Mel Giles

Mel looks after the Central and West Upper North Island region, preparing events, coaching, and hanging out with athletes, volunteers, teachers and parents. She loves the honesty our athletes bring to everyday activities.

Mel is involved in football, rugby, cricket, netball, softball and basketball and loves surfing, wakeboarding, knee-boarding and boating in the summer. She’s also tried skiing but claims that it was not a great experience.

Mel was born in New Plymouth where her parents made Wave Skis (both her mum and dad represented New Zealand in the sport). Mel spent much of her childhood on various beaches around the country with her parents, brother and sister. She still loves travelling as well as spending as much time as possible with friends, family and her two cats, Brian and Crazy (both female).

Mel also loves food – at the moment she’s singing the praises of pesto vege and chicken pasta which is apparently great the night before football.

Click here for more information about Special Olympics in Mel's region.