Kāpiti athletes off to the Special Olympics World Games.
The incredible power of determination and encouragement.
Special Olympics Kāpiti Athletes, Cole Bailey and Louis Edwards. Image credit: Kāpiti News
On the last Tuesday in May, family, friends and a group of excited Special Olympics athletes turned out to the Paraparaumu College Gym in rallying support for two new local heroes; Cole Bailey and Louis Edwards.
Just six months prior, the two young men had qualified for the World Games in Berlin after competing at the New Zealand National Games in Hamilton, and this evening marked their final practice before heading away as part of the 40-strong New Zealand athlete contingent.
“Knowing what Cole and Louis have achieved is really exciting to other athletes,” says Special Olympics Kāpiti Chair, Anne Cheetham, “It provides assurance that these things are possible, no matter your circumstances in life.”
The Special Olympics World Games, which will welcome over 7000 athletes from 170 countries from the 17th – 25th of June, not only provides an opportunity for top-level competition but also a chance to connect with other athletes. “For the majority of their lives, our athletes aren’t around people like them,” says Anne, “competitions like the National and Summer Games provide that chance to look around and feel a sense of belonging.”
Training for international success
Now aged 22 and 23, respectively, Cole and Louis have been involved in Special Olympics Kāpiti for many years, trying out several sports before finding a passion for football.
For both young men, (especially die-hard Arsenal fan, Louis) qualifying for the Games in Berlin means the world.
“Cole regularly says that qualifying is the best thing that has ever happened to him,” says Cole’s mother, Diana. “For Cole, football is not just a sport,” she says. “It gives him a real sense of achievement and identity - a real feeling of “I am someone.”
In preparation for the Games, both athletes have been travelling to Mana and the Hutt to play and take part in residential training weekend with their teammates. “Cole has been running every morning and three times a week you will find him down kicking a ball around at the school,” says Diana. “We keep on telling him it’s about the experience, but he is determined to win!” she laughs.
The power of encouragement
For both athletes, support from family, friends and the local community has played a huge part in their success.
“Encouragement is absolutely everything,” says Diana, “it could be someone ‘good job!’, or turning up to a game, or making a donation to our travel fundraising, every gesture makes Cole feel like he can do it.”
Community collaboration
Due to COVID-19-related delays, the World Games are taking place only six-months after the New Zealand Summer Games.
“We usually have at least 18-months between the two events,” says Anne, meaning that this year, the Club was under more time pressure to reach their $36,000 fundraising target to cover travel for the two athletes, volunteers and supporting medical personnel.
An example of the power of collaboration, the Club recently reached its target through donations from generous locals, fundraisers and grant funding, including a $10,000 grant from Nikau’s Kāpiti Disability Support Fund.
Donor Rod Lingard, who established the Fund with Nikau Foundation in late 2020, says “every young sportsperson dreams of representing their country and for Louis and Cole, this dream is about to come true. It is a privilege and a pleasure to assist them, and we wish them well in the forthcoming tournament.”
