Special Olympian gets special All Blacks gift

Special Olympian Nathan Begley with his new All Black top, donated after his own was stolen last week. Photo / Alex Fensome

Senior Constable Bruce Dow has not yet caught the thief who stole an All Blacks jersey from a North Otago Special Olympian - but he has managed to replace the shirt with something special.

Palmerston powerlifter Nathan Begley has been given two brand-new All Blacks jerseys - one signed by the 2010 side - and a personal letter from captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry.

"It's pretty cool," he said. "Pretty exciting."

Mr Begley's original jersey was stolen last Wednesday night during a training session at the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre, leaving the "rugby-mad" 26-year-old distraught.

Yesterday, Mr Dow presented the new jerseys and letter to Mr Begley at the scene of the crime.

"The best result would be to have Nathan's original jersey he worked hard for back on his shoulders and a person looking out from behind bars at the Oamaru Police Station," Mr Dow said.

However, with no real leads, he made an effort to find a new jersey for Mr Begley. He contacted the New Zealand Rugby Union and within days the signed kit and letter were on their way south.

Meanwhile, retail chain Champions of the World contacted police to offer another replacement jersey. Because a signed shirt is something to frame rather than to wear, Mr Dow took them up on the offer, so Mr Begley still has a jersey to show his support in.

Offers of help had flooded in to Mr Dow after the crime was reported in The Oamaru Mail and other media.

Mr Begley's mother, Daphne, who drives him to Oamaru for training with Special Olympics coach Jimmy McGeown three days a week, said she and her husband were overwhelmed and "amazed at the generosity of people".

Mr McGeown said Mr Begley was an exceptionally dedicated trainer and was "just one of the boys" at the recreation centre's gym.
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"Personally, [the theft] was gut-wrenching after all he's done," he said. "He's put in a huge effort effort. Wednesday was the worst of times."

Local people's reaction to the crime and the groundswell of support offered had amazed him. "What a wonderful community we live in. It's really just wonderful," he said.

The signed letter reads: "Dear Nathan, we were saddened to hear that someone had stolen your All Blacks jersey. So on behalf of the All Blacks, we would like to present you with a brand new jersey signed by the 2010 squad. We've heard that you are not only a huge rugby fan but also a swimming and power-lifting Special Olympian! That's a fantastic achievement and you sound like an inspirational young man. Keep up the training, Nathan, and thanks for your ongoing support of the All Blacks. It really is appreciated."

As a Palmerstonian, Mr Begley is a fan of the Highlanders, and his favourite player is Jimmy Cowan. "We will win the World Cup 2011," he said.

Police still hope to find out who took the jersey and get it returned.

- OAMARU MAIL