Special Olympics Southland is gearing up to send its team to the 2025 Special Olympics National Summer Games in Christchurch, with athletes departing from Invercargill Airport on Wednesday, 10 December at 8:35am.

The team will return home on Monday, 15 December at 10:15am, and media are warmly invited to attend either the farewell or the welcome home.

More than 1,300 athletes from across the country will compete at the Games (10–14 December), representing sports including athletics, swimming, football, golf and more.

Special Olympics New Zealand provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities - building inclusion, confidence, and lifelong friendships through sport.

In the lead-up to the Games, the Southland community celebrated the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run on Sunday, 30 November at ILT Stadium, where athletes, whānau, supporters and NZ Police came together for a fantastic turnout and a high-energy morning of pride and connection.

The Southland team is now ready to take the spirit of that event with them as they head to Christchurch to compete on the national stage.