The Special Olympics New Zealand 2025 National Summer Games has been recognised at the annual Sport Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards, taking home the Outstanding Contribution to Sport and Recreation Award.
Hosted by Sport Canterbury and presented by Christchurch City Council, the award category recognises outstanding sport and recreation initiatives that have made a significant contribution to Canterbury through exceptional delivery, innovation, and community impact. Special Olympics New Zealand is proud to receive the award in recognition of the positive legacy and inclusive opportunities created through the 2025 National Summer Games.
Held in December 2025 across Ōtautahi Christchurch, the Games brought together more than 1,200 athletes from 42 clubs around Aotearoa to compete in 10 sports across six venues — making it New Zealand’s largest inclusive sporting event.
For Special Olympics New Zealand, the recognition is especially meaningful within a broader sport and recreation awards environment that celebrated excellence across all areas of the sector — from high performance and community sport to charitable initiatives, recreation, and para sport.
Athlete Leader Andrew Oswin and Partnership and Sport Manager Mitchell Rhodes accepted the award on behalf of Special Olympics New Zealand, joined by Karin Oswin and Special Olympics Canterbury Club Administrator Helen Mitchell.
Andrew has been involved with Special Olympics New Zealand for more than 23 years. He shared the role of Master of Ceremonies alongside Jason Gunn during the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 National Summer Games.
Speaking while accepting the award, Andrew acknowledged the support shown by Christchurch City Council, the venues and facilities used throughout the Games, and the wider Canterbury community that helped make the event possible.
The awards evening was held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre — the same venue that hosted the 2025 National Summer Games Closing Party — making the occasion particularly special for those involved with the Games.
The event also highlighted the ongoing transformation of Christchurch as a sporting and events destination, with the city’s modern venues and facilities playing a major role in the success and atmosphere of the Games. Venues across the city were a standout feature of the 2025 National Summer Games experience.
Mitchell Rhodes said it was an honour to attend alongside such a high calibre group of people and organisations from across the sport and recreation sector.
“Every nominee was hugely deserving, and it was special to be part of an evening celebrating the positive impact sport and recreation has within our communities.”
Special Olympics New Zealand CEO Fran Scholey said “Recognition like this helps raise awareness of the important role our athletes, clubs, volunteers, coaches, supporters, and communities play across Aotearoa. A special acknowledgement to Liz Fitzgerald our Events Director and the wider events team. The 2025 National Summer Games represented years of collaboration and commitment to creating inclusive sporting opportunities, connection, and belonging for people with intellectual disabilities through sport. We’re incredibly proud of what was achieved together in Canterbury, and grateful to everyone who helped make the Games such a positive experience for so many people.”
The evening highlighted the strength and diversity of Canterbury’s sport and recreation community, bringing together organisations, athletes, and initiatives making a positive impact across the region.
Special Olympics New Zealand would like to sincerely thank Sport Canterbury and Christchurch City Council for their support, recognition, and partnership throughout the 2025 National Summer Games journey, along with the venues, staff, volunteers, sponsors, ambassadors, trusts, businesses, clubs, athletes, and wider community who helped create something truly special in Canterbury.
Partnerships and support from organisations across the community are vital in helping deliver events of this scale, allowing Special Olympics New Zealand to continue investing in athletes, clubs, and inclusive sporting opportunities throughout Aotearoa.
You can watch the National Summer Games nomination video here:
2025 National Summer Games Nomination Video