Fair Play award to Tama at Halberg Games

At his own Pace: Gisborne athlete Tama Wirepa (left) flies down the track in a sprint race at the Halberg Games North. Tama, representing Parafed Gisborne Tairāwhiti, won the Lindsay Foundation Fair Play Award.Pictures suppled

Black Ferns Renee Wickliffe, Ari Bayler and Alana Bremner took time during the Women's Rugby World Cup to support athletes at the Halberg Games North held at Kings College in Auckland over the weekend.

The sports festival for young New Zealanders with physical disabilities gave participants the opportunity to represent their region over two days of competition, camaraderie and fun.

Gisborne Tairāwhiti was among the five Parafed organisations that took part in the Games which are being held regionally for the first time due to the national event being cancelled earlier this year because of the impact of Covid-19.

The North event featured over 120 athletes competing in five local regional teams at Kings College.

Over 15 sports were on offer over the weekend including athletics, wheelchair sports, basketball, gymnastics and boccia.

Twelve awards were presented to athletes and supporters for their awesome efforts across the weekend including Most Valuable Team Member from each region.

Eighteen-year-old Tama Wirepa, of Parafed Gisborne Tairāwhiti won the Lindsay Foundation Fair Play Award.

Parafed Waikato won the Mondelez New Zealand Team Spirt of the Games Award for their positivity, encouragement, motivation, resilience and winning attitude throughout the weekend.

Pierte Meredith-Vaueli, from Counties Manukau, won the David Levene Foundation Award as the Most Promising Athlete at the event. Pierte, 12, took part in 15 events over the weekend.

The Halberg Foundation is a charitable organisation founded in 1963 by Olympic legend, Sir Murray Halberg (ONZ, MBE) which aims to enhance the lives of physically disabled young people through sport and recreation.

The Halberg Games North was the second of three two-day regional sports festivals. The Halberg Games South was held in Christchurch at the start of the month and the Halberg Games Central are in Palmerston North this weekend.