Special Olympics Marks 200 Day Countdown To National Summer Games

Scoop

23-05-2025

Special Olympics New Zealand tomorrow, May 24, will mark the 200-day-to-go milestone counting down to the National Summer Games in Christchurch.
The National Summer Games, on December 10-14, are the four-yearly pinnacle event for athletes with an intellectual disability with over 1300 athletes and thousands of support crew and family expected to flood the city's new sports facilities.
Special Olympics Chief Executive Fran Scholey says that the city is working hard to prepare the facilities and her team are ramping up their recruitment drive for the 700 volunteers required to enable the athletes to compete.
'This is the largest inclusive event in the country and can only happen with the support of our wonderful volunteers,' says Scholey, who adds that the event will need volunteers to look after a variety of roles from transport, accommodation, competition, media and the Healthy Athletes Programme.
Scholey is grateful Freemasons New Zealand have again come on board as the Premier Partner for the event and many of its members will again step up in volunteering roles.
'Freemasons New Zealand and the Freemasons Charity are proud to be premier sponsor of the Special Olympics NZ 2025 National Summer Games and Volunteer Programme — a celebration of inclusion, dedication, and community spirit. Our shared values make this partnership truly 'special',' says Chris Thorndcroft - District Grand Master for the Canterbury District.
Scholey is heartened by the fact that many corporate businesses are encouraging their staff to use their corporate volunteering days to support the National Summer Games, with Westpac New Zealand one of the first to put their hands up to support the event.
Westpac Canterbury Regional Board Chair Leah McIvor says the National Summer Games are a brilliant event and the team is thrilled to help it come to life.
'At Westpac, all staff get two Volunteer Days each year so we thought the Special Olympics would be a great way to use them as a team. It's a great way to support the community, support the athletes, and a great bonding experience for all of us. We can't wait,' says McIvor.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is super excited to be welcoming the National Summer Games to his city and the fact that Special Olympics athletes will be enjoying some of the new sports facilities that were built after the 2011 earthquakes.
'I can't wait to get along to some of the events and to show what an amazing host city we are. It's been 20 years since we last hosted this event and I'm sure everyone involved will do a wonderful job,' the Mayor says.
Fiona Sawers is the Volunteer Manager for Special Olympics New Zealand, responsible for recruiting, training and overseeing the 700-plus volunteers before and during the event, and says the National Summer Games is an incredibly special event to be a part of.
'Volunteers generously offering their time and energy to help with the running of this event enables our athletes to be supported, so they can feel safe, welcome and able to deliver the best performance of their lives.'
Sawers says the athletes have trained very hard for four years for their competition, but coming to an unfamiliar environment can create challenges for the athletes.
'We need local volunteers to help ensure they have a wonderful experience competing, having fun and making new friends.'