Amy is a 20-year-old student from the Waikato. Amy has short stature and is currently in her last year of studying a degree in Occupational Therapy through Otago Polytechnic and Wintec. The Parafed Waikato board member is a keen athlete, competing in wheelchair rugby and athletics. Amy became involved with the Halberg Foundation in 2017 after attending Outward Bound, later that year she participated in the Halberg Games and since then has been a regular at Halberg events both as a participant and as a volunteer. Amy wants to encourage anyone with a disability to take on any opportunities as it can lead to an exciting pathway in life.

Anton is a 20-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 and cross country along with social football and cycling. 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, as 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.

Cassidy is an 18-year-old uni student from West Auckland. She 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 the University of Otago, she is currently majoring in Psychology with minors in both Sports Development and Management, and Criminology. Cassidy hopes to one day be a sport psychologist or even work for the Halberg Foundation. Outside of school, she participated in a range of sports including waka ama, netball, swimming and boxing, however she now works with an adaptive personal trainer that provides the benefits of CrossFit and works around her disability. Cassidy connected with Halberg 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 significant role in changing attitudes towards people with disabilities, and that sport and recreation is the perfect stage to put aside differences and learn how to respect each other regardless of ability.

Guy is an 18-year-old from the Hawke’s Bay with cerebral palsy and is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise at Eastern Institute of Technology. The keen athlete has represented his region and New Zealand in both athletics and golf. Guy has been heavily involved with Halberg over the years, supporting local events throughout his region. At the 2019 Halberg Games, Guy was the team leader for the Hawke’s Bay region and won the Sir Murray Halberg Cup for the Most Outstanding Athlete of the Halberg Games. Guy is passionate about inclusion and believes that sport and recreation plays a vital role in everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing, regardless of ability.

Jake is a passionate, young equestrian from New Plymouth. The 18-year-old Inglewood High School student has a long history with the Halberg Foundation, having attended numerous regional events and Halberg Games over the years. His passion for equestrian has helped him earn Equine Level 2 for NCEA and one of his goals in life is to inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

Sam is a 21-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 ten years and loves to spend time around the sea, being an avid boatie and fisherman. Outside of sport Sam has achieved various academic awards and is heavily involved in singing, winning multiple national and international honours with choir groups.

Siobhan is a talented young leader and exceptional role model in her community. The 19-year-old is from Rotorua and is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at Toi Ohomai Tech. With a background in running and swimming, Siobhan has competed at a national level in Para swimming and has attended the Halberg Games three times, both as an athlete and a team manager. Siobhan is passionate about making a positive impact on the children of tomorrow and also the adults who need some encouragement and a fresh perspective!

is a inaugural member of the Halberg Youth Council who is studying towards a double degree in both Law and Māori, and indigenous studies in which he is in his first year. The 19-year-old is passionate about all things Kaupapa Māori and looks to represent this in his work on the Youth Council.Most important, however, is that Thomas is always looking to grow 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."

TP is 18-years-old and from Wellington. TP has a vision impairment and is currently studying Quantity Surveying and Engineering at Weltec TP has a range of accolades under his young belt including being a Wellington College Prefect in 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 was an inaugural member of the Halberg Youth Council, he grew up in Hamilton and recently graduated from the University of Otago with degree in Sport Development and Management. The 23-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, a 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 is an inaugural member of the Halberg Youth Council. She is 23 years old and is living in Dunedin, studying a BSc in genetics. Originally a competitive swimmer from Christchurch, she now is on the board of Thursdays in Black Otago, a social movement with the vision of a world without sexual violence. She also volunteers with Dunedin Pride at events for the LGBT+ community, is a foster parent for Dog Rescue Dunedin, and is the medical liaison and southern delegate for Little People of New Zealand. Her personal highlight of her time on the youth council was attending two meetings held by the Ministry of Education reviewing the NCEA system, having input and eventually making a formal report with other Youth Councillors on how it can be changed to be more accessible for people with disabilities. In her free time, she is usually at the beach or with her nose in a book.

Kiran is a founding member of the Halberg youth council, Kiran spent his time with the council endeavouring to see equal sporting, recreational, and educational opportunities for physically disabled young people. He has shared his ideas and experience at both a national and local level, but it is at the local level where he has the privilege of teaching the next generation of sport leaders how to be inclusive. His journey, starting in the arts and continuing in both the arts and sport, led him to complete a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications with minors in History and Music Technology from the University of Otago. He currently works part time as an Adviser Assistant for the Halberg Foundation, but has the future goal of working in the live production industry either as a technician, designer, or in an operational role where he can help to make live events more inclusive.<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."

is an inaugural member of the Halberg Youth Council, she is 21-years-old and has graduated from Otago Polytechnic with a degree in Occupational Therapy and is now working in the Health Sector. 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.