Special Olympics Te Awamutu athlete Matthew Smith gets a photo with the Flame of Hope
Things are heating up for the Special Olympics nationals in Christchurch after the Flame of Hope was carried through Hamilton on its journey south last week.
The Special Olympics Te Awamutu team are amped for nationals. Photo: Philip Treweek
Special Olympics Te Awamutu, Thames Valley and Waikato athletes were escorted by the Waikato Police as they walked the Law Enforcement Torch Run from Grantham St boat ramp, along Victoria St to Garden Place.
The flame is a symbol of unity and inspiration.
“The last run is in Christchurch. It goes around each club and with the police, we run it around the city or area and it gets everyone pumped for the games,” head swimming coach for Special Olympics Waikato Lauren Bovaird said.
“It helps to try and spread awareness about the event. Once we were at Garden Place, we had a few speeches and the Waikato police gave us a little police dog to take to the nationals.”
Bovaird said it was great to see how excited the athletes are getting for the competition and how much these sorts of events get everyone “amped up and ready to go”.
New Hamilton City mayor Tim Macindoe holds the Flame of Hope. Photo: Philip Treweek
New Hamilton City mayor Tim Macindoe greeted the athletes and give them a message of support.
Waikato Police youth and communities inspector Scott Miller said it was a fantastic event to be part of and the spirit of the competition was alive and well.
He wished all athletes the best for the games.
“It was great to see the support from Waikato police and from the Hamilton City Council as well as the cheer, the celebration and the excitement,” Bovaird said.
With less than two months to go, preparations are well underway.
Special Olympics Te Awamutu, Thames Valley and Waikato athletes with the Flame of Hope and Waikato Police at Garden Place in Hamilton. Photo: Philip Treweek
For several athletes it will be their first “away” nationals as the last one was staged in Hamilton.
“This time they have to travel and stay as the team with all the coaches. It’s a cool experience for them,” Bovaird said.
The Waikato team is made up of 58 coaches and athletes
“It would be great to get everyone supporting the athletes. Whenever they see us out fundraising, give us a cheer or come see us. That’s always good,” Bovaird said.
“The athletes always like hearing your support.”
Te Awamutu head coach Shelley Blair and support coaches Cherie Thompson and Bruce Blair will accompany their squad.
Since founding Special Olympics Te Awamutu in 2008, Blair has attended four national events.
Cambridge’s Keziah Clark and Jarrod Gilbert will join the Te Awamutu cohort of athletes and Hamilton’s Deshan Walallavita will also make on the journey.
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 squad.
“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,” Blair told the News in August.
“I get a big kick out of watching the athletes. I enjoy seeing them develop as athletes and making friends. Socially, it’s a big event for them all.”
Special Olympics Te Awamutu athlete Matthew Smith gets a photo with the Flame of Hope. Photo: Philip Treweek
