Wairarapa athletes pumped

Gaylene van Wijk has first-hand knowledge what Special Olympics New Zealand can do for people with an intellectual disability.
She has seen the positive impact that sports training can have through her daughter being involved with the organisation for many years in Nelson and is excited at the prospects of a Special Olympics club being formed in the Wairarapa.
That will happen with a special launch on Saturday, August 13, at the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton, with organiser Ms van Wijk hopeful the new club will be given a flying start.
"We are inviting people of all ages and abilities to come along and show their support," she said.
Ms van Wijk said her daughter had played basketball and competed in swimming and athletics through the Special Olympics programme and had loved it.
And as a swim coach, Ms van Wijk is training a boy in Masterton with Asperger's syndrome who has improved immensely, socially and athletically since beginning a swimming programme.
With the Wairarapa being a big catchment area, Ms van Wijk believes there will be a good number of people living in the region who will benefit from Special Olympics and it is "high time" they are given that opportunity.
The Wairarapa club will offer aquatics, equestrian and tenpin bowling and its members will be able to compete against other Special Olympic clubs from throughout New Zealand on a local, national and, ultimately, international level.
Special Olympics New Zealand recently sent a delegation to Athens, Greece, for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. More than 7000 competitors attended and the Kiwis returned home with a record 34 medals. SONZ are due to hold their national Summer Games in Dunedin in 2013.