Members of the Rotorua Special Olympics tenpin bowling teams proudly hold the Flame of Hope aloft.
Members of the Rotorua Special Olympics tenpin bowling teams proudly hold the Flame of Hope aloft.
Rotorua athletes are gearing up for the trip of a lifetime as 39 competitors head to Christchurch next week for the Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games.
The Rotorua delegation, 56-strong including coaches, volunteers and supporters, is one of the largest in the competition.
Special Olympics Rotorua, formed in 1984, first competed in a National Summer Games in Christchurch, so it is poignant its athletes are returning there, powered by community support, dedication and deep pride.
This year, Rotorua athletes will compete in swimming, indoor bowls, bocce, football and tenpin bowling – the latter a sport the club has proudly fielded since its beginnings.
Delegation head Jill Allely said Christchurch was expected to be another milestone in a long history of competition.
“We’re thrilled to be taking one of our biggest teams. There’s a lot of excitement and belief; this is what our athletes train for.”
Tenpin bowling coach Shona Gibbs, alongside long-serving volunteer Maxine Smith and two other volunteers, will guide the four teams into competition.
Smith and two athletes, Greg Hyde and Delarnie Smith, will also have the honour of representing Rotorua on stage at the opening ceremony - significant for both athletes, who may be competing in their final games.
Another long-serving tenpin bowler is Marcel Kessels, who originally started Special Olympics playing football.
Tenpin bowling team (from left) Marcel Kessells, Adrian Rowe, Jesse Snowdon and Matthew Gibbs.
For Kessels and Delarnie, their sporting commitment goes far beyond the bowling alleys.
Kessels, who lives with osteoarthritis and recently had a hip replacement, is returning with determination and quiet confidence.
He works at the Rotorua Agrodome and said bowling brought him joy.
“I like meeting my friends and having fun.”
Delarnie, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and vision loss, bowls with accuracy, humour, and grit.
She trains with the team, and also at home on the farm – often with cows standing on the sideline like spectators. When asked how she lines up a throw, her answer is simple: “I look at the arrows in the middle, that’s how I make it go straight.”
Outside sport, Smith works twice a week at Briscoes and spends time with her peers at a day service. She also knits beanies, which she donates to schools and community groups, including those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle in Wairoa.
Both athletes credit their sport with helping them achieve more, not only in the various sports they have competed in, but also in life.
“I used to feel butterflies – now I feel more confident,” Delarnie said.
Maxine, Delarnie’s mother and a long-time volunteer, said the athletes were her teachers as much as she was theirs.
“They show us patience, kindness, and that winning isn’t everything. They just want to compete, be together and cheer each other on.”
With friendly rivalry between the four tenpin bowling teams and also looking forward to the competition in Christchurch, the Rotorua athletes are ready to roll, adapt and enjoy every frame.
And after the medals are awarded, one thing is certain: the disco on Sunday is set to be unmissable.
Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games start on December 10.
