Paralympics: Helping young inspires Halberg adviser

Erin Fitzgerald who is the Hawke's Bay/Wellington sports adviser for the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Dealing with children and adults with disabilities inspires Erin Fitzgerald.

"I'm involved with those who have impairment and disabilities, so I motivate them so they want to take part in everything and get over any barriers," says Fitzgerald, who is the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation adviser for the Wellington/Hawke's Bay region.

"I deal with sports organisations and clubs. It's inclusive so everyone can take part," she says. She meets parents and their children to establish if they require "activity funds," which are financial grants to physically disabled under-21s for lessons or sports/school camps. "I'm on call 4-6 weeks," says Fitzgerald who will be back in the Bay on February 11, at Frimley Park for the annual Weet-Bix TRYathlon.

Napier mother Michelle McKelvie says Fitzgerald's skills will be a great asset for the region, after meeting her for the first time this week.

"Erin's lovely and a great ambassador of what the role entails and how to help people like us with finances and extras," McKelvie says.

Fitzgerald also helps parents map a pathway for their children to team sports and becoming an integral cog in social circles.

Having arrived in New Zealand from England more than six years ago, she worked at Victoria University in Wellington.

Fitzgerald helped establish not only a gym but "something people wouldn't normally use".

The University of Gloucestershire graduate was several years ago attending tutorials involving three New Zealand tutors, who encouraged students to travel here. Five of them did.

"I want to do positive things in life and this is one of them," says the woman who plays football for the Petone club and is one of 10 Halberg advisers in the country.

The foundation is a charitable organisation which Olympic legend Sir Murray Halberg founded in 1963 in the belief that all people should have equal opportunity to enhance their lives through sport and recreation.