelley Blair and support coaches Cherie Thompson and Bruce Blair will accompany the squad.
“The support from the families is awesome. We train on Sunday mornings. Jennifer’s mother was bringing her from Ōtorohanga for training but now she lives in Te Awamutu,” Blair said.
“Both Keziah and Jarrod’s families bring them over too and the same with Deshan coming from Hamilton.
“They’ve all been involved for several years and the whole team have competed at nationals before.”
Nationals are held every four years , though the last was held in Hamilton three years ago following a Covid delay.
“Christchurch is a different kettle of fish. There’s a new state of the art venue being built – the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre,” Blair said.
“We’re hopeful, fingers crossed that it’s finished by the time we get there. Otherwise, there’s a plan B venue.”
Since founding Special Olympics Te Awamutu in 2008, this will be Shelley’s fifth nationals’ attendance.
“It will also be Deshan and Robert’s fifth – it’s a journey that all three of us have been on together. Bruce was also there at the first event in 2009,” Shelley said.
“I get a big kick out of watching the athletes. If you come and watch them at training, you’d think that they were at nationals anyway. They train like that all the time.
“I enjoy seeing them develop as athletes and making friends. Socially, it’s a big event for them all.
“Self-esteem and confidence, anything that’s related to those two words, they learn about how to handle themselves at these big events.
Some of the experienced competitors had great advice and encouragement to pass on to first timers.
“Buckle up, you’re in for a wild and awesome ride! Nationals is basically a mix of adrenaline, snacks, sweat and the occasional singalong on the bus,” Jarrod Gilbert said.
“Train hard, show up to club trainings – yes, even when it’s raining or you’d rather be in bed – and then go out there and give it everything you’ve got.
“Winning is great, but surviving rooming with your teammates might be the real challenge.
“The best part is hanging out with your mates and coaches, having a laugh and proudly representing your club like a legend. Go well – and don’t forget your undies, or your swim gear!”
Shelley Blair
Sarah-Jane was nervous and excited at her first national summer games.
“Some things I found helpful were, talking to my coach and other teammates who had been to nationals before so I knew what to expect, as well as talking to my teammates and volunteers about how I was feeling,” Sarah-Jane said.
“I tried to find three good things about each day to focus on. Remembering it’s all about having fun. When I felt overwhelmed, I just reminded myself to breathe slowly and relax.”
Special Olympics Te Awamutu alumni Tegan Crotty made many great memories at the 2017 games in Wellington.
“Some of the memories that stick out for me are – flying on a plane for the first time without my parents and competing in my first 100m freestyle race,” Tegan said.
“If I could give one piece of advice to any future athletes attending, enjoy every minute and embrace everything that nationals have to offer.”
Sixteen years since her first nationals, Shelley is just as excited as the first time – and a lot more prepared.
“The athletes always bring a smile to my face, so I’m nowhere near ready to give up or retire,” she said.
“I’m truly fortunate we’ve got great athletes. They’re learners, which makes a big difference, not just going to training to play around. They’ve trained hard.”
In October, Special Olympics Te Awamutu will host a big swim meet. The only one in the Central North Island in the lead up to nationals.
This year, the Thames Valley and Waikato teams have come to Te Awamutu on the first Sunday of every month for mini meets.
These smaller events give the athletes a chance to get used to more competitors and the nationals’ rules ahead of the bigger Te Awamutu event.
“We do relays and most of the events they will be swimming in at nationals,” Shelley said.
“As our October event approaches, we need volunteers. Stone Real Estate have always been a good volunteer base for us, but we’re looking for more volunteers.
“Otherwise come and check us out or if you’ve got a child with a disability, get in touch with me, come down and have a look.”
Deshan Walallavita and Ella Yarndley at the 2021 National Summer Games (held 2022 due to covid). Deshan won two gold and two silver medals. Ella won three gold and one bronze medals.
