Soccer: Hopefuls' skills get workout at Cup

Kerikeri proved to be the perfect stomping ground for 70 up-and-coming Special Olympians who put their footballing skills to the test.

Special Olympics NZ regional sports co-ordinator Trudi Bridges said it was a great success to see so many secondary school students testing the skills they have been practising at school for the last term.

"We have students throughout the country, predominantly secondary schools, competing in different sports competitively," explained Bridges.

"We send the schools a programme for them to teach and we lead up into an interschool competition for the region. [The point of it is] so the students can all get together and compete for their school in a competition because these guys don't usually make their school football teams."

Bridges said of the 70 students taking part in yesterday's "Special Olympics New Zealand Football World Cup" there were seven schools that had entered.

She added seven to eight regular schools took part in Special Olympic events in Northland with Kaitaia College, Okauhau College, Kerikeri High School, Northland College, Tikipunga High School, Whangarei Boys', Blomfield, and Pompallier Catholic College. Bridges made special mention that Special Olympics had included four wheelchair athletes, saying that they too don't have a chance to represent their schools and yesterday proved to be a way for them to do that.

The World Cup is part of a drive by the Oceania Football Confederation, NZ Football and Special Olympics NZ which aims to offer people with intellectual disabilities around the country the opportunity to train and compete in football while showcasing the sport.

More than 1000 athletes with intellectual disabilities are expected to take part in the Special Olympics Football World Cup, which includes 20 events this month and next.

In true World Cup-style, participants are being encouraged to wear the colours of their favourite team (eg, Portugal, England, or Brazil), and create banners promoting their team.

There are spot prizes for creativity and for the best show of support. An overall winner will be announced in July.

Special Olympics NZ is also showcasing futsal as a sport during the Special Olympics NZ Football World Cup.