Helping people with a disability to access sport and physical activity.

Approximately 15% of the population have some form of disability which in the past has limited their access to sport and recreation programmes and facilities. The Halberg Sport Opportunity programme aims to ensure that people with a disability receive equal opportunities to participate, enjoy, and achieve in their choice of sport or active leisure activity. 

The Halberg Sport Opportunity Advisor at Sport Otago can assist teachers, parents, and other exercise leaders with ideas for inclusion and integration, help identify activities which are suitable for all abilities, and provide funding advice to help children with a disability to access a range of sport and physical activity options.

To contact our Sport Opportunity Advisor click here.

Programme Mission

The role of the Halberg Sport Opportunity programme is to support people with physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities and is focused on the following key areas:

1. Regional Sports Trusts
Providing support to ensure that RST programmes have inclusive philosophies.

2. Schools
Working in conjunction with teachers and other staff to ensure that all children with a disability are included in school physical education and sport and assisting schools to provide inter- and intra-school events for children with a disability.

3. Community
Providing opportunities and support for people with a disability to enable them to become involved in community based sport and active leisure, and working with individuals on a one to one basis to develop a sporting pathway.

The Halberg Trust Activity Fund

The Halberg Trust Activity Fund assists young people with a disability to access sport and active leisure.

The fund targets young people under the age of 20, and aims to cover some of the additional costs associated with getting active which are a direct result of an individual having a disability.  It assists with the costs of equipment and expenses that will enable a young person with a disability to participate with their peers, and develop a pathway through sport.  However, costs that any child or family would have to cover, and activities that occur in a segregated environment, are not eligible for funding.

Examples of the types of activities and equipment that have been funded by the Halberg Trust include:

• Swimming lessons
• Specialised cycle helmets
• Golf lessons
• Gym instruction
• Tricycles and custom-made bikes

For further information about the Activity Fund, including the application process and criteria click here

Halberg Trust Links and Contacts

The following websites and organisations may be useful for issues relating to physical activity and sport for people with a disability.

The Halberg Trust
PO Box 11-487
Ellerslie, Auckland.
Ph: 09 579 9931
Fax: 09 579 9936
www.halberg.co.nz

Paralympics New Zealand
PO Box 99-178
Newmarket, Auckland
Ph: 09 522 4600
Fax: 09 522 4602
www.paralympicsnz.org.nz

Special Olympics NZ
PO Box 38344
Wellington Mail Centre 5045
Ph: 04 560 0360
Fax: 04 560 0400
www.specialolympics.org.nz

NZ CCS Otago Office
PO Box 6174
Dunedin
Ph: 03 477 4117
Fax: 03 477 4397
www.ccs.org.nz

Blind Sport NZ
PO Box 99802
Newmarket, Auckland
Ph: 09 275 1635
Fax: 09 275 6907
www.blindsport.org.nz