Special Olympics New Zealand are delighted to confirm the nine-strong squad who will represent New Zealand at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy from March 8-16 2025.
Representatives from right across the country will be part of the squad flying the New Zealand flag at the games with athletes from eight separate Special Olympics clubs, from Southland to North Harbour, featuring in the Squad.
Following their participation in the World Games Selection Camp, which ran alongside Snow Camp at Cardrona Alpine Resort earlier this month, Cosmo Adams (Snowboarding), Tim Clayton (Alpine Skiing), Marc Enderle (Alpine Skiing), Joseph Fitzpatrick-Bryant (Alpine Skiing), Jarrod Gilbert (Snowboarding), Mitchell Hartnett-Newlands (Alpine Skiing), Rebecca Heath (Alpine Skiing), Grant McKenzie (Alpine Skiing) and James Oliver (Alpine Skiing) have all been confirmed as members of the squad to travel to Italy.
“It means everything because I never thought I was going to have an opportunity like this in my life.” said Joseph Fitzpartick-Bryant, speaking about his selection for the World Games while Tim Clayton said that he had been “dreaming of this for 22 years.”
Leading the team on their journey will be Dave Cowie, who has been confirmed as the Head of Delegation for the games with North Harbour’s Grant Haskell serving as Assistant Head of Delegation. The athletes will be supported by five further coaches and support staff throughout the games; Alpine Skiing coaches, Brian Benn and Lynette Donaldson, Snowboarding coach Steve Westcott and team doctor Nicole Lundon. Brian Benn is a new addition to the coaching ranks, stepping in after John Gilbert had to withdraw due to personal reasons.
“When they get over there it will be something memorable for the rest of their lives, making memories for them is what it’s all about” said Cowie when speaking of his excitement for the opportunity to coach and spend time with this group of athletes.
“This group are all inspirational people as well as incredibly talented athletes. They will be wonderful ambassadors for Special Olympics in New Zealand and the whole country.” said Fran Scholey – Special Olympics NZ CEO, adding “We are incredibly thankful for the support and hard work of our Special Olympics Clubs and families throughout this process, who have all done an amazing job helping prepare the athletes for the adventure that awaits them.”
Due to the cancellation of the previous World Winter Games, this will be New Zealand Snow Sports’ athletes first opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage since the 2017 World Winter Games in Austria, where the New Zealand team won 18 medals.
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.