As the Halberg Games continues celebrating a decade of inclusive sport, we spotlight Harrison, Club Support Team Lead at Northern Region Football (NRF), who has played a key role in delivering football at the Games in recent years.
Harrison’s connection to the Halberg Games began during his time as an Area Manager at NRF. He was involved with the Papatoetoe United AFC Adaptive Football Programme, a long-standing initiative that began in 2015. Through this work, Harrison connected with Joseph Dan-Tyrell, who invited NRF to be part of the 2023 Halberg Games by delivering football sessions.
His first experience at the Games in 2023 is one he remembers fondly. Two NRF staff members attended, and the session was supported by coaches from West Coast Rangers FC alongside Joseph. The session followed the McDonald’s Junior Framework, running for two hours with participants rotating through four different activity stations. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the smiles on everyones faces told the story of a successful day.
Since then, football at the Halberg Games has continued to grow. Following successful delivery in both 2023 and 2024, the structure of the sessions has become more refined thanks to the support and education provided by Halberg. In 2024, delivery shifted to being led by club coaches with Eastern Suburbs AFC and West Coast Rangers FC running an energetic and engaging two-hour session.
Among many memorable moments, one image from the 2024 Games stands out for Harrison (see image below), a powerful reminder of the impact of sport and the importance of support networks. For him, it captures the essence of why these events matter.
Through this ongoing involvement with the Halberg Games and the wider Halberg Foundation, Harrison has gained valuable insights that have shaped both his professional and personal life. He’s more connected to the Diversity & Inclusion landscape, more confident in his coaching, and more aware of the power of community. Halberg’s support and education have played a key role in developing his relationships across the D&I network.
Being part of the Halberg Games holds special meaning for Harrison. For the past two years, both NRF staff and club coaches who have attended have walked away inspired. The energy, connection, and genuine joy shared during the Games make it a truly unique experience. There’s a collective sense that, no matter how big or small, everyone is making a difference.
Looking to the future, Harrison dreams of a Football Festival as part of the Halberg Games – a gathering of clubs from across Auckland and Northland, each with their own Adapted Football Programmes. Participants would wear their club colours with pride, and the event would be full of energy, colour, and community spirit.
For anyone considering getting involved in the Games, Harrison encourages it wholeheartedly. Many volunteers started by simply checking it out and are still involved years later. It’s a chance to connect with others, try something new, and do something meaningful.
To Harrison, the Halberg Games can be summed up in three words: empowering, celebratory, and transformative. And when it comes to goal celebrations, his favourite remains a classic – the robot dance. It’s a fan favourite among participants and a joyful symbol of the fun and freedom that the Games bring.
