As we honour Sir Murray Halberg’s birthday, we’re launching Halberg Tomorrow- Play it Forward, helping build a future where every young person can experience the joy of sport and recreation

7 July marks the birthday anniversary of our founder and one of Aotearoa’s most influential sporting figures — Sir Murray Halberg. While many remember him for his extraordinary achievements on the track, it is his work off it that continues to transform lives across the country.

More than sixty years after Sir Murray established the Halberg Foundation in 1963, his vision of inclusion, opportunity, and belonging for every young person living with a disability remains at the heart of our mission. His belief that every child deserves the chance to move, play, and participate continues to guide the Foundation’s work and inspire its impact across Aotearoa.

As we honour Sir Murray’s birthday, we are also stepping confidently into a new chapter with the introduction of Halberg Tomorrow- Play it Forward, a new initiative for Gifts in Wills designed to help ensure future generations of young people with physical disabilities can access sport and recreation long into the future.

Rooted in our purpose of creating moments of joy, the Halberg Foundation continues to champion Sir Murray’s pioneering vision. His leadership reshaped the landscape of inclusive sport in New Zealand, opening doors that had never existed before and empowering young people to discover what they are capable of.

Board Chair George Bridgewater MNZM says the timing could not be more fitting.

“Sir Murray believed every young person deserved the opportunity to experience the confidence, connection and joy that comes through sport. Play it Forward is about ensuring that vision continues for generations to come. It’s an opportunity for New Zealanders to leave a legacy that will help young people with physical disabilities participate, belong and reach their potential.”

Introducing Play it Forward – Gifts in Wills

Our new Play it Forward – Gifts in Wills programme invites Kiwis to get involved, inspire others, and create lasting impact. Legacy gifts will help provide more opportunities for young people with physical disabilities to try new activities, build confidence, and experience the physical and social benefits of inclusive sport.

These gifts also strengthen the Foundation’s ability to grow its reach and deepen its impact across the motu.

Chief Executive Tom Smith says:

“We see every day how transformative inclusive sport can be — not just for the young person, but for their whānau and community. Gifts in Wills strengthen our ability to reach more families, support more educators and coaches, and create more moments of joy. It’s a powerful way to honour Sir Murray’s legacy while investing in the future.”

A Legacy that Lives On

Across Aotearoa, the impact of Sir Murray’s work is visible in the stories of young people who have discovered confidence, independence, and friendship through inclusive sport. Whether it’s a child trying adaptive equipment for the first time, a family receiving support to access a local programme, or an athlete competing at the Halberg Games, each moment reflects the values Sir Murray championed.

The Gifts in Wills programme is a promise to the next generation — that inclusion will not be optional, that opportunity will not be limited, and that every young person with a physical disability will have the chance to move, play, discover, and pursue their passions without limitations.

Sir Murray Halberg’s legacy is not only remembered. It is lived — every day, in every region, in every child who gets a chance.

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