Life Members — Special Olympics Auckland

Joce was awarded Life Membership by Special Olympics New Zealand in 2013 not long before her passing. She had been involved first with the establishment of North Taranaki in 1985 and, after moving to Auckland in 1990 she joined the committee in 1992 and served as Chair for many of those years. Joce worked at Sunnydene Special School, Oaklynn Special School and then Mt Richmond School and was an integral part of school to club transition in our region. Alongside Margaret Hallenberg, Joce led Auckland to be one of the most active and responsive clubs in New Zealand. She served as representative on the regional committee and kept in contact with her peers around the country. Joce was a strong advocate for athletes to “enjoy social experiences just like everyone else and to have a night out like their peers”. Joce was motivated to assist athletes by her passion to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Life Member

Joce Sweney

Janet joined Special Olympics in 1993 in support of her son Lawrence. Her husband Brian and other family members have supported Janet and the club ever since. Janet joined the Auckland committee in 1998 holding many roles through to her retirement in 2018. Janet was in control of the suppers at our Disco’s for many years and having trained a successor has now passed the role over. Despite retiring Janet still helps manage trainings for Athletics, Basketball and Football, and supports fundraising, social events and teams at competitions. Janet oversaw the Athletics team which went to the Trans-Tasman events held in Cairns 2012 &Hamilton 2016. Janet has been part of many teams to attend T1 & T2 events and attended every National Summer Games from 2001 -2017. Janet was editor-in-chief for the club newsletter “Special Spirit” from 2004 – 2021 helping keep our community informed of events.

Life Member

Janet Feary

Christine began volunteering in 1986 supporting her son Keith. Her primary focus was Ten Pin where she coached becoming sport manager in 2000. Christine was a member of the Auckland committee for over 20 years retiring in 2018 from a role which included being secretary for several years. Christine is an integral part of the Ten Pin group and has led teams to Nationals, Trans-Tasman events as well as T1 & T2 events. The Trans-Tasman held in Cairns is Christine’s favourite moment. She and her team have hosted T1 & T2 events at the Lincoln Rd PINS Bowling Centre. Christine supported Special Olympics at fundraising and social events. In 2017 Christine received volunteer recognition through the local community newspaper “Thanks A Bunch” award.

Life Member

Christine Boswell

Margaret joined Special Olympics in 1992 as a parent volunteer supporting her son Jono. She soon became Chair until 1996 when she took the role of Secretary through until 2016. Margaret has extraordinary organisational skills including arranging fundraising events, organising Discos, catering, sourcing prizes for key events and volunteer recruitment. Margaret helped found the Up Top newsletter which progressed to be a wonderful glossy publication. Margaret willingly put her hand up, and took 3 months leave, to take a key role with the organisation of the Special Olympics 21st Birthday Ball held here at Alexandra Park in 2004. Margaret was the instigator behind Christine Fletcher joining Special Olympics Auckland as the Club’s Patron. Margaret had a long involvement with the Upper North Island Council, chairing the finance sub-committee and facilitating the 2000 North Island Games and 2001 National Games held in Auckland. Margaret was a region representative on the Special Olympics New Zealand board from late 90’s through to structure change in 2007. In receiving her Life Membership Award Margaret Hallenberg said “My principle is one of do the work, if you commit to do a job you do it and follow through with all that is needed to make the job a success otherwise it is a waste of time and resources. To do this you need a strong backbone of willing volunteers which we have been blessed with in Auckland. This Award is as much about the helpers who made things happen as part of the team.”

Life Member

Margaret Hallenberg

Val started volunteering with the new Waitakere club in the mid-90s supporting her daughter Ruth. Working at Rutherford School she was heavily involved with special needs athletes helping them to transition to clubs. She was closely involved in the promotion and support of Rhythmic Gymnastics and Rollersports including a national Gymnastics tour of Special Olympics regions by Nikki Jenkins and securing an agreement to include Special Olympics athletes in Rollersports NZ events. Val was a representative on the Upper North Island Council for several years. She transitioned to Auckland club and was a member of the 2000 North Island Regional Games organising committee continuing her support into the 2001 National Summer Games. Val continues to provide medical support for Auckland competitions. Over the years Val has volunteered with multiple sports - Athletics, Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics, Snowsports, Indoor Bowls, and Rollersports, and continues to volunteer with Ten Pin. She has been part of the coaching & management team for many T1, T2 and National games.

Life Member

Val O’Gorman

Helena began volunteering in 1985 alongside her mother Margaret and assisting her brother David. She was Auckland Athletics coach at the Hamilton 1986 NSG; In 1988 Helena became Auckland Club Chair; started the Interclub swim relay (Kennet Shield); helped select two SO teams to compete at NZ Softball; 50th Ten Pin have-a-go at Takapuna leading to weekly leagues; Basketball skills with Benny Anthony & Tony Webster leading to weekly training; Assisted starting Counties as 2nd club in region. Employed by SONZ as Regional Sport Director (1989-1992) helping establish clubs – North Harbour, South Auckland, Howick-Pakuranga, Tamaki, Warkwells & Waiheke (1989) & Manukau and Waitakere (1992). Involved with several World Games teams including head coach Basketball 1995. Support/Management of teams, national trainings, and other areas including work with NZ Rugby to create a team to play Japan 2000.

Life Member

Helena Mathieson

Brett has volunteered since 1986 at first assisting his parents Brian and Lyn at events and in support of his sister Cindy, Primarily involved with Athletics, Basketball, Football & Snowsports, Brett will lend a hand wherever there is a need. For a time, Brett was a registered Unified Footballer in support of Special Olympics New Zealand. He has attended every National Summer Games since 1991 and every National Winter Games since 2007 as a coach and/or team manager. Brett does the set-up for our discos and is generally the first to arrive to help organisation of our events. His wife Diane Harpur and their children Amy and Ethan have supported Auckland events for many years with Diane a Trustee and Ethan Football & Table Tennis coach. In 2015 Brett was a finalist at the Attitude Awards in the “Making A Difference” category.

Life Member

Brett Roscoe

Long before Special Olympics began Alan was a top-level Table Tennis player, winning several NZ titles also overseas including the Scottish Open. He continued playing & winning competitively for over 50 years. Since 2003 Alan has volunteered at the weekly Hosting Inclusive Table Tennis programme for Auckland school athletes. Alan joined Auckland’s Ten Pin bowling coaches partly in support of his son James and partly because he was a skilled bowler who wanted to impart his knowledge to our community. He has been with Special Olympics for 40 years assisting at trainings and being part of team management at local, regional and national competitions. Alan did very well on Australia’s Who wants to be a Millionaire? in 2004 exemplifying his extensive general knowledge.

Life Member

Our Team