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Wed, 10 Oct 2018 10:30:13 +1300

On On this page you will find news stories and articles showcasing the awesome people who live in and around Southland.

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Wed, 10 Oct 2018 10:25:02 +1300

On this page you will find news stories and articles showcasing the awesome people who live in and around Southland.

News

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:40:31 +1300

Exciting role for southern athlete

Special Olympics athlete Shonagh Clarke, of Invercargill, is preparing to join a group of athletes known as Global Messengers, set to become ambassadors for Special Olympics New Zealand.

Clarke, who competes with Special Olympics Southland in ten pin bowling and has been with the club for about 30 years, is one of six athletes who will take part in the Global Messenger training programme in New Zealand this year. The goal of the programme is to equip athletes with the skills to take up the role of ambassador for the organisation within their communities throughout the country.

Following the training, Clarke will join more than 70 Global Messengers in supporting and inspiring other athletes and promoting the Special Olympics in New Zealand.

“I think it is an awesome achievement and an honour to be selected,” she said.

The 51 year old has represented New Zealand twice, at the World Summer Games in the United States in 1991 and at the Asia Pacific Games in Australia in 2013.

“My favourite thing about Special Olympics is representing my province and country in my sport of ten pin bowling. I also like meeting new people around the world and gaining new friends nationally and internationally – and keeping fit.”

Clarke has also been athlete representative on the Special Olympics Southland committee for 10 years, is secretary of the club’s athletes’ committee, treasurer of her bowling league and works full-time as a mail clerk at SBS Bank.

Regional team leader for Special Olympics New Zealand Julia Sanson said being selected to become a Global Messenger was a huge achievement and an amazing opportunity for the athletes.

“As an athlete-driven organisation, it’s important our athletes have a voice in raising awareness and breaking down barriers which they and their peers often experience. They share their experiences and achievements gained through Special Olympics as a very strong and powerful voice of awareness and change.”

The class of 2018 started their leadership training in Wellington last week.

Special Olympics New Zealand is a year-round programme of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

For more information, go to www.specialolympics.org.nz

Taken from The Southland Express , February 28, 2018.

News

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:34:51 +1300

Exciting role for southern athlete

Special Olympics athlete Shonagh Clarke, of Invercargill, is preparing to join a group of athletes known as Global Messengers, set to become ambassadors for Special Olympics New Zealand.

Clarke, who competes with Special Olympics Southland in ten pin bowling and has been with the club for about 30 years, is one of six athletes who will take part in the Global Messenger training programme in New Zealand this year. The goal of the programme is to equip athletes with the skills to take up the role of ambassador for the organisation within their communities throughout the country.

Following the training, Clarke will join more than 70 Global Messengers in supporting and inspiring other athletes and promoting the Special Olympics in New Zealand.

“I think it is an awesome achievement and an honour to be selected,” she said.

The 51 year old has represented New Zealand twice, at the World Summer Games in the United States in 1991 and at the Asia Pacific Games in Australia in 2013.

“My favourite thing about Special Olympics is representing my province and country in my sport of ten pin bowling. I also like meeting new people around the world and gaining new friends nationally and internationally – and keeping fit.”

Clarke has also been athlete representative on the Special Olympics Southland committee for 10 years, is secretary of the club’s athletes’ committee, treasurer of her bowling league and works full-time as a mail clerk at SBS Bank.

Regional team leader for Special Olympics New Zealand Julia Sanson said being selected to become a Global Messenger was a huge achievement and an amazing opportunity for the athletes.

“As an athlete-driven organisation, it’s important our athletes have a voice in raising awareness and breaking down barriers which they and their peers often experience. They share their experiences and achievements gained through Special Olympics as a very strong and powerful voice of awareness and change.”

The class of 2018 started their leadership training in Wellington last week.

Special Olympics New Zealand is a year-round programme of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

For more information, go to www.specialolympics.org.nz

Taken from The Southland Express , February 28, 2018.

News

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 11:00:15 +1200

Exciting role for southern athlete

Special Olympics athlete Shonagh Clarke, of Invercargill, is preparing to join a group of athletes known as Global Messengers, set to become ambassadors for Special Olympics New Zealand. ~~Kiwi shotputter claims bronze~~

~~New Zealand shot putter Jess Hamill didn't let disjointed preparation stop her claiming a bronze medal at the 2017 Para Athletics World Championships in London recently.~~

Clarke, ~~The Invercargill competitor,~~ who competes with Special Olympics Southland ~~is now based~~ in ten pin bowling and has been ~~Dunedin, overcame a mixed build up~~ with the club for about 30 years, is one of six athletes who will take part in the Global Messenger training programme in New Zealand this year. The goal of the programme is to equip athletes ~~weeks off to secure a podium finish~~ with the skills to take up the role ~~a season's best throw~~ of ambassador for ~~7.77m in~~ the organisation within their communities throughout the country. ~~F34 class.~~

Following the training, Clarke will join more ~~"I had a great series and better~~ than 70 Global Messengers ~~I had been throwing~~ in supporting and inspiring other athletes and promoting the Special Olympics in New Zealand. ~~lead up," she said.~~

“I think it is an awesome achievement and an honour to be selected,” she said.

The 51 year old has represented New Zealand twice, at ~~"My health was probably one of~~ the World Summer Games in the United States in 1991 ~~biggest challenges, having not a lot of competitions~~ and at ~~missing~~ the Asia Pacific Games in Australia in 2013. ~~nationals."~~

“My favourite thing about Special Olympics is representing my province and country in my sport of ten pin bowling. I also like meeting new people around ~~The 26-year-old was pleased with her form, after producing six consistent throws during~~ the world and gaining new friends nationally and internationally – and keeping fit.” ~~event.~~

Clarke has also been athlete representative ~~The gold medal was decided in a tight contest between China's Zou Lijuan on 8.23m and Poland's Lucyna Kornobys~~ on ~~8.22m, with~~ the Special Olympics Southland committee for 10 years, is secretary of ~~Hamill,~~ the club’s athletes’ committee, treasurer of ~~New Zealand team captain claiming third, with~~ her bowling league and works full-time as a mail clerk at SBS Bank. ~~best effort less than 0.5m behind her rivals.~~

Regional team leader for Special Olympics New Zealand Julia Sanson said being selected ~~"It feels great~~ to become ~~get the bronze medal after such~~ a Global Messenger ~~tight competition," she said.~~

"It was intense out there for me, I was eager to catch the Polish and Chinese lady, but at the end of the day they threw well."

"It was a huge achievement ~~great honor~~ and an amazing opportunity for the athletes.

~~I had so much fun out there.~~ The class of 2018 started their leadership training in Wellington last week. ~~support has been amazing."~~

Special Olympics New Zealand is a year-round programme of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

For more information, go to www.specialolympics.org.nz

Taken from ~~from~~ The Southland Express ~~Times~~ , February 28, 2018. ~~July 20, 2017.~~

News

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 11:49:41 +1200

Kiwi shotputter claims bronze ~~Please find the latest health and disability news stories here, at Firstport.co.nz .~~

New Zealand shot putter Jess Hamill didn't let disjointed preparation stop her claiming a bronze medal at the 2017 Para Athletics World Championships in London recently.

The Invercargill competitor, who is now based in Dunedin, overcame a mixed build up with six weeks off to secure a podium finish with a season's best throw of 7.77m in the F34 class.

"I had a great series and better than I had been throwing in the lead up," she said.

"My health was probably one of the biggest challenges, having not a lot of competitions and missing the nationals."

The 26-year-old was pleased with her form, after producing six consistent throws during the event.

The gold medal was decided in a tight contest between China's Zou Lijuan on 8.23m and Poland's Lucyna Kornobys on 8.22m, with the Hamill, the New Zealand team captain claiming third, with her best effort less than 0.5m behind her rivals.

"It feels great to get the bronze medal after such a tight competition," she said.

"It was intense out there for me, I was eager to catch the Polish and Chinese lady, but at the end of the day they threw well."

"It was a great honor and I had so much fun out there. The support has been amazing."

Taken from The Southland Times , July 20, 2017.

News

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 17:02:06 +1200

Please find the latest health and disability news stories here, at Firstport.co.nz .

News

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 17:01:51 +1200