The Special Olympics New Zealand Board and Sports Committee are thrilled to announce the athletes who have been named in the preliminary squad to represent New Zealand in the 2025 World Winter Games which will be hosted in Torino 8 – 16 March 2025.
The Special Olympics World Winter Games are the world’s largest inclusive winter sports event – attracting thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in a variety of winter sports over nine days of exciting and inspiring competition.
We wish our athletes the best of luck in the coming months as they prepare and train for the Selection Camp scheduled for August in Wanaka.
2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games New Zealand Preliminary Squad:
Learn more about the NZ Squad here
Alongside the athletes we are thrilled to confirm our coaches and management team who have been selected to work with Head of Delegation, Dave Cowie to train and prepare our New Zealand athletes as they get ready to take on the world in Italy.
Head of Delegation:
Dave Cowie – Southland
Assistant Head of Delegation:
Grant Haskell – North Harbour
Coaches:
Lynette Donaldson, Alpine Skiing – Southland
John Gilbert, Snowboarding – Te Awamutu
Grant Haskell, Alpine Skiing – North Harbour
Steve Westcott, Alpine Skiing – North Harbour
Team Doctor:
Nicole Lundon – Manawatu
The athletes will now train and prepare for the Special Olympics Snow Camp in Wanaka from 10-17 August, where after final assessment the confirmed New Zealand Team will be announced in late August.