Harrison set to compete at Halberg

Harrison Stratford from Paraparaumu is competing at the Halberg Games held at King’s College in Auckland this weekend.

The Halberg Games is a national, three-day sports competition for physically disabled and visually impaired 8 to 21-year-olds.

With 150 athletes expected to compete in 12 regional teams across 17 different sports including swimming, wheelchair basketball, blind cricket, blind and wheelchair rugby and athletics, 9-year-old Harrison will have his work cut out for him.

Harrison, who has hemiplegia of the right side, will be competing at the games for the first time this year, taking part in athletics and swimming events.

The event gives athletes the opportunity to try new sports, meet other people from around the country, compete at a national level and provides a pathway for participants to pursue further sporting goals. Not taking it lightly, Harrison has been getting up early on weekends for Parafed Wellington training sessions in the lead up to the games.

Competing as part of Team Wellington, Harrison also been scootering to and from school to keep fit, and swimming three times a week.

Harrison is excited to attend the games for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to doing shotput, seeing how far I can throw, and meeting new people,” he said.

Harrison Stratford.

‘I’m looking forward to doing shotput, seeing how far I can throw, and meeting new ’ people. Harrison Stratford