NZ Special Olympics prepare for Asia Pacific Games

The NZ Special Olympics, Asia Pacific Bocce Team - Tui Robinson, Keri-Anne Johnson, Tracey Tse and Rachel Kenny, overseen by Coach Lyn Ryan. Impressed by the inflatable bocce courts which are constantly being used.

The New Zealand Special Olympics - Asia Pacific Bocce Team have been hard at work, training for the inaugural Asia Pacific Games which are being held in Newcastle, NSW from 30 November to 7 December, 2013.

"The inflatable Bocce Courts have been a great hit with the team," said Margaret Baker, Special Olympics Hawke's Bay Sports Co-ordinator. "They are so much easier and lighter to install and pack up making transportation more practical, which also gives us the option of training indoors or out."

Special Olympics New Zealand will be sending a team of 22 athletes that will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, bowling and table tennis (the first time our athletes have competed internationally in this sport).

The Asia Pacific Special Olympic Games will see Australia welcome more than 2500 Special Olympics athletes, 600 coaches, 4,000 volunteers, and approximately 200,000 spectators from 25 nations across the Asia Pacific region.