Athol Tipene

Special Olympics Whangarei’s Athol Tipene is a character and a raconteur. While he often recounts ‘tall tales’, he is eager to use his storytelling skills to promote Special Olympics New Zealand to new athletes in the wider community.

Since becoming a Global Messenger Athol has been busy working in his local community to organise a ball. One of his tasks has been to secure the band and assist his fellow organisers with the preparations.

Athol has been involved with Special Olympics New Zealand since around 2007 and plays “everything on offer” in Whangarei, including soccer, indoor bowls, tenpin bowling, basketball and athletics. He competed in track and field in the National Summer Games in 2009.