Southland Football enjoyed being part of last year’s iAM Games so much they were on the phone earlier this year with organisers to pencil in the dates for 2024.

Development and Operations manager Iain Walker said getting involved again after last year’s award-winning inaugural event was a no-brainer for football, who have worked alongside Active Southland disability advisor Chris Knight on a number of activations.

“It was awesome to be involved in the iAM Games, to such an extent that we checked in with Chris earlier this year on when they were holding them in 2024 to get into our calendar,” Walker said.

“Football is a game that everyone can play. We encourage inclusiveness and participation for all. Our strategy is to take games that every child can play and play them in their normal way and then adapt to football. We then simply adapt them again with techniques or special equipment for those with all kinds of disability.”

Walker said it was great to see the enjoyment of participants and their families and football had also benefited from participants getting involved in football fulltime.

“We are always happy to help and support, adapt and adjust.”

Southland Cricket also enjoyed last year’s Games and were eager to return, manager Lauren Roney said.

“(It was) an awesome experience. We have some great memories from the day and cannot wait to be involved again this year.

“It's been fantastic to have the chance to engage with kids and a community that do not always have the same opportunities as others, and we are hoping to continue doing more and more in the future. NZC have a vision that cricket will be "a game for all, and a game for life", and we love helping bring that vision to life.”

Like their football counterparts, Southland Cricket has also seen benefits for its organisation, Roney said.

“It has helped our staff become better in their roles and gain the confidence to try and diversify what we provide.”

Croquet New Zealand inclusion officer Oliver Field said the iAM Games was a high quality event which was a great way to promote the sport in Southland and the lower South Island.

“Croquet NZ will be providing adapted equipment, some of which is owned by our Southland Association. These include mallets for wheelchair users, aids for blind/low vision players and shorter/lighter mallets to make croquet more accessible.

“Athletes will be given the chance to learn the basics of the sport through various activities and a court will be set up for full matches with the support of our volunteers. There will also be opportunities in the region for ongoing play as equipment is kept at Queens Park Croquet Club with enthusiastic club members.”

Croquet NZ were pleased to be involved, Field said.

“Providing young people with disabilities a range of options for sport and recreation opportunities not only creates a more equal and inclusive society but showcases that these players can compete at a high level.” 

Article added: Monday 05 August 2024