Alice spreads Special Olympics message
A Nelson athlete is preparing to take on a new challenge as part of a group of ambassadors for Special Olympics New Zealand.
Alice Robb is one of six people chosen to take part in the movement’s Global Messenger training programme this year.
The goal of the programme is to equip athletes with the skills to take up the role of ambassador for the organisation within their communities around the country.
The class of 2018 started their leadership training on February 14 in Wellington.
Following the training Alice will join more than 70 Global Messengers who promote Special Olympics in New Zealand and support and inspire other athletes.
Robb competes in swimming has been involved with Special Olympics for about 11 years.
She said she was looking forward to learning new skills, meeting other athletes and flying on my own to the workshops.
‘‘Special Olympics keeps me fit and I have made lots of friends – it has taught me that my decisions are important and other people will listen to me and talk about them.’’
She represented her club at the Trans-Tasman Games in Hamilton in 2016 where she won a gold medal, and has also been to two National Summer Games.
Already a member of Special Olympics Nelson’s athletes’ committee and a spokesperson for the swimming athletes, Alice has ambitions of being recognised as a spokesperson for Special Olympics, being on a national committee and one day being on an Asian-Pacific Committee.
Alice also enjoys going to the gym, spending time with friends and family, and working at WINZ as a support officer. She is also dedicated to her volunteer work including at the Dress Up Box cos- tume hire store in Nelson.
Regional team leader for Special Olympics New Zealand Julia Sanson said being selected to become a Global Messenger was a major achievement and an amazing opportunity.
‘‘Not only will they learn new and valuable leadership skills that will help them in their lives and careers, but they will also become the face of Special Olympics in their communities.
‘‘As an athlete driven organisation it is important that our athletes have a voice in raising awareness and breaking down barriers which they and their peers often experience. They share their experiences and achievements gained through Special Olympics as a very strong and powerful voice of awareness and change.’’
Special Olympics New Zealand partners with The Training Practice and Attitude Pictures to deliver the four-workshop programme, with workshops in May, August and October.