The growing legend of the Hawke's Bay Special Olympics football team: 'We are definitely the happiest'

Hawke's Bay Special Olympics football team features players aged nine to 71. Photo / Supplied

An age-defying Hawke's Bay Special Olympics football team are one weekend away from qualifying for an eighth National Summer Games.

The team features players of all ages – from nine-year-old Dominic Hoskins to 71-year-old Danny Dromgool.

The side are due to compete at the regional Special Olympics tournament in Manawatū this weekend to confirm the squad officially qualified to compete at the National Summer Games in December.

The four-yearly event, which will be held in Hamilton, attracts close to 2000 athletes and coaches from across the country to compete in 11 sports.

The football tournaments will consist of seven-a-side matches at the Porritt Stadium, the home of Northern League side Hamilton Wanderers.

Jack Lowe, who coaches the Hawke's Bay side with Shayne Crabtree, said the side has progressed immensely since he began helping a handful of youngsters with intellectual disabilities close to 30 years ago.

"I'm not sure we if we are the longest-running team in the country, but we are definitely the happiest," he said.

"The athletes rely so much on you and become such a big part of your life. But once you put your hand up for Special Olympics, you seem to be part of it until you die."

Hawke's Bay Special Olympics football team player Zac Blake, aged 19. Photo / Supplied

Lowe said the games offer a chance for the team to reconnect with close friends made at previous events.

"When the teams get together it's hugs and high-fives all around when they see old friends, old girlfriends or former boyfriends," he said.

"The National Games are very social and some athletes are convinced they hook up with three or four new girlfriends in that one week.

"My favourite moment is when they get off the bus after a three-hour bus ride and they are all very tired, but still all make sure they thank you for coaching them."

Lowe reminisced about endless heart-warming moments over the years, but admitted he and Crabtree are nearing the end of their time in charge of the team.

He remembered a Trans-Tasman tournament where the side were heavily losing, when a player finally came close to scoring.

"But our striker's bootlaces came loose," he said. "Instead of stopping the ball, the Victorian goalkeeper bent down to do up our player's laces.

"Even with the goalkeeper busy with the laces, we still couldn't score. That was a classic Special Olympics moment."

Lowe said a new player insisted on playing in goal, but it soon became clear to the coaches something wasn't quite right.

"When he walked onto the field, we realised he was blind," he said. "Every time the ball hit him, he'd ask if he had saved it.

"Unfortunately he started to get a bit angry every time the ball hit him too hard, so we had to try someone else."