Cambridge-based Keziah Clark is Special Olympics Te Awamutu’s youngest nationals athlete this year.
Special Olympics Te Awamutu recently hosted a swim meet for 100 athletes from 13 North Island clubs in preparation for the Christchurch-based National Summer Games in December.
From left, David Smith, Matthew Smith, Ella Yarndley and Deshan Walallavita are raring to go to Christchurch.
There was plenty of excitement and many podium finishes for the Te Awamutu team.
Joel Wheddon, 13, participated in his first swim meet. He gained two first places, two seconds and “was super happy about that”, coach Shelley Blair said.
“We had good support again from the Te Awamutu Cadets and Stone Real Estate, who are an annual fixture at our events. They just love coming down,” Shelley said.
“We had some positive responses, not only from the officials, but from clubs. That it was one of the best meets they’ve attended.
“The Freemasons came down and presented ribbons, as did the Te Awamutu Lions. They were just totally overwhelmed with how excited all the athletes were even though they may have got sixth.”
Caitlin Thomas and Sarah-Jane Hudson at the Te Awamutu swim meet.
Both groups have donated towards the trip south. Te Awamutu line dancers and the country music group have too.
The cohort of 12 nationals athletes started training on both Saturday and Sunday last month.
“Every nationals year, I start incorporating Saturday mornings, as well as the usual Sunday, to focus on basic techniques, practice our relays, dives, touch and turns,” Shelley said.
“There is an expectation and a trust that the athletes will do extra work in the pool, walking, aerobics, biking – whatever the case may be – to try and get their fitness up.”
Cambridge’s Keziah Clark is Shelley’s youngest nationals athlete at 21.
“I am excited and a little nervous about the National Summer Games. I enjoy the extra Saturday training and I’m also training twice a week in Cambridge mastering diving and tumble turns,” Keziah said.
“I had my first ever first place at our Te Awamutu swim meet, so I was very proud and excited about that.”
Shelley said Keziah is a very committed athlete, “always giving something new a go with 100 per cent enthusiasm with success”.
“It’s a testament to the work that they’re putting in. When you see someone like Keziah, who’s never got a first before, I know what work she’s been putting in during the week outside of our trainings,” Shelley said.
“She will represent Te Awamutu on stage at the opening ceremony alongside David Smith, carrying the Te Awamutu banner with a whole lot of pride with 1200 other athletes watching.”
Deshan Walallavita will attend his fifth nationals.
Another athlete, Sarah-Jane Hudson is excited and nervous for nationals.
She has also been selected for the 2026 intake of the Special Olympics NZ Athlete Leadership Programme.
“Training is going really well. I go for walks and do water aerobics as well as our trainings on Saturdays and Sundays,” Sarah-Jane said.
“Looking at the results from our Te Awamutu swim meet, I feel like I am on track with where I want to be leading up to nationals.”
Longtime Ōtorohanga resident Jennifer Clark, Peter Crawford, Sarah Griffin, Matthew Smith, Caitlin Thomas, Robert van der Wee, Deshan Walallavita, Jarrod Gilbert and Ella Yarndley make up the rest of the team.
The nationals are the first big event to be hosted in the pool complex at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.
“Everybody’s raring to go and pretty excited,” Shelley said.
“I’m fortunate that the two other coaches are very positive and watch in awe as the athletes train with so much purpose.”
Her husband Bruce previously worked for New Zealand rugby as a coach developer.
“He came away with me in 2009 to my first games. He’s brought a different but very positive perspective which is really cool.
“Cherie Thompson has been with me since the beginning of the year and I couldn’t have wished for somebody better, her enthusiasm and drive flows onto the team members.
“She wants to learn more, asks questions and she’s got a good rapport with all the swimmers.
“The athletes are our priority – throughout the whole event – supporting them the best we can.”
Joel Wheddon (second from right) did well in his first swim meet.
Cambridge-based Keziah Clark is Special Olympics Te Awamutu’s youngest nationals athlete this year.
