Halberg Games' message stays strong as it returns another year

The 2025 Halberg Games are set to take place in Auckland later this month providing young athletes with disabilities a chance to showcase their talent.

The three-day national sport festival is open to athletes aged 8 to 21 with physical or visual impairments.

The Halberg adviser for Auckland and Counties Manukau, Joseph Tyrell, says the games offer athletes the opportunity to compete in an inclusive and safe environment.

“They feel safe competing against their peers, and from there go back to their schools and clubs with some confidence to give things a go.”

Public attitudes towards disability sports and the expectations athletes face are barriers that Halberg is working to overcome.

Tyrell says Halberg’s strategic plan includes increasing capacity for coaches in local clubs and schools in hopes this will lead to better quality opportunities for disabled athletes.

“Halberg look to provide inclusion trainings for coaches who aren’t familiar with the disability in sports space.”

Disability Sport Auckland (DSA) also hope to see adaptive sports continue to grow in the region.

Acting CEO of DSA, Natasha Barber, talks about how local sport organisations and schools can better integrate inclusive sport into their programmes.

"Schools and local clubs should collaborate with disability sport organisations such as DSA to create clear pathways for athletes.”

Barber says DSA support disabled athletes with their long-term development in hopes of creating pathways from events like the Halberg Games to higher levels of competition.

“We also host regular training sessions and competitive events across a variety of sports beyond the Games, offering athletes the chance to refine their skills and stay engaged year-round.”

The Games will run from April 24 to April 26 at King’s College in Auckland and will host over 20 sports events, family festival activities, education workshops, and sport clinics.

For more information on how to attend or volunteer, visit their website here.