Youth Council

Zack Lappin

I’m a young athlete from rural North Canterbury and a member of the Youth Council. I’m passionate about making sport and active spaces more inclusive for young people, particularly disabled rangatahi. Growing up, I saw how easily young people can be left out of sport when systems aren’t designed with inclusion in mind, and that experience has strongly shaped my values.

Through my involvement on the Youth Council, I focus on breaking down barriers to participation and using youth voice to help create spaces where everyone feels they belong. I believe sport should build confidence, connection, and community, and that this is only possible when inclusion is built in from the start.

Natalie Johnston

Hello, I am Natalie and I am from Taranaki. What I want to get out of Halberg is to have some more leadership skills and bring equestrian horse riding experience into the Halberg sport side of things.

Ben Muir

I’m Ben, based in Southland and currently in Year 13 at school. I’ve grown up around sport my whole life, particularly rugby, and this ultimately hooked me with Halberg as it made me realise the contrasting perspective we’re faced with. Therefore, I believe I’m passionate about inclusion, especially in team sports. When you get to have fun with your mates, no matter the ability.

Liam Melvin

Kia ora, my name is Liam. My passion for Halberg started young, when I attended the 2014 Junior Disability Games, and has blossomed into helping others to have the same experience too. My sport focus is on discus and club throw, but I also bring a governance role too.

Amy Ellis

Brooke Anderson

Brooke Anderson is from Southland and has been a member of the Youth Council since 2023.

Jaden Movold

Jaden Movold is a wheelchair racer from Auckland, competing nationally and internationally across events from 100m through to 5000m. He has been involved with Halberg since the age of five, with early experiences that sparked his passion for sport and recreation. As a member of the Halberg Youth Council, Jaden is driven to break down barriers and create more inclusive pathways into sport and recreation for young people with disabilities. Alongside his athletic career, he is also a university student and disability advocate. Jaden brings both lived experience and a strong sense of purpose to his role, using his voice to help shape environments where everyone feels they belong and has the chance to explore their potential.

Liv Fountain

Hi, my name is Liv. I’m 20 years old and originally from Hawke’s Bay, currently studying in Waikato towards a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Social Policy and Psychology. I’m passionate about disability advocacy and ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate.

The In my spare time, I enjoy swimming and going to the gym. I’ve been involved with Halberg since I was eight years old, and it has played an important role in shaping my journey and passion for inclusion.

Rorie Poff

My Name is Rorie Poff, and I am from Dunedin and have been on the youth council for 3 and a half years. Throughout my time, I have been privileged to be part of numerous projects that are aimed at improving the lives of disabled people around NZ. My favourite one was assisting in writing a letter to the Minister of Sport regarding the accessibility and inclusion of the NCEA PE curriculum. What I enjoy about being part of Halberg is the sense of community and belonging. My voice is always heard, and as a senior member, people look at me for advice and support. Servicing the disabled people in NZ is really fulfilling, and the sense of joy is paramount. 

Thomas Szabo

Hi, my names Thomas I’m an 18 year old member of the Halberg Youth Council based in the Waikato, passionate about creating more inclusive opportunities for young people with disabilities. Living with cerebral palsy has shaped my perspective and drives me to advocate for better access, representation, and participation in sport and everyday life. I’m A para cyclist who believes being active is so important for people living with a disability, Cycling has played a big role in my confidence, independence, and love for sport.  I’m also interested in leadership and teamwork, making sure young voices are heard and valued. Through the Youth Council, I’m excited to connect with others, share ideas, and help make a positive impact in my community.

Sionann Murphy

Hi everyone, I’m Sionann Murphy though many of you know me as Shaz or Shazza! I attended my first Halberg Games at 9, and it changed my life. Before that, there was no para division in junior athletics, and I always raced against able-bodied kids coming last, feeling judged, and left out. But at Halberg, for the first time, I belonged. It was the most inclusive environment I’d ever known no one stood out as different; we were all part of one community. After that, I came back every year, driven by the belief that more kids like me needed a space. I pushed to open doors in the junior athletics ranks so that para-athletes could compete from a young age, just like everyone else. That passion kept growing, and today, I proudly compete in shot put and discus.

Halberg gave me the confidence to keep going, and in return, I want to give back. That’s why I joined the Youth Council. Not just to thank Halberg, but to ensure every young person has a voice. Growing up, I saw so many kids left out of PE, just because no one adapted it. I joined the Youth Council to make change so that every parent, coach, and teacher knows how to include every child so no one has to sit on the sidelines. Halberg didn’t just give me a sport; it gave me a family, a home in athletics, and I’m here to make sure every child has that chance too.

Toby Ireland

Kia ora my name is Toby Ireland and I am a student from Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) who has been on the Youth Council since 2025. From a young age, I had a love of sport and recreation, participating in cross country, gymnastics, rock climbing, swimming, sailing, triathlon, athletics and most recently,  rowing. I hold a number of NZ age-grade running and world indoor rowing records.  While I love competing, I am also passionate about access to recreation for everyone. Over the last 18 years, I have bungee jumped, tramped, abseiled, skydived, rafted, zip lined, jumped off numerous high bridges and cliffs, gone on Outward Bound and was lucky enough to get a scholarship to NASA to participate in astronaut training at space camp. I am legally blind and use the platform the Youth Council provides to try and help make access to sport and recreation easier, sustainable and more accessible for those who follow. My hope is that one day soon, access and inclusion will have improved so much that we will not need the Youth Council.

Una Kinajil-Reding

Una is a highly motivated Cantabrian. Within their school environment they are involved in several leadership roles including athletics and technology.

Outside of school, Una is involved in athletics, primarily shot put and javelin.