Special Olympics New Zealand athlete leader Ryan Smith has been recognised for his contribution to sport, winning the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (Intellectual Disability) award at the Sport Manawatū Regional Sports Awards.
Regional Sport Award Win
Ryan, from Special Olympics New Zealand’s Manawatū Club, attended the awards with his family and mentor, Helen Johnson, not expecting to hear his name announced as the winner.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to win,” says Ryan. “The other finalists were very deserving, so I went along with a realistic view of what might happen and to celebrate all of the nominees from the region.”
In announcing Ryan as the winner of his category, organisers highlighted his many achievements, including his role as Athlete Representative on the Special Olympics New Zealand Board of Trustees, his representation of the Lower North Island on the Athlete Leadership Council, and his contribution as a volunteer and Athlete Leader.
Ryan says hearing his achievements read aloud was a lot to process.
“I was ecstatic,” he says. “In my acceptance speech I thanked Sport Manawatū and everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Ryan also acknowledged the other finalists, saying it was an honour to be recognised alongside them, and thanked his family who were there to celebrate the occasion with him.
For Helen, who nominated Ryan, it was especially pleasing to see Ryan’s athlete leadership journey recognised.
“They picked up on his athlete leadership roles, being on the Board, and the amount of work Ryan puts into supporting others and giving back,” she says.
” Inclusive sport isn’t just about medals. It’s also about participation, leadership, volunteering and helping others. I was really pleased to see those aspects of Ryan’s journey recognised.”
Growing Through Sport and Leadership
Helen has known Ryan since he joined Manawatū Club as a 15-year-old.
Basketball was his first sport, with Helen coaching and supporting him to attend events and competitions. Over time, Ryan discovered swimming and later athletics, which has become his main sport. He also enjoys skiing and will attend snow camp again this year.
Like many volunteers across Special Olympics New Zealand, Helen’s support extended well beyond coaching sessions. She would pick Ryan up for trips and events, drop him home afterwards and became a familiar face at the family home, where the front door was always open when she arrived.
Over the years, Helen became more than a coach and mentor. She became part of the family’s wider whānau and has been there to support Ryan as he discovered new sports, took on leadership opportunities and found ways to give back to others.
“I’ve known Ryan since he joined us as a young teenager,” says Helen.
“I’ve watched him try new sports, take on challenges and give back to others. To see that recognised with this award was really special.”
Ryan was elected as athlete representative to the Board of Trustees in May 2024, taking over from Grace Payne, and also represents the Lower North Island on the Athlete Leadership Council.
Giving athletes a stronger voice is something Ryan is passionate about. Alongside his fellow Athlete Leadership Council members, he is helping strengthen athlete representation, including supporting the recent growth of Council positions and the election of Jared Lutu as a second Upper North Island representative.
In August, Ryan will travel to Singapore as a visitor to the 2026 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Athlete Congress, where he hopes to connect with athlete leaders from across the region, learn how leadership programmes operate in other countries and bring new ideas home.
“I want to learn from other athletes and see how they approach leadership in other countries,” says Ryan. “It will help me think differently and bring ideas back that could benefit athletes in New Zealand.”
Taking the Plunge Together
Ryan and Helen will soon take on another challenge together as members of the Manawatū Club team at the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge in Wellington.
The club is hoping to arrive in Wellington with a strong contingent, aiming to fill a second van with athletes, mentors and supporters making the trip south.
For Ryan, the Polar Plunge is about more than fundraising.
“It’s a great way to share what our club and Special Olympics New Zealand are all about, bring athletes together and introduce others to our Special Olympics whānau,” he says.
Manawatū Club is fundraising to help athletes continue participating and benefiting from opportunities through Special Olympics New Zealand, while also supporting athletes working towards future opportunities, including the 2027 World Summer Games in Chile.
Helen completed the Polar Plunge last year and says she is looking forward to doing it again.
“It’s exciting and it’s a great way for everyone to get together and do something as a team,” she says.
“I’d like to challenge other mentors, committee members and trustees to take the plunge this year.”
Taking advantage of so many athlete leaders and mentors being together in one place, the weekend will also include a second Lower North Island Athlete Leadership Forum, giving athletes further opportunities to build leadership skills, develop presentation experience and learn from one another.
Ryan’s journey shows what can be possible when athletes are supported to participate, try new opportunities and discover where sport can lead.
The cold lasts a moment, but the impact can last a lifetime.
Supporters wishing to get behind Ryan, Helen and the Manawatū Club team can donate to their Polar Plunge fundraiser here, or sign up and take the plunge themselves.
Ryan and Helen’s Polar Plunge challenge:
Watch Special Olympics New Zealand’s challenge: