When Adele Adams moved from the United Kingdom to New Zealand for an initial 10-month stay, becoming part of her new community simply felt like the natural thing to do.
Adele was looking for a place where she could get involved, connect with others and become part of her new community. She found that through Special Olympics New Zealand’s Howick-Pakuranga Club and, 17 years later, she’s still very much part of it.
In that time, Adele has coached ten pin bowling, swimming and powerlifting, served on the club committee, mentored athletes through the Athlete Leadership Programme, travelled to National Summer Games and twice supported New Zealand delegations at Special Olympics World Games.
This month, she’s adding something else to the list, taking part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to help create more sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Getting involved was never in doubt.
Getting into the water was a harder ask, but no less inevitable.
“I don’t even like getting into the water in summer,” she laughs.
Finding More Than a Place to Volunteer
Over the years, getting to know athletes and their whānau well beyond the sport they play has become one of the most rewarding parts of being involved.
“It’s definitely a relationship,” she says.
“When I talk about Special Olympics, I talk about it being my Special Olympics family.”
She says coaches and volunteers come to know athletes and their families well, understanding their individual situations and what helps each person thrive.
“Our athletes bring so much. They have so much mana,” she says.
“They compete hard out and then they’ll still tell someone else they’ve done a good job.”
“And when they celebrate, they celebrate hard!” She laughs.
“They’re the best sports people.”
For Adele, getting involved didn’t begin with a personal connection to Special Olympics. It began with finding an organisation whose values reflected her own.
“It’s such a good organisation that has lots of opportunities for lots of people,” she says.
One opportunity led to another and, before long, volunteering had become an important part of Adele’s life.
“That’s just what happens in Special Olympics.”
“You just get involved.”
Creating Opportunities
Through coaching and supporting athletes, Adele has seen firsthand the difference Special Olympics New Zealand can make for athletes and their families.
She has watched athletes travel away from home for the first time, build confidence, become more independent and discover just what they are capable of.
“Just travelling with a team to National Games is super exciting and such an opportunity for our athletes,” she says.
“It’s empowering. They realise, ‘I can do this by myself.'”
For Adele, these moments are what make Special Olympics New Zealand about much more than sport.
“For many athletes, this is their opportunity to go away from home and become more independent.”
Part of Something Bigger
One of Adele’s favourite memories from the 2025 National Summer Games wasn’t a particular competition. It was walking around Christchurch and realising just how many people she knew.
Volunteering has connected her with athletes, coaches and volunteers from clubs across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“I kept hearing people calling out, ‘Adele!'” she says.
It was a reminder of how many friendships she’d built across the wider Special Olympics New Zealand community.
“I’m just so proud to be part of Howick-Pakuranga and Special Olympics New Zealand as a whole, “she says.
That pride also motivates Adele to help more people understand what Special Olympics is all about. She says people still confuse Special Olympics with other Olympic organisations, so she enjoys sharing the difference and encouraging others to discover it for themselves.
“I’m always promoting Special Olympics,” she says.
Taking the Plunge
This month, Adele is encouraging more people to take that first step towards being part of an inclusive and welcoming community, by joining her at the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge.
Whether it’s volunteering, fundraising or simply turning up to support your local club, she believes getting involved is where the journey begins.
Cold water still isn’t her favourite thing but it’s a challenge she’s happy to accept to help create opportunities for others.
“The more money we can raise, the more athletes we can support,” she says.
“It’s a great event to be involved in.”
Take the Plunge. Be Part of Something Special.
Every dollar raised through the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge helps create sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
For Adele, getting involved opened the door to unexpected friendships, new experiences and a community she proudly calls her Special Olympics family. Sometimes all it takes is dipping your toe in the water to create a ripple effect.
Whether you take the plunge, support someone who’s fundraising, volunteer with your local club or make a donation, your first step could be the beginning of something bigger than you expect.
The plunge lasts a moment. The impact lasts a lifetime.