Nathan Taylor, 17, who has cerebral palsy, is one of many Hawke's Bay teens overcoming disability through sports. Photo / Halberg Games
Nathan Taylor, 17, who has cerebral palsy, is one of many Hawke's Bay teens overcoming disability through sports. Photo / Halberg Games
While riding a bike comes easily for most teenagers, 13-year-old Cam Bartle finds even a short ride to the corner of the street can leave him breathless.
Born with a complex heart condition, Cam lives with low oxygen levels and has had four open-heart surgeries, the first when hewas just 5 days old.
His mother, Rachel Bartle, says the Clive teenager is often blue around his lips and nails, and everyday activities many children take for granted can quickly exhaust him.
“He gets out of breath very easily,” she told Hawke’s Bay Today.
The St John’s College student is now waiting for another cardiac surgery at Starship children’s hospital in Auckland, with his family on standby for the call.
Despite the limits on contact sports because of the risk of serious injury, Cam has found ways to be involved.
From golf at school to badminton through Disability Sport & Recreation Hawke’s Bay, Cam has overcome every challenge.
He also spent the past four years taking part in Sense Rugby, which teaches rugby skills in a safe, non-contact environment, supporting about 20 children in Hawke’s Bay.
This year, Cam took his biggest step yet into the sports arena, joining the Halberg Games, New Zealand’s largest annual sports festival that brings together young people with physical disabilities to try a wide range of sports in a supportive environment.
Over the two days at the games at King’s College in Auckland, Cam threw himself into rock climbing, discus, cycling, basketball, running and even a relay alongside his father, Nick Bartle.
“They did it at a very slow pace, but Cam was so proud. It was absolutely amazing for him,” Rachel said.
Cam Bartle takes part in a relay run with his father, Nick Bartle, at Halberg Games. Photo / Halberg Games
One of the highlights was rock climbing with Paralympian Dame Sophie Pascoe.
“I got to try lots of different sports. My favourite was rock climbing with Dame Sophie Pascoe. She raced me to the top.
“I feel like I can be part of some type of sport no matter my disability.”
Cam Bartle says competing with Paralympian Dame Sophie Pascoe at rock climbing was a highlight for him at the 2026 Halberg Games. Photo / Halberg Games
Cam is not the only Hawke’s Bay young person using sport to find confidence and belonging.
Nathan Taylor, 17, who lives with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, has been a regular at the Halberg Games for the past five years.
After years of using a walker, Taylor now relies on a wheelchair full-time following complications from surgery that left him with a significant leg-length difference.
Over his life, he has undergone more than 10 brain surgeries.
At the festival, Taylor has taken part in swimming, boccia, basketball and wheelchair races.
“It’s been more challenging over the last few years,” he said.
“I can’t participate in the same way as before. But sport is really important to me. I still enjoy it.”
Nathan Taylor has been a regular at the Halberg Games over the past five years. Photo / Halberg Games
Growing up in a sports-loving household in Havelock North with two brothers, Taylor was always around games.
“By watching sports on TV and my brothers play, I wanted to try it myself,” he said.
He first picked up a ball as a toddler, and now takes part in multiple activities each week, including swimming, basketball, and boccia through Disability Sport & Recreation Hawke’s Bay.
“I’d like to keep playing sport and be able to live independently,” he said.
“Having a disability doesn’t stop you from doing everything. We still want to be included like everyone else, even if it looks a little different.”
