Halberg Games providing inspiration for Amy Ellis chasing Paralympic dreams
Ellis is a T13 athlete, specialising in 100m, 200m, and 400m racing, and is legally blind, having been born with three conditions.
Nystagmus, a condition characterised by involuntary, rhythmic, and repetitive eye movements, coloboma, where part of the eye structure is missing, giving her larger pupils, and convergent squints, where one eye usually turns inward.
Despite all this, the 18-year-old already holds multiple age-grade New Zealand records in all three disciplines, plus long jump for T13 Para women, and is targeting higher honours.
'My ultimate goal is to go to the 2028 Paralympics,' said Ellis.
'More short term, I would love to participate in the Ocean champs and possibly then the World Para Athletics Championships.'
Recently, in her first competition in Australia, Ellis set a new personal best of 29.30s in the 200m.
Like most kids, Ellis loves sport, and she initially played football for four years with able-bodied kids before it got too challenging.
Even at high school, there were difficulties with getting picked last for certain things because of her disability, but Ellis says simple changes like using a neon-yellow coloured football can make the world of difference.
But after being introduced to the Halberg Foundation, Ellis has seen the Games grow, and it has given her the chance to try new sports like crossfit, snag golf and swimming.
'They are so inclusive, and I feel like I can truly embrace my disability and be open to the struggles that I have and be happy to ask for help.
'The games means so much to me, and that I can just meet new people as well with the same visual impairments or things like that as well.'
Running has always been in Ellis' blood.
In her primary school years, she would always run around the streets of Taranaki and take part in cross country and athletics days and even went on to the regionals in those competitions.
But since focusing on sprints last year, Ellis says there was some adjustment, but she loves taking part.
'When I started with my coach, it was about giving them the knowledge of what I can see, what I can't see, and it's just a little adaptive stuff like putting a cone every 30 metres so I would know where to go.
'I initially started in lane one, so I would be able to see the difference between the grass and the track because I find it quite hard to see the white lines.'
Ellis is also part of the Halberg Youth Council, which enabled her to take part in February's Halberg Awards.
She was on stage alongside rowing great Rob Waddell to present Olympic gold medalist Hamish Kerr with his Sportsman of the Year award.
'I couldn't see Hamish coming towards me, and Rob was always whispering in my ear to say how far away he is.
'It was such a spectacular moment to be able to be like a visually impaired person can do this, that it's possible. It was so awesome to be able to be on live TV, present this award, and just have that moment of it was awesome.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Initiative ‘fantastic' chance to learn
John Marrable is always looking for ways to improve. The Dunedin para athlete recently wrapped up his time as part of the second intake for the para sport collective, a Paralympics New Zealand initiative to provide more support for athletes. The collective involved three in-person camps and monthly Zoom sessions over the past year, with topics including skills, nutrition, mental resilience, recovery and injuries. A range of sports, including shooting, taekwondo, equestrian, snowboarding and swimming were covered. Marrable was one of three table tennis players among the cohort, and each athlete worked through personalised performance programmes. "I'm grateful to Table Tennis New Zealand for putting my name forward to be part of the para sport collective and also the New Zealand coach John Tuki,"Marrable said. "They've been really good support." Marrable, who has been involved in para sport since an accident as a child left him in a wheelchair, relished being part of the collective and listening to Paralympians share their stories. "I've been involved in para sport almost ever since I had an accident, so a lot of it was great to get reinforced where I'm heading and then also up-skilled with a lot of the changes in dietary requirements or that type of thing." Programmes such as the para collective were important for all athletes but especially in para sport as there was the "added challenge of having your disability or impairment". Being able to bounce ideas off athletes who fundamentally understood what others went through, and had various different strategies for travelling with additional equipment or helping their bodies respond in different situations, was invaluable. "It was just fantastic meeting other like-minded people." Marrable is part of the New Zealand para table tennis development squad and hopes to be included in the Oceania championships in Auckland later this year. He is also a seventh dan in karate. "The two sports really go hand in hand, because through the karate you're doing your stretching, your aerobic work, plus reaction time. "Then of course with the table tennis I'm doing the ball skills and stretching." Marrable has tried his hand at countless sports through the years. He felt New Zealand had always had great representation at the Paralympics and world championships. But there had been great improvements across the board, and ParaFed Otago and the Halberg Foundation played a big role in helping get more youth involved. "As the sports improved, the athletes have had to improve and really it's people's attitude as well. "Not the athletes or the coaches... but sometimes people didn't really think that the paras were serious athletes. "I think sometimes that can affect the athlete and that's, again, knowing that the opportunities are there. "Any sport you can think of can be adapted." Dunedin was fortunate to have a good athletics programmes through Athletics New Zealand para lead Raylene Bates, and strong wheelchair rugby and table tennis programmes, he said.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Scoop
A Sporting Chance: NZCT Backs Special Olympics With $250,000 Grant
Press Release – NZCT The National Summer Games are more than just a sporting event theyre a celebration of ability, determination, and community. Grants like this wouldnt be possible without the responsible gaming partnerships we share with our local venues, says … New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded a grant of $250,000 to Special Olympics New Zealand to fund event costs for the National Summer Games (NSG)— making it possible for more athletes with an intellectual disability to take part in what is to be the largest-ever iteration of the NSG this December in Christchurch. Mark Davies, Special Olympics New Zealand's Finance and Funding Manager, says the funding comes at a crucial time. 'Special Olympics operates within a four-year cycle, the pinnacle event of which is our National Summer Games. This year, from 10-14 December, 1,400 athletes plus 450 coaches and support workers will arrive in Christchurch to participate in the Games. 'Our athletes spend years qualifying for these Games by attending local and regional events that test their capacity to travel, compete, and stay away from home independently. Over the past few years, our qualifying events have seen a significant increase in participation and we're on track for the largest National Summer Games in history. 'From the moment team members arrive in Christchurch, we take care of all their needs, including (but not limited to) transport, accommodation, health screenings, meals, and scheduling. A significant part of this generous grant from NZCT will be used for transporting our athletes from their accommodations to (and between) different events.' This year's Games will feature ten sports across seven venues, including athletics, swimming, football, basketball, golf, equestrian, indoor bowling, ten pin bowling, bocce, and power lifting. Over 700 volunteers will help make it all happen — from running events to ensuring medical support is on hand. Special Olympics requires a 1:4 coach-to-athlete ratio to ensure all athletes receive the right level of care and support. Athlete Leader Ryan says, 'I enjoy the National Summer Games because there isn't the same level of pressure that you get in mainstream sport. It's all about smiles and everyone having fun.' Fellow Athlete Leader Chrissa says, 'For the first time in my life, I realised that those with disabilities can still hold strong opinions and compete enthusiastically, just like everyone else.' Athlete Leader Shanae, adds'Because of the Special Olympics programme, I was able to participate in sports for the first time ever when I was fifteen years old.' NZCT's GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges, says, ''We're proud to support Special Olympics New Zealand in delivering such a meaningful and inclusive event. The National Summer Games are more than just a sporting event — they're a celebration of ability, determination, and community. Grants like this wouldn't be possible without the responsible gaming partnerships we share with our local venues.'
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Scoop
A Sporting Chance: NZCT Backs Special Olympics With $250,000 Grant
New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded a grant of $250,000 to Special Olympics New Zealand to fund event costs for the National Summer Games (NSG)— making it possible for more athletes with an intellectual disability to take part in what is to be the largest-ever iteration of the NSG this December in Christchurch. Mark Davies, Special Olympics New Zealand's Finance and Funding Manager, says the funding comes at a crucial time. 'Special Olympics operates within a four-year cycle, the pinnacle event of which is our National Summer Games. This year, from 10-14 December, 1,400 athletes plus 450 coaches and support workers will arrive in Christchurch to participate in the Games. 'Our athletes spend years qualifying for these Games by attending local and regional events that test their capacity to travel, compete, and stay away from home independently. Over the past few years, our qualifying events have seen a significant increase in participation and we're on track for the largest National Summer Games in history. 'From the moment team members arrive in Christchurch, we take care of all their needs, including (but not limited to) transport, accommodation, health screenings, meals, and scheduling. A significant part of this generous grant from NZCT will be used for transporting our athletes from their accommodations to (and between) different events." This year's Games will feature ten sports across seven venues, including athletics, swimming, football, basketball, golf, equestrian, indoor bowling, ten pin bowling, bocce, and power lifting. Over 700 volunteers will help make it all happen — from running events to ensuring medical support is on hand. Special Olympics requires a 1:4 coach-to-athlete ratio to ensure all athletes receive the right level of care and support. Athlete Leader Ryan says, 'I enjoy the National Summer Games because there isn't the same level of pressure that you get in mainstream sport. It's all about smiles and everyone having fun.' Fellow Athlete Leader Chrissa says, 'For the first time in my life, I realised that those with disabilities can still hold strong opinions and compete enthusiastically, just like everyone else.' Athlete Leader Shanae, adds 'Because of the Special Olympics programme, I was able to participate in sports for the first time ever when I was fifteen years old.' NZCT's GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges, says, ''We're proud to support Special Olympics New Zealand in delivering such a meaningful and inclusive event. The National Summer Games are more than just a sporting event — they're a celebration of ability, determination, and community. Grants like this wouldn't be possible without the responsible gaming partnerships we share with our local venues.'
