02 June 2020
The Halberg Games is a highlight on the calendar of the athletes and families who attend. Halberg is proud to host an event that provides competition, camaraderie and sporting pathways, coupled with opportunities to connect with other people with similar impairments, in a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.
As the world around us has changed over the past two months, we have seen the significant impacts Covid-19 has had on whānau, sports organisations and events.
After careful consideration, the Halberg Foundation has made the decision to push the October 2020 Halberg Games out by six months to give the athletes, supporters, sports organisations and Parafeds more time to prepare, fundraise and train for the event. The Games will now take place during the first term school holidays of 2021, from 23-25 April.
The extra time is to create more certainty around where New Zealand will be with Covid-19 and also to give athletes and their whānau plenty of time to adjust their plans.
The decision to move the event out has been made in consultation with the Halberg Games Focus Group, consisting of: Parafeds, NDSOs, Paralympics NZ and Youth Council members, who are all fundamental to the Games.
We have previously hosted the event in April (as recently as 2017) so are confident with this new date. The event will follow a similar format as previous years to ensure all participants receive the same positive, enjoyable Halberg Games experience that enriches their passion for sports.
The health and safety of all Halberg Games participants will continue to be of the utmost importance and we will be taking guidance from the Ministry of Health and Sport New Zealand on the event to ensure the wellbeing of all.