The four swimmers were part of a group of 20 making up the basis of the Special Olympics Bay of Islands Club which trains at Kawakawa Pool on Mondays.
Credit for the team's outstanding results at the trans Tasman meet went to Sharon Cooper who was head coach for the weekend, alongside assistant coaches Taunaha Smith, Steph Godsiff, Anika West, Rachel Bray, Ann Robinson and Tanja Bilj.
Credit also went to the club's former head coach Barbara Linton and her husband, Paul.
Kathy Gibson, the CEO of Special Olympics New Zealand, congratulated the Far North swimmers on their achievements.
She noted many personal bests were claimed by swimmers from both sides of the ditch at a tournament designed to give athletes more opportunity to compete, particularly those with higher needs who may not otherwise be given the opportunity.
"Special Olympics is all about participation and doing one's best and all athletes certainly showed they can achieve that at this tournament. We are not about elite sport but about everyone having the opportunity to compete and be included," she said.
- Hamilton played host to hundreds of athletes with intellectual disabilities from throughout New Zealand and Australia for the third Special Olympics Trans Tasman Tournament from November 25-27.
Nearly 300 New Zealand and 120 Australian athletes of all ages and abilities competed in swimming and athletics.
Day one of the meet began at Waterworld with an opening ceremony that included a powhiri from Waikato Ngati Maahanga, official welcome of VIPs, athletes, team management and families, raising of the Special Olympics New Zealand, Australian and New Zealand flags and then the arrival of the Flame of Hope.
A similar ceremony was also held at the athletics venue, Porritt Stadium, where the cauldron was lit and remained lit for the duration of the event.
The trans Tasman tournament was supported by nearly 150 volunteer coaches and management staff, more than 500 family members and a strong contingent of local volunteers.
