New Zealand Junior Athletes to Compete at Inaugural Australian Paralympic Youth Games

A team of 15 athletes and 5 support staff are being sent by Paralympics New Zealand to compete the Australian Paralympic Youth Games to be held in Melbourne 5 – 11 October.

The Games will take place in Melbourne’s premier sporting venues, including the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and Olympic Park and will present the opportunity for young athletes from around New Zealand, Australia and other nations to participate in a world class event in six sports: Athletics, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Table Tennis, 7-a-side football and Wheelchair Tennis.

The Games form an integral pathway for junior disabled athletes to develop their skills in the pursuit of senior national and international representation and a pathway to the Paralympic Games.

Key event aims for the athletes include experiencing enjoyment, fun and involvement, improving self confidence, experiencing international liaison and cultures and enhancing social skills.

The team is as follows:-

Athletics
Connor Endrodi - Otago
George Hewitt - Wellington
Kaelym McGrath - Canterbury
Richard Nelson-Parker - Auckland
Holly Robinson - Canterbury
Chelsea Seagar - Auckland
Jason Wali - Canterbury
Jack Woods - Canterbury

Swimming
Mary Fisher - Wellington
Sarah Fuhrer - Waikato
Tyler Jennings - Hawkes Bay
Tyla Johnson - Canterbury
Aine Kelly-Costello - Auckland
Jesse Reynolds - Waikato
Michelle Taylor - Hawkes Bay

Support Staff
Ken Sowden - Team Manager

Chloe Wickman - Assistant Team Manager

Gail Cross - Medical Support

Aly Youngman - Athletics Coach

Noel Hardgrave-Booth - Swimming Coach