Brooke Anderson is from Southland and is a co-opted member to the Youth Council until May when recruitment will get underway for 2023 and beyond. <br/><br/>Brooke has been involved with the Youth Council via the Regional Leadership Programme over the past year and also supported her Southland Team at this years Halberg Games South event.

Hi my name is Dylan I’m 18 years old from Dunedin I’m a first year studying currently studying at the Otago polytechnic studying communication design my sporting passion is wheelchair rugby I currently play for the Otago Wheel Landers and have aspirations to play for New Zealand one day

Guy is a 20-year-old from Hawke’s Bay palsy and is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise at Eastern Institute of Technology. The keen athlete has represented his region and New Zealand in both athletics and golf.<br/>Guy has cerebral palsy and has been heavily involved with Halberg over the years, supporting local events throughout his region. At the 2019 Halberg Games, Guy was the team leader for the Hawke’s Bay region and won the Sir Murray Halberg Cup for the Most Outstanding Athlete of the Halberg Games. Guy is passionate about inclusion and believes that sport and recreation play a vital role in everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing, regardless of ability.

Jaden is an 18-year-old university student with a real passion for sport. The Auckland local has been involved in multiple sports including swimming, wheelchair basketball, skiing, table tennis, surfing, athletics, wheelchair tennis, gymnastics, triathlon, and wheelchair turbo touch.<br/><br/>Jaden has Spina Bifida and has represented his former high school, and his club and region at a variety of local, regional and national competitions in swimming, triathlons and athletics. Wheelchair Racing is now his focus where he competes in all distances from the 100m to the half marathon. He is a current NZ age group record holder in 5 events and has won multiple times at regional and national meets over the past 3 years. 2022 was his first year of international competition and he is aiming to increase his international experience over the next few years in Australia, USA and Europe. His ultimate aim is to represent NZ at the Paralympics.<br/><br/>Being involved with the Halberg Foundation since he was five, Jaden says he truly understands the barriers and challenges young disabled Kiwis face as well as the huge benefits sports provides if they are given the opportunity. His involvement on several national committees in addition to the Halberg Council speaks of an individual who is not afraid to stand up for what’s right and be the voice of young physically disabled New Zealanders in living their best life possible.

Jake has a passion for all sports and is from New Plymouth. The 20-year-old has a long history with the Halberg Foundation, having attended numerous regional events and Halberg Games over the years. <br/><br/>The sports Jake is most passionate about are crossfit, biking both road and mountain, wheelchair basketball, surfing, body balance/yoga and equestrian. Now that he has achieved his equine qualification, he now volunteers at the local Riding for the Disabled.<br/><br/>Jake has set the challenge to cycle the cycle trails throughout New Zealand. He also is training towards competing in a crossfit competition and would like to get more involved in weightlifting and wheelchair rugby<br/><br/>One of his goals in life is to inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

Keegan is a Year 12 student from Southland and an active Table Tennis player.<br/><br/>Through his role in the Youth Council, he hopes to be a positive role model for younger athletes on and off the field. <br/><br/>Keegan wants to spread the Halberg word and help grow participation at the Halberg Games and other sport and recreation opportunities where possible.

Liv wants to be on the Youth Council to make a positive impact on the disabled community and encourage others to participate in sport and recreation. <br/><br/>The year 13 student is Head of Peer Support at her school. Through this she is able to build strong connections with her school peers. <br/><br/>Her other school involvement sees her as a Communications and Marketing Director for Pūkare Cards, which was done through the Young Enterprise Scheme. These cards promote discussions and build confidence around feelings.

Pieta is a 21-year-old Auckland University student who attended her first Halberg Games in 2021 and felt empowered to see the massive support for physically disabled athletes in the community that is created within sports and recreation. Pieta acquired a spinal cord injury in 2019 and wants to enable more young people with disabilities to have great sport opportunities as she has.<br/><br/>“There is so much to gain from sports; empowerment, community, confidence, value, health, and joy,” says Pieta.<br/><br/>Hailing from the Waikato, Pieta plays for the Wheelbreakers Development Basketball team and also enjoys Para cycling. She says she loves the challenges of sport and exercise, being outdoors, keeping fit, learning new skills, and meeting new people.

Rorie is 18-years-old from Canterbury and is studying towards nursing. <br/><br/>He is heavily involved in his Parafed community, especially with athletics as a shot putter himself.<br/><br/>Rorie is passionate towards encouraging youth to achieve the best they can and have fun in sport and recreation.

Sarah believes that sport and physical activity should be inclusive for all, and is keen to work with her Youth Council peers to achieve this.<br/><br/>Residing in the Waikato, Sarah is a Graphic Designer for Clipboard. She uses her interest in graphics to support the Social Media for Soul Lounge. Soul Lounge provides accessible and disability friendly spaces at music festivals.<br/><br/>Sarah can be found in the gym a lot as she is into powerlifting!

16-year-old Sionann Murphy of Auckland’s North Shore is a talented Para athlete wanting to make a difference in the lives of young physically disabled New Zealanders.<br/>Sionann has cerebral palsy right hemiplegia and has been involved in athletics since she was age four and has been swimming since she was age seven. In 2019 she was a recipient of the ISPS Handa Talent Schlolarship to support her athletics journey and in 2021 she also won the Sir Murray Halberg Cup for Most Outstanding Athlete at the 2021 Halberg Games. The Halberg Foundation has been a big part of her life over the years and in turn, she would like to give back by helping other young people with disabilities.

Una is a highly motivated 17-year-old based in Canterbury. <br/><br/>Within the school community they are involved in leadership roles within athletics and technology. This includes working with younger students.<br/><br/>Una is also involved in athletics, primarily shot put and javelin but enjoys to run on occasions!

Amy is 21-years-old and is currently a Junior Adviser in the North Island for the Halberg Foundation.<br/>Since becoming involved with the Halberg Foundation in 2017 after attending Outward Bound, she has attended various Halberg events and was a Youth Council member since 2019 up until 2021. During this time, she also finished her degree in Occupational Therapy and was a Parafed Waikato Board member. Although living in Auckland for her role with Halberg, Amy continues to keep her strong connections to the Waikato through wheelchair rugby and athletics.

Anton is a student from Taranaki, currently studying at Massey University in Palmerston North. Outside of university, Anton is a keen athlete, competing in athletics, Ultimate Frisbee, and cross country along with social football and cycling. He also enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and playing all sorts of games with his youth group.<br/>Anton has Holt-Oram Syndrome, which affects the bones in his arms, and over the years has attended several Halberg Games. He would like to see a better future for young people with disabilities, as he has seen first-hand the positive impact that sport and recreation can have, and he is passionate about pursuing opportunities to break down those barriers for other young people with disabilities to become active.

Sam is a 22-year-old student from North Shore, Auckland, currently studying for a conjoint degree in Engineering and Commerce. Samuel has cerebral palsy and attended Rangitoto College where he was a Prefect. He has been swimming for over ten years and loves to spend time around the sea, being an avid boatie and fisherman. Outside of sport Sam has achieved various academic awards and is heavily involved in singing, winning multiple national and international honours with choir groups.

Jacob was an inaugural member of the Halberg Youth Council, he grew up in Hamilton and recently graduated from the University of Otago with degree in Sport Development and Management. The 24-year-old has cerebral palsy and represented New Zealand in Para athletics at the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games in the Men’s T35 100m and 200m events. Jacob has been a Youth Ambassador for Parafed Waikato and a team support member for the Waikato team at the 2016 Halberg Games which he has also competed in previous years.

Kiran is a founding member of the Halberg Youth Council, Kiran spent his time with the Council endeavoring to see equal sporting, recreational, and educational opportunities for physically disabled young people. He has shared his ideas and experience at both a national and local level, but it is at the local level where he has the privilege of teaching the next generation of sport leaders how to be inclusive. His journey, starting in the arts and continuing in both the arts and sport, led him to complete a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications with minors in History and Music Technology from the University of Otago. <br/>Kiran has recently taken up a role as a Halberg Junior Adviser of the South.

Siobhan is a talented young leader and exceptional role model in her community. The 21-year-old is from Rotorua and is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at Toi Ohomai Tech. With a background in running and swimming, Siobhan has competed at a national level in Para swimming and has attended the Halberg Games three times, both as an athlete and a team manager. <br/>Siobhan has club foot and is passionate about making a positive impact on the children of tomorrow and also the adults who need some encouragement and a fresh perspective!

Thomas is an inaugural member of the Halberg Youth Council who is studying towards a double degree in both Law and Māori, and indigenous. The 21-year-old is passionate about all things Kaupapa Māori and looks to represent this in his work on the Youth Council. <br/>Thomas has cerebral palsy and is always looking to grow understanding and start positive conversations around disability sport, inclusiveness, and the empowerment of rangatahi across Aotearoa, regardless of the possible challenges that one may face.

Vic is an inaugural member of the Halberg Youth Council, she is 22-years-old and has graduated from Otago Polytechnic with a degree in Occupational Therapy and is now working in the Health Sector. In her spare time, Vic enjoys hiking, swimming, and catching up with friends. She has never let her disability of cerebral palsy stop her from achieving goals and she has a passion for advocating for youth with disabilities.