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ParaFed Canty sending top team of youngsters to disabled games

Ethan Tuhua Berryman
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ParaFed's 2017 Junior team to compete at the Halberg Junior Games  ParaFed, Canterbury

Eighteen of Canterbury's best young disabled athletes are raising money to compete at the Halberg Junior games in Auckland.

The games from October 6-8 allow competitors to go up against other young people with similar disbilities and sporting goals.

The Halberg games were founded in 1963 by Sir Murray Halberg, an Olympian who won Gold at the Rome Olympics in 1960. He dedicated his career to the welfare of young disabled people. 

ParaFed Canterbury sports manager Hadleigh Pierson said the games were a great opportunity for young disabled people to compete and meet other athletes.

Pierson, a former Paralympian swimmer, represented New Zealand in the Sydney Paralympic games in 2000 and the Athens Paralympic games in 2004.

He said ParaFed was excited about this year's competition as the club was growing in strength and numbers. 

"The whole team is full of stars, our team is full of really exciting athletes.''

Athletes will compete in a range of sports including athletics, swimming, boccia and triathlon.

Hadleigh said ParaFed Canterbury was celebrating its 50th anniversary and wanted to win medals at the games. 

The club focuses on people with physical or visual impairments and helps them reach their full sporting potential.

The club have been sending junior teams to the Halberg Games for the past three years, receiving a total of 11 awards in 2016, including the Best Team Spirit award. 

The club set up a Give A Little page to help raise money for their flights, accommodation, equipment and sports uniforms. With a goal of $7500.

The ParaFed club will celebrate its anniversary with a "grand awards evening and dinner" in November.

Help ParaFed through Give A Little.

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ParaFed's 2017 Junior team to compete at the Halberg Junior Games ParaFed, Canterbury