Athlete Leadership Programme 2026

By Diane Harpur

This year I have had the great pleasure of mentoring 1 of our Auckland athletes, Justene Glassey, through the Athlete Leadership Programme run by New Zealand Special Olympics. This year there were 10 Athletes selected from all around New Zealand to complete the leadership training.

In April, a very nervous Justene and I travelled to Wellington for the day to complete workshop 1, alongside the other 9 athletes and their mentors. Everyone was very shy and nervous, but it didn't take long for everyone to relax, and very quickly we bonded as a group. Throughout the day we worked through our workbooks focussing on a number of different leadership skills. The sessions were either all together or split into Athletes and mentors. We were both very tired by the time we got home but it was an amazing day!

The next 2 sessions of the year were for the Athletes only, with 1 being an overnight trip! There were some very excited Athletes and very nervous Mentors! The overnight trip was a great success with all the athletes growing in both independence and confidence. Justene was a little anxious about going away from her son Bentley for the night but it was a very worthwhile experience.

The highlight of the 2 day programme was the planning and implementing of a sport session at 1 of the local Special needs schools. There was a lot of great feedback from both the Athletes and the school students.

On Wednesday the 7th of October Justene, Bentley and I were all up very early to fly to Wellington on the 7.30am flight for the Athlete leadership graduation ceremony. 

The Ceremony was held at Parliament, very fancy! When we arrived at Parliament the Athletes aspent the first part of the day practising their speeches while the mentors went for a coffee and a catch up!

At 10.30 we were joined by family members who had been invited to the graduation, It was wonderful to have Justene's son Bentley at the ceremony along with other members of her family.

I was so proud of Justene who was first up to present her speech, she did an amazing job and I definitely had a tear in my eye. Following all the 10 amazing speeches we enjoyed lunch together and a chance to meet and talk to other athletes and their families. 

I am so proud of how Justene has grown in confidence and independence throughout the programme this year. She has gained so many skills, and I know that she is going to be an amazing leader and represent Auckland Special Olympics so well in the years to come, promoting inclusion and encouraging other people with disabilities to achieve and grow through sport.

Diane Harpur