Jake Ryan is a 23-year-old changemaker from Taranaki who is passionate about sport, inclusion, and leadership. Living with Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 and Cerebral Palsy, Jake’s journey has been shaped by perseverance and a deep belief that sport should be accessible to everyone — regardless of ability.
Sport has always been a part of Jake’s life. From a young age, he spent time on the sidelines supporting his older brother. While others told him for years that he couldn’t play, Jake refused to let that be the end of the story. Now, he’s not only participating in sport, but often side-by-side with his brother — flipping the script and showing that inclusion is not just possible, it’s powerful.
Growing up in Taranaki presented challenges. Jake often encountered people who didn’t look beyond his disability, assuming he wasn’t interested or capable of being involved in sport. Rather than being included, he was sidelined — sometimes literally — assigned to jobs like keeping score while others played. What many didn’t realise was that he wanted nothing more than to be on the field, just like everyone else.
Determined to create change, Jake made it his mission to open doors for others. His drive to advocate and lead led him to join the Halberg Youth Council, where he found a platform to support and inspire young disabled athletes. He was motivated by a desire to be the role model he never had — someone visible, relatable, and leading by example.
During his time on the Youth Council, Jake was involved in several impactful projects, including the Halberg Regional Leadership Programme. One highlight was mentoring another young athlete who has since taken his place on the Council — a proud full-circle moment that reflects the kind of legacy Jake is building.
Being part of the Halberg whānau helped Jake grow his confidence and develop his voice. Through leadership training, speaking opportunities, and being surrounded by like-minded peers, Jake learned that his perspective mattered and that speaking up could lead to real change. These experiences have stayed with him, shaping the leader he is today.
Now a Halberg Youth Council alumni, Jake continues his advocacy through a role with Central Football’s Youth Council. He sees this as an extension of the work he began with Halberg, with a focus on ensuring that opportunities in football are accessible to disabled players. His involvement is driven by a vision of more inclusive sporting environments, where participation isn’t limited by assumptions or barriers.
Jake is also preparing to join the board of Parafed Taranaki, an organisation he has long supported at the local level. For him, having an athlete’s voice at the decision-making table is critical, and he’s committed to ensuring that the needs and perspectives of disabled athletes are heard and acted on.
His motivation to keep going comes from being active in his community. Whether it’s seeing disabled people at local yoga classes, taking part in their own fitness sessions, or playing sport alongside non-disabled peers, Jake wants inclusion to feel normal — and respected. He believes strongly in the power of representation and visibility, and he continues to show up in spaces that haven’t always been welcoming, with the goal of making them better for the next generation.
Jake’s involvement in sport continues to grow. He’s looking forward to playing walking football more regularly, riding new bike trails across Aotearoa, and progressing his CrossFit journey — including competing in his first adaptive competition alongside his trainer. Each new experience is a reminder of how far he has come, and how much is still possible.
For any young disabled person thinking about sport, Jake’s message is simple: try everything. You won’t know what you love until you give it a go.
Although his time on the Halberg Youth Council has come to an end, Jake remains deeply connected to the Halberg community. He’s proud of the friendships, the progress, and the changes he helped drive — especially at the local level, where he continues to be a powerful force for inclusion and opportunity.
