Alice prepares for second national competition in two months

12-year-old Alice Sampson is competing in the Halberg Junior Disability Games next month. 22 September 2017 The Bay of Plenty Times Photograph by Andrew Warner.

Alice Sampson does not get a lot of rest between competitions, having just competed at this month's Anchor AIMS Games and now training for her next national competition.

The 12-year-old will compete in the 2017 Halberg Junior Disability Games in Auckland from October 6-8, which is a three-day sports competition for physically disabled and visually impaired eight to 21-year-olds.

Alice has cerebral palsy, a condition that causes tightening of the muscles, affecting her movement and balance.

She had been training to compete in athletics, swimming and cricket which her mum Kerry Sampson said had been "absolutely amazing" for her development.

"Alice has loved sports ever since she was a little girl, as she has been doing a lot more training she has a lot more movement in the right-side of her body."

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Mrs Sampson said it was not only her physical development that had improved but also her social improvement was noticeable too.

"Alice is a twin and it was always hard to see her not be as involved in things as her sister. There was never much for Alice to compete in but now she can really feel as though she is included in something, she has something to work towards."

Mrs Sampson said sporting events allowed Alice to interact with and meet kids "with the same kind of struggles".

"It's so lovely for her, they can get together and have a bit of fun."

Alice won gold medals in the para-athletes division of the Anchor AIMS Games earlier this month for swimming and cross country, which the 12-year-old was very pleased with.

She said swimming was the event she was looking forward to most in the lead-up to the Halberg Junior Disability Games.

"Backstroke is my favourite," she said.

Alice said she looked up to current Black Stick Amy Robinson, who was in the sports department at Tauranga Intermediate School.

Miss Robinson acts as a mentor to Alice and the pair had been doing a lot of running together to prepare for Alice's national competitions.

"Everyday I see Alice she puts a smile on my face, she's so positive and it's so good to see when I play games with her that other children want to join in and play with us too."

About 150 athletes are expected to compete in nine regional teams across a range of sports. The event will also host the Boccia National Junior Championship and the Wheelchair Basketball National Junior Championship.

Parafed Bay of Plenty is managing the Bay of Plenty team and has supported athletes from across the region as they prepare for the Games.