For 13-year-old Luca, sport is about more than just staying active – it’s about having fun, building confidence, and feeling included.
Luca, a student at Timaru South School is excited to be starting high school next year, as he’s always enjoyed being involved in a range of sporting opportunities. Through the Halberg Foundation and Special Olympics South Canterbury he knew the power of sports. Whether he’s playing soccer in winter, competing in athletics during summer, or trying new activities at the Halberg Games, sport is now an important part of his life.
“Going to the Halberg Games makes me feel included and I enjoy giving new sports a go,” says Luca. “Doing sports helps me with my co-ordination.”
Like many young people, Luca faces challenges from time to time. He finds some aspects of school difficult, but sport provides a positive outlet where he can develop skills, have fun, and connect with others. “I enjoy going to the South Canterbury Special Olympics, playing soccer and scoring goals,” he says.
One of Luca’s favourite things about sport is the social side. “Sport is fun and I enjoy meeting people.”
Luca was born at just 27 weeks and lives with global developmental delay. He faces ongoing challenges with balance and coordination — especially due to twisted feet, which require inserts and regular physiotherapy.
While other kids were racing ahead on bikes, Luca struggled to keep up. His training wheels didn’t offer enough support, and fear of falling made him hesitant to ride.
With support from the Halberg Foundation, Luca has been able to access opportunities that have made a real difference to his life. Funding for one-on-one swimming lessons has helped him continue developing his skills in the water, while support towards a specialised trike has been transformative.
With the help of supporters a trike arrived just before his 12th birthday and quickly became more than just a new piece of equipment. Unlike his previous bike, which required training wheels and assistance from others, the trike has given Luca a new level of independence and confidence.
With eight gears, Luca now does all the pedalling himself; something he wasn’t able to achieve on his previous bike. “He is much more confident riding his trike and no longer relies on someone else to push him along,” says his father Moritz Fassbender. For Luca and his family, it has opened up new opportunities for independence, recreation, and freedom.
