Please help towards Zara attending the 2019 World Special Olympic Games as a Unified Player

Hi, I’m Zara Blake from the Hawkes Bay and I am honoured to have been chosen, as a Unified Soccer Player, to be part of the New Zealand Special Olympics team for the upcoming 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi.

As big sister to Zac, who has learning difficulties I have grown up with an empathy and understanding of children and adults with special needs. Our family love sport and Zac has always been a very keen and loud supporter of sport, any sport! Being associated with Special Olympics has allowed Zac the opportunity to participate socially, and even represent the Hawkes Bay at competitions and us as a family to be a part of his sporting experience. So far, he has loved being involved in Bocce and Football. And I have found the role of volunteering as a support person, coach, and unified player for several years with Special Olympics Hawkes Bay very rewarding and know it will be a lifelong association.

To have been chosen as a Unified Player, my role is that of an advocate and ambassador for Special Olympics, primarily promoting the importance of inclusion as well as being a voice for these special athletes, acknowledging their right to participate and get joy from sport like anyone else.

For almost 20 years, Special Olympics worldwide has offered sports teams that blend people with and without intellectual disabilities, and this is a model that encourages sports and fun, and which also gets people together to learn more about each other. Playing unified to me helps to break down stereotypes and means that people worldwide can take part in sport alongside each other. It is special to be able to help promote and advocate for these inspiring athletes, acknowledging their hard work and to be there on the playing field to see first hand their joy at participating. Special Olympics allows these athletes to follow their dreams, and like Zac compete and become part of an amazing team who unconditionally support one another.

Special Olympics relies heavily on Volunteers to coach, organise, support and play alongside the athletes. It is vitality important that Special Olympics is supported so people like Zac can participate with their friends, with and without intellectual disability, and ultimately have fun together through sport.

In addition to this Givealittle page, I will be fundraising hard to help cover the expenses for the trip.

Please support my inclusion in the NZ Special Olympics team by helping me get to the World Games in Abu Dhabi.

Thanks so much.

Zara