Junior Disability Games: Opportunity knocks

Mia O'Keefe (20), of Dunedin, and Jack Hurst (19), of Invercargill, pictured at the Sargood Centre in Dunedin last night, are among a total of 14 parafed athletes from the southern region who will journey to Cambridge for the Junior Disability Games, which start this afternoon.

The games are organised by the Halberg Disabled Sports Foundation and involve parafed athletes from around the country competing over three days at various events.

Otago team manager Kieran Wall said it was a chance for the competitors to take part in various sports and also compete against athletes with similar levels of impediments.

Parafed NZ development managers would also be there to pick out athletes with potential so there was plenty of motivation to do well.

Holly Robinson, who had set national records in parafed athletics, was mentoring some of the members of the team.

All members of the team had to be aged under 21 with Otago's youngest athlete a 12 year old.

Sports on offer include wheelchair basketball, boccia, athletics, blind cricket and swimming.