PNZ Nationals Bring Festival Of Sport To Wellington

The 37th Mitsubishi Motors Paralympics New Zealand National Championships get underway tomorrow (Friday 13 November) in Wellington with 120 athletes from all parts of New Zealand competing.

In 2009, athletes will be taking part in Archery (Auckland), Athletics, Bowls, Hand Cycling, Powerlifting, Sailing, Shooting, Clay Target Shooting, Swimming and Table Tennis.

Paralympians and aspiring Paralympians will compete against each other from across New Zealand. The 120 athletes will be representing five regions – Auckland, Central North Island, Southern North Island, Canterbury and Otago-Southland.

Over the past two years, the PNZ ParaFed Revitalisation Project has enabled the ParaFeds to further develop their organisations and ultimately increase their participation levels. ParaFed Wellington intends to make all of Wellington aware of the event and the role of disabled athletes in the sporting community.

Well-known athletes taking part in the Mitsubishi Motors PNZ Nationals include multi medal winner at the Beijing Paralympics, Sophie Pascoe, Southland’s Jessica Hamill, Auckland former powerlifter, George Taamaru, bronze medal shooter Michael Johnson, as well as swimmers Daniel Sharp and Cameron Leslie.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, Kilbirnie on Friday from 6pm with Hon. Tariana Turia - Minister for Disability Issues, Hon. Annette King - Labour, MP Chris Hipkins for Rimutaka - Labour, MP for Lower/Upper Hutt - Paul Quinn, MP Sue Kedgley - Green Party all attending along with the Mayors of Wellington, Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt.

A number of celebrities will be taking part in a swimming race of sorts to celebrate the opening of the event. The first official races commence at 7.30pm