Every week, swimmers from across North Canterbury come together to train, learn new skills and spend time with friends.
For athlete Haven and coach Sheryl, those sessions are about much more than swimming.
They’re part of a community where athletes, coaches, volunteers and whānau support one another, celebrate achievements and help people with intellectual disabilities discover the joy of sport, friendship and belonging.
“It’s not just a team,” says Sheryl. “You’re a family.”
Finding Confidence Through Sport
Haven joined Special Olympics New Zealand around 12 years ago when she was about 10 years old.
Since then, she has represented New Zealand at the World Games, competed in swimming and athletics, and now helps coach newer swimmers at the club.
One of the biggest changes Haven has noticed has been in her confidence.
“My social skills got a lot better once I went to my first Nationals,” Haven says. “I was quite in my shell before that, and I got better at socialising slowly.”
The friendships she has made through North Canterbury Club continue to be one of the things she enjoys most about being involved.
The team trains, competes and fundraises together, while regional events provide opportunities to reconnect with athletes from Christchurch and Mid Canterbury.
“It’s great seeing all the teams together when they haven’t seen each other for a while,” Sheryl says. “You get the big smiles and lots of high fives.”
Supporting One Another
Today, Haven is helping other athletes build confidence in the water.
Alongside Sheryl, she helps teach beginner swimmers of different ages and abilities, supporting them as they learn new skills.
“I like seeing them learn and get better at what they do,” she says.
Some of those swimmers progress into the club’s training squads and competitions, something Haven enjoys seeing.
At the 2025 National Summer Games in Christchurch, Haven also decided to try something different by competing in athletics.
“I wanted to try something different,” she says.
She enjoys keeping active and taking part in different sports. “I just like playing sports. It’s really good to keep busy.”
A Community Built Around People
Sheryl was first introduced to Special Olympics New Zealand as a teenager and has remained involved throughout her swimming career. She has been coaching swimming for 17 years and became Head Coach of North Canterbury Club two years ago.
Seeing athletes enjoy themselves is what Sheryl enjoys most.
Sheryl says coaching is about getting to know every athlete as an individual.
“You have coaches who put their heart into it,” she says. “Who listen to the athletes and understand where they’re coming from.”
By taking the time to understand each athlete, coaches support them to develop skills, build confidence and enjoy participating in sport.
That support extends well beyond the pool.
Parents volunteer behind the scenes, families travel together to competitions, committee members give their time, and athletes encourage one another.
Sheryl also works alongside other Canterbury clubs, sharing her experience and helping athletes develop new skills.
“You don’t just work for your own team,” she says. “You work for everyone.”
Helping More Families Find Their Place
One of Sheryl’s biggest hopes is that more families become aware of Special Olympics New Zealand.
Through her work as a swimming coach, and her involvement with foster families and grandparents raising grandchildren, Sheryl often meets families who simply don’t know opportunities like Special Olympics New Zealand are available.
“There are things out there for people with intellectual disabilities where they can be part of a family,” she says.
“Everyone out there deserves to be part of something.”
Whether it’s someone overcoming a fear of the water, learning a new skill or celebrating a personal best, Sheryl says every achievement matters.
“It makes your heart really warm inside to see the athletes achieve.”
Swimming sessions also include water safety alongside stroke development, helping athletes develop water confidence and practical safety skills.
Taking the Plunge Together
This July, Haven, Sheryl and the North Canterbury team will once again be taking part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge.
Funds raised help clubs continue creating sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities by supporting equipment, uniforms, travel to competitions and local events.
For Haven, the Polar Plunge is also an opportunity to spend time with the wider Special Olympics New Zealand community.
“It’s also a social thing,” she says. “You get to socialise with people from different clubs.”
She encourages anyone thinking about taking part to give it a go.
“It’s very much worth it because you’re raising money for Special Olympics, and it’s only a very short dip in cold water.”
Sheryl would also like to acknowledge the support of North Canterbury Police, Rangiora Auto Service, Inviewprint and Novus Glass New Zealand for getting behind the club and helping create opportunities for local athletes, and she’s challenging them to take the plunge this July too!
Take the Plunge. Help Create More Opportunities.
Every dollar raised through the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge helps create sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
By taking the plunge, donating or helping spread the word, you’re helping clubs like North Canterbury continue creating opportunities for athletes participate in sport, make friends and be part of a community.
The plunge lasts a moment. The impact lasts a lifetime.