MEET THE NEW FACES JOINING THE HALBERG YOUTH COUNCIL
Halberg is thrilled to welcome four passionate young leaders to the Halberg Youth Council – Natalie, Thomas, Zack, and Ben!
Each brings their own experiences, interests, and ambitions to the team, united by a shared goal of making sport and recreation more inclusive for all. The Youth Council provides young people with physical disabilities a platform to share their perspectives, strengthen their leadership skills, and help shape the future of inclusion through sport across Aotearoa.
NATALIE – TARANAKI/WHANGANUI REGION
Natalie has been part of the Halberg community for many years, regularly taking part in regional events and the Halberg Games. A lover of horse riding and swimming. Natalie is excited to continue growing her leadership skills through the Youth Council. She’s passionate about gaining more experience and continuing to be part of the community that has given her so much joy and confidence over the years.
THOMAS – WAIKATO REGION
Thomas is a C2 Para cyclist whose sporting journey began with swimming lessons made possible through Halberg funding. From there, his passion for para sport grew – leading him to competitive track and road cycling. Thomas hopes to one day represent New Zealand on the world stage. As part of the Youth Council, he’s eager to give back to Halberg to help other young people with disabilities find their passion for sport, experience the same opportunities he’s had, and feel empowered to pursue their dreams.
ZACK – CANTERBURY REGION
From rural North Canterbury, Zack competes in para athletics and is studying a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Socialogy. Beyond sport, he enjoys film photography and rugby. Zack is looking forward to collaborating with other young leaders on the Halberg Youth Council to help open doors for rangatahi to get involved in para sport and experience the benefits of inclusion and community.
BEN – SOUTHLAND REGION
Ben Muir from Menzies Collage is passionate about rugby, wakeboarding and social golf. He’s joining the Youth Council to ensure that voices of young people with disabilities are heard and represented. Ben is driven to advocate for better understanding and accessibility in sport and recreation, and is excited to work alongside others who share his passion for making meaningful change.
Together, these four new members bring fresh energy, perspectives, and ideas to the Halberg Youth Council. Their combined experiences and enthusiasm will help strengthen the Council’s mssion – empowering young people to lead, connect, and make sport more inclusive across Aotearoa.
Join us in congratulating Natalie, Thomas, Zack, and Ben on their appointments! We can’t wait to see their journey on the Youth Council flourish and the positive impact they’ll make within the Halberg Community and beyond.
