Tristan-Perry (TP) Moananu is 17 years old and from Wellington. TP has a vision impairment and currently attends Wellington College. TP has a range of accolades under his young belt including being a Wellington College Prefect 2019, Wellington College 2nd IV Rugby Team, Senior leader of Wellington College Poly group, Pasifika senior leader, Wellington College U14 Rugby Vice Captain, the Wellington College 3rd IV Vice Captain, Youth leader for Arthritis NZ and Youth leader at his church.

Jacob Phillips grew up in Hamilton and is currently studying at the University of Otago. The 22 year old has cerebral palsy and represented New Zealand in Para-Athletics at the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games in the Men’s T35 100m and 200m events. Jacob has been a Youth Ambassador for Parafed Waikato, team support member for the Waikato team at the 2016 Halberg Junior Disability Games which he has also competed in previous years.<br/><br/>“Inclusion to me is everyone being given the same opportunities and respect despite the differences they may have. Inclusion is important, especially when considering disabled individuals as quite often people make assumptions about disabled people’s abilities and can exclude them from activities based on the idea that they cannot do the activity.”

Jacquie Ruth is from Christchurch and the 21 year old is studying for a BSc majoring in genetics at the University of Otago. Jacquie has achondroplastic dwarfism and is a keen swimmer who was identified by Paralympics New Zealand and introduced into their development programmes. She has also competed at an international meet in Australia. Jacquie volunteers at her local swim club and has promoted the inclusion of para-swimmers at swimming events in Canterbury.

Kiran Dixon is a 22 year old who has Metatrophic Dysplasia. He recently graduated with a bachelor of arts majoring in Communications, minoring in History and Music Technology. He has been a member of the Halberg Youth Council since its inception in 2017. Kiran loves travelling and enjoys participating in Cycling, Walking, and Basketball. He has led small teams, been a peer mentor, a high school prefect, and is very involved with live productions. One of the highlights from his time with the Youth Council is having the opportunity to teach the next generation about inclusion and having the privilege to represent physically disabled young people. <br/><br/>"Inclusion is so important to improve the lives of people. Just being included in a sporting group can do wonders for someone with a disability, knowing that they are accepted and wanted improves quality of life. As well as this, it helps get people with disabilities to be more active and more involved in their communities, making friends and enjoying life."

Samuel Morgan is a 20-year-old student from North Shore, Auckland, currently studying for a conjoint degree in engineering and commerce. Samuel has cerebral palsy and attended Rangitoto College where he was a Prefect. He has been swimming for over 10 years and outside of sport is quite academic achieving various academic awards and being heavily involved in singing, winning various national and international honours with choir groups.

Guy Harrison is a 17-year-old high school student from Hawkes Bay. Guy has Cerebral Palsy and attends Napier Boys High School where he is a Prefect and Captain of the school’s Golf team. Outside of school, he is a keen athlete, having represented his school, region, and country in both athletics and badminton, Guy has also represented his school and club in golf. Over the years Guy has been heavily involved with the Foundation, attending and supporting events where he can including the Halberg Games where, in 2017, he was the captain of Team Hawkes Bay. Guy is passionate about inclusion and believes that sport and recreation play a vital role in everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing regardless of ability.

Thomas is studying towards a double degree in both law and Māori and indigenous studies in which he is in his first year. Thomas has had the privilege of being part of the Halberg Youth Council since its creation in 2017. Thomas is passionate about all things kaupapa Māori and looks to actively represent this in his work on the youth council. Most important, however, Thomas is always looking to grow his understanding and start positive conversations around disability sport, inclusiveness and the empowerment of rangatahi across Aotearoa regardless of the possible challenges that one may face.”<br/><br/>"To me, inclusion means giving everyone equal opportunity to succeed in all aspects of life, As well as the concept of whakawhanaungatanga, establishing relationships, and relating well to others. It is important because acceptance is a fundamental part of a positive society. If we want to progress as a society and as people we must first learn the importance of inclusion."

Cassidy Hogg is a 16-year-old high school student from West Auckland. Cassidy has partial paralysis in her quadriceps from nerve damage that was caused by the complications of a surgery she had to correct her Scoliosis. At her school Parnell College, Cassidy is a Prefect and stage manager for the school’s performing arts showcase. Outside of school she participates in a range of different sports l including waka ama, netball, swimming, and boxing. Cassidy connected with the Halberg Foundation in 2018 which resulted in her attending the Halberg Games and going on the 2019 Spirit of Adventure Inspiration Voyage. Cassidy believes education plays a big role in changing attitudes towards people with disabilities, and that sport and recreation is the perfect stage to put aside differences and to learn how to respect each other regardless of ability.

Victoria Baldwin is 20-years-old and is currently in her third year is studying Occupational Therapy at Otago Polytechnic. Victoria has cerebral palsy and enjoys playing wheelchair rugby and a bit of social swimming. Victoria finished at Southland Girls’ High School in 2016 where she was the cycling captain and school executive, she is also currently a student ambassador for Otago Polytechnic.

Anton Besseling is an 18-year-old student from Taranaki. Anton has Holt-Oram Syndrome which affects the bones in his arms and he is currently studying at Massey University in Palmerston North. Outside of university, Anton is a keen athlete, competing in athletics, ultimate Frisbee, cross country and social football. He also enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and playing all sorts of games with his youth group. Over the years Anton has attended several Halberg Games and remains very active in supporting events for Halberg and his local Parafed. Anton would like to see a better future for young people with disabilities, he has seen first-hand the positive impact that sport and recreation can have, and he is passionate about pursuing opportunities to break down those barriers for other young people with disabilities to become active.

Amy Dunn is a 19-year-old student from the Waikato. Amy has short stature and is currently studying through Otago Polytechnic and Wintec. The Parafed Waikato board member is a keen athlete, competing in wheelchair rugby and athletics, recently she was selected to represent New Zealand at the World Para athletics World Championships being held later this year. Amy became involved with the Halberg Foundation in 2017 after attending Outward Bound, later that year she attended the Halberg Games and since then has been a regular at Halberg events both as a participant and as a volunteer. Amy believes that the only disability in life is a bad attitude and, that when it comes to disability and sport the focus should never be on what someone can’t do, but always on what they can do.