Tyla Johnson
12 year old Tyla Johnson's condition of Club Ulnar Dysplasia doesn't get in the way of his swimming and athletics dreams - or of winning gold medals and breaking New Zealand records. His efforts in 2008 saw him win the "Most Promising Junior Athlete" at the Parafed Awards.

Tyla is a promising athlete in both swimming and athletics but believes he has a better chance of representing New Zealand in swimming sooner so has opted to pursue this discipline.  His goal is to compete in the 2012 Paralympics.  Paralympics NZ Athlete Development Manager says Tyla’s potential as a swimmer has already been recognised and his 2009 Parafed Canterbury Most Promising Junior Athlete award (previously won by champion swimmer Sophie Pascoe) was a great achievement.   Tyla is one of the youngest athletes ever to represent NZ Paralympics at an international competition.  Tyla comes from a single income family and his mum says a scholarship would be of great benefit to enable Tyla to achieve his goals.

Aine Kelly-Costello

Aine has received a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship for her abilities in the pool and in music - at only 14 and blind since birth, she has completed grade 7 piano and grade 6 flute exams while training hard enough to set Paralympic NZ records for her category (S11) in freestyle and backstroke.

Aine is an extremely gifted person who excels in academics, music and swimming - her mother says Aine’s blindness has not deterred her in any way from excelling in just about anything she sets her mind to.  The family moved to New Zealand in 2004 from Canada and Ireland.  Her music tutor comments about Aine’s natural sense of musicality and her success in many local performances.  She was the highest Grade 6 performer in New Zealand in 2008, which when coupled with a similar success in her piano exam, was an astonishing result!

Aine's scholarship is funded by Ansvar Insurance.

Aine's mentor is New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's principal flautist Bridget Douglas

Blake Leitch
17 year old Blake has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type 2) which hasn't stopped him from achieving 6 IGCSE passes in the Cambridge International Exams and being in the top 20% of his academic peer group. His other achievements at school, Westlake Boys, include being appointed school prefect and being awarded the Wayne Reynolds Memorial Award in 2005 as an inspirational student. 

He has received a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship for education to pursue his psychology studies. 

Some comments from the Deputy Headmaster of Westlake Boys High School about Blake – “an incredibly impressive young man”, “Blake’s success is a testament to his superb attitude to life”, “fantastic sense of humour”, “a young man I will remember for a long time to come”.

His Science teacher believes “Blake is seen as an inspirational figure by his determination to overcome extremely challenging personal circumstances in order to partake fully in the school community” and is “a credit to himself and the school."

Blake's scholarship is funded by CMC Markets and he is mentored by Tony Christiansen .

Matthew Mokoroa
At 13, Matthew excels in athletics and his Variety Gold Heart Scholarship will allow him to represent New Zealand at the 17th World Transplant Games in Australia in August. .

Matthew was a fit child until he was 9 when he was diagnosed with Rheumatic fever and had a liver transplant - his father was the donor.  He also suffered from hepatitis and meningitis after the transplant. 

Matthew’s dream is to win a gold medal at the Games for “myself, family, coach and my surgeons and nurses who gave me a second chance with life – I want to show everyone that I was worth it”.  His church leader talks of Matthew’s commitment and humble attitude that will assist him to do great things.

Emma Paton
17 year old Emma Paton has been awarded a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship to allow her to attend the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei. Sporty Emma also plays First XI soccer, A team cricket and has won swimming events in freestyle and backstroke.

Emma's school principal talks of a student who demonstrates outstanding application and enjoys strong relationships with those in authority; is totally committed to her sports (school, regional and provincial); and is fully involved with school life.

Her mum speaks of a daughter who doesn’t focus on the difficulties but instead chooses to focus on the positives.  Her mother will attend the Deaflympics with Emma (at her own cost) as her support person

Photo credit - Eastern Bay News

Talitha Pongi

At only 16, Talitha is already a gold medal-winning Waka Ama competitor - she won 3 at the New Zealand Championships in the Junior 19's 250m and 500m and Junior 16's 250m singles. Coupled with a bronze medal in Junior 16's at the 2008 World Championships in Sacramento and success on the basketball and netball courts, it is little wonder that Talitha has been awarded a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship for sport. 

Her Waka Ama couch says she is a very capable and determined athlete. She gives back what she is given by helping other students and teachers in both paddling and netball. 

In her application to Variety, Talitha wrote of the financial struggle for her solo mum to help her with getting to the World Champs.  They have sausage sizzles, raffles, clean cars, pick fruit, babysit – anything they can do to raise money needed for Talitha’s sport.  Talitha’s goal is first to attend the NZ National Waka Ama Sprints and then the 2010 World Sprints in May.

Photo credit - Jason Oxenham Suburban Newspapers

Emman Rahimi
12 year old Emman Rahimi lives and breathes soccer - his Variety Gold Heart Scholarship will pay for his fees to the Wynrs Intermediate Soccer Academy. His achievements so far include the 2008 Golden Boot Certificate from Wynrs NZ.

Emman's family arrived here as refugees from Afghanistan and shortly afterwards, Emman was born. If he is successful at the Wynrs Academy, he then has the chance to go on a soccer trip to Japan in 2010.  

One coach tells us that in 20 years of coaching Emman is the best player for his age that he has ever seen. 

Emman says in his application “if you help me I promise you that someday you will see me playing for Fc Barcelona and be saying to yourself that “that’s the little boy I helped when he was just a small kid!"  Emman certainly has passion and determination in the sport he loves despite suffering from a stress disorder.

Photo credit - The Times PJ Taylor

Brenagan Salt
Brenagan doesn't let autism and aspergers get in the way of her love for and achievements in netball, swimming and athletics. Her list of achievements are long - 2008 Auckland Netball representative, 2009 Eastern Zone Champion Year 8 girl;2006, 2007 and 2008 Eastern Zone Athletic girl champion and St Kentigern College School Champion in Swimming (2008 and 2009) and Athletics (2008)

Brenagan’s coaches talk of a girl who is an up-beat positive player, understands group dynamics, consistently exhibits professionalism and dedication, self driven and always gives 100%.  She was awarded a St Kentigern’s College Sports Scholarship in 2008. 

Brenagan understands that her solo mum cannot provide for all the costs for her sports and has been accepting of the fact that in the past she has missed out going to camps etc as there has been no extra household money to go. 

But she says “my mum always tells me I am very special"

Photo credit - The Times PJ Taylor

Chelsea Seagar
Chelsea is a person who never lets her mild celebral palsy set her back - she competed in the 100m, 200m, 400m, discus and cross country events at the recent NZ Secondary School Athletics competition, breaking and setting NZ records in some events.

In her club and school athletics she works hard and is now involved with Parafed Games with a goal to attend the 2012 Paralympics Games in London. 

Teachers say she is well organised, has great work ethic, and is a determined and proud student who strives to reach her full potential. Hadleigh Pierson of NZ Paralympics she is a very promising athlete who trains hard and has applied to join their Xccelerate 2 Xcellence programme designed to find talented and committed athletes for the 2012 & 2016 Paralympics.

Chelsea is mentored by former New Zealand athletics representative Jayne Kiely .

Holden Stirling
Holden’s has severe haemophilia however this does not qualify him to swim in the disabled games so he competes against and beats able bodied swimmers - so far in 2009, he has qualified for the NZ Open Champs in Christchurch and the World Champion Team Teams. 

He travels with his blood products, needles and syringes and his coach comments that Holden handles his haemophilia extremely well and has a good understanding of his condition.. 

He has taken up swimming at a later age than most competitive swimmers but has already qualified for New Zealand mainstream events and world champ trials.  He has good potential and trains 11 sessions a week as well as fitting in his school commitments. 

Holden wants to be the first haemophilia person to win a medal at a Commonwealth Games.

Holden's scholarship is funded by the Pacific Sports & Community Trust.

Holden is mentored by New Zealand representative swimmer Dean Kent .

Rebecca Dubber

16 year old Rebecca is on track with her goal to swim at the 2012 Paralympics, having already broken the world record for her category in a non-qualifying event recently. 

Rebecca has minimal use of her lower limbs and was the Parafed Auckland Junior Sportswoman after she won medals in both the 2007 Oceania Paralympic Championships and the Australian Junior Disabled Games.

In 2008 she swam three new NZ records which qualified her to compete at the British Disability Swim Champs where she won gold, silver and bronze medals.

At the Auckland Age Championships she swam a Personal Best in 400m freestyle, and at the NZ Disabled Champs in 2009 she won 2 golds and 2 silvers

She has opportunities to swim in Brazil, Belgium and Australia in the next 12 months. 

Swimming is everything to Rebecca and she is extremely grateful to Variety for her past scholarship which has enabled her to have a ranking in the top 6 in the world in the Women’s S7 classification in both 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle.

The Gold Heart Scholarship is funded by CMC Markets and will provide Rebecca with funding for travel.

Rebecca is mentored by swimmer Liz Coster

Connor Endrodi
14 year old Queenstown resident Connor Endrodi is a talented athlete who has Cerebral Palsy. He consistently placed in the top 3 in all events at the Parafed and CCS Disability Action Games in 2008. He broke his own New Zealand Paralympics Junior and Open record for Long Jump in November.

 Having a pair of feet up to two sizes different creates great problems buying shoes and last year’s scholarship helped greatly to enable him to have the correct equipment for his sport.  He is training well for the Paralympic NZ Junior Team to Melbourne this year as well as regional New Zealand competitions.

Connor benefits from the support of his mother who is dedicated to raising funds to help him achieve his dreams of competing at Olympic level. 

Parafed Canterbury states that Connor is an extremely talented athlete who often beats senior members.

The Gold Heart Scholarship will assist Connor achieve his dream by funding coaching, equipment, gym and club memberships.

Daniel Holt
Daniel Holt's motto is “put in the miles, reap the rewards” and, with this in mind, he is well on target to fulfill his dream to be at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

In the last 18 months, he has begun swimming competitively with fantastic results including winning numerous gold medals and breaking several records at the  2007 IBSA Youth and Student World Games, the 2007 Paralympic Nationals, the 2006 Southern Cross Games and the 2009 IBSA Youth and Student World Games.

In 2008, he was nominated for the Sportsperson of the Year for Blindsport and Junior Sportsman of the Year at Long Bay College. At the National Age championships he won 1 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals and broke 5 New Zealand Paralympic records.

His coach says “Daniel rarely misses a training session, and is hungry to always learn more.  He is determined to succeed beyond his outstanding achievements to date.”

His visual impairment due to albinism has not stood in the way of his dreams and Blind Sport CEO Ray McLeod say Daniel's future in his chosen sport is promising and he is on track to compete in the 2011 IBSA World Championships and the 2012 London Paralympics.

Daniel's Gold Heart Scholarship will enable him to pay for costs associated with travel, coaching and entry fees to competitions.

Speedo will also provide Daniel with swimming and training gear.  

Daniel's mentor is 3-time Olympic swimmer Helen Norfolk. (pictured here with Daniel)

Ian Stewart
Auckland's Ian Stewart was seven years old when he was diagnosed with Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, specific learning difficulties and a Central Auditory Processing Disorder. Now 17, Ian has demonstrated his perserverance in achieving beyond expectations in his NCEA and completing a Diploma of Animation and Digital Video at Natcoll (which was funded by his Variety Gold Heart Scholarship)

He thoroughly enjoyed his learning at Natcoll in 2008 and is excited about the next step to Video Post Production. The producer of Welcome to the Gun Show where Ian volunteers speaks of Ian being an integral part of their team of editors where he does a thorough job and is consistent in his professional approach to the work, meets deadlines and producing work to the high standard required for broadcasting. 

Ian has “learnt so much and has had the opportunity to use the most creative software on the mark

Ian's Gold Heart Scholarship is funded by CMC Markets and will assist him to fund part of the Natcoll Diploma in Video Post Production (advanced)  

Kyra Thompson
At only 12, Kyra is a talented roller-skater who won 2 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals at the 2009 New Zealand National Rollersports Championships - she also won a special award for the best performance by an artistic skater for up to 16 year olds.

In the last year, Kyra hasn't let her Type 1 diabetes get in the way of winning medals in every event she has competed in, despite large and tough competition. 

In 2009 she moves into the International level cadet grade for all disciplines – this is a big step up so it will be a challenging year. 

Her Mum says Kyra never lets her diabetes deter her - she manages her own pricking and injecting and is very disciplined in her self management of her condition. 

Kyra’s dream is to be an Oceania skater and the Variety scholarships enables her to get the best coaching and achieve all of the steps on the way to her goal.

Kyra's Gold Heart Scholarship will provide funding for coaching and equipment including roller skates .

Brittney and Charlie Vermunt

15 year old Brittney and Charlie Vermunt are twins who lost their father at the end of 2007 - he was their basketball coach and biggest supporter. 

Both of the girls have demonstrated real talent participating in the National Development team, Regional Development Programmes and Hawkes Bay Age Group teams.

With their strong work ethics, positive attitudes and commitment, the major obstacle to future achievement is financial. 

The Variety Gold Heart Scholarship will help provide them with funding to participate in basketball development days.

Brittney and Charlie arre mentored by NZ Breakers star Paul Henare .

photo courtesy of The Gisborne Herald

Akayshia Williams
Akayshia has been deaf since birth and was the recipient of a cochlear implant in November 2006.

She excels on the water in a canoe and won the Waka Ama National Junior Championships in the W6 1000 metre sprint and was a Bronze medalist in the W6 500 metre sprint.

While competing in Waka Ama she is unable to wear her cochlea implant processor in case it makes contact with water, so everything is taught visually.

Her family speaks of a very talented and determined girl who has excelled in all her chosen sports.  She is also a high academic achiever, often helping other students complete their tasks. 

Her Advisor on Deaf Children says Akayshia is also showing promise in leadership and is happy that her parents always seek ways of recognising her talents.  The coaches speak of a girl who is a joy to coach, with great attitude and natural ability

In 2007 her achievements accumulated in her being named the Maori Sportsperson of the year with a disability at the Regional Maori Sports Awards and the Sportsperson of the year at Te Wharau School. 

Her coach is confident that with the right amount of training she will be a contender for the World Sprint Championships in New Caledonia in 2010 and comments that she has achieved goals far beyond her years.

The Variety Gold Heart Scholarship is funded by CMC Markets and will fund her coaching, fitness training and travel costs to competitions.   

Akayshia is mentored by long-time Variety supporter and TV presenter Matai Smith .

Breandan Malone
Thirteen year old Christchurch youth Breandan faces daily challenges dealing with Autism, Dyspraxia, and Irlens Syndrome.

'With his Autism he was always hyperactive, driven by anxiety and prone to very violent outbursts,' says Breandan's Mum. 'He started skating three years ago and from that first moment he just glided off like he was born on skates - two weeks later he started lessons. Figure skating has given him confidence and self esteem, and his concentration, motor skills and muscle tone have noticeably improved.'

'With an Autistic child's anxieties, sensory triggers and social problems, Breandan's achievements are remarkable,' she continues, 'He is a role model for other Autistic children and an inspiration to their parents to keep on trying.' 

In 2007 Breandan won gold in all the mainstream and Special Olympics Figure Skating events he entered - a total of seven gold medals!

He currently competes in both mainstream and Special Olympics skating and is still the highest ranked Special Olympic skater in New Zealand - in 2008, he won the mainstream category in the artistic category.

He was also fortunate enough to spend time with world champion and master coach, Anita Harshom.

Breandan's Variety Gold Heart Scholarship will help pay for the ice time and coaching Breandan needs to reach his dream - to compete in the World Winter Special Olympics and to achieve the highest possible standard in mainstream figure skating.

Breandan is mentored by international cricketer Shane Bond.

Tyler Belcher

Seventeen year old Tyler lives in Christchurch. Being confined to a wheelchair has not stopped him from striving to achieve his dream of becoming a professional tennis player and coach.

He is currently ranked 6th in the World Junior Wheelchair Tennis and has been nominated for the Para Youth Games in Tokyo in 2009.

2008 was a successful year for Tyler - he placed 5th in the World Championships in Italy. In early 2009 he won the NZ Open Men's Plate and won the Men's Doubles title in the Auckland Championships.

Tyler is committed to helping other disabled athletes introducing them to various sports - something he was introduced to at age 8 and has been so successful at.

Tyler says, 'I would like to continue to make myself, my family and my country proud by achieving my goals and by being the best tennis player I can be.'

Tyler's Variety Gold Heart Scholarship will help him and his family with some of the costs they will incur over the next 12 months for travel to tournaments, equipment and coaching.

In his third year of the Variety Scholarship, Tyler says 'I could not have made such big improvements without Variety's help.'   

Ayesha Campbell
Ayesha is a top-ranking regional Ice Figure Skater within her grade. 

At just 13 years of age, she attended her first Australian competition in June 2007.

As a result of her 2008 performance, the NZ Ice Skating Association has selected Ayesha as an international representative. 

Her biggest thrill in 2008 was to be the only New Zealander selected for the ice skating team 'Star on Ice' that performed in Australia in the Andre Rieu World Stadium Tour. 

Her results so far in 2009 are impressive - 1st in Intermediate grade South Island Championships, and 2nd in New South Wales Championships and 3rd in Australian Championships.

Her goal remains to skate for New Zealand at the Junior World Championships and she is well on her way to reach this goal.

Hailing from Christchurch, Ayesha has faced many challenges and her battle with cancer has shown what a fighter she is - she had a wilms tumour and had a kidney removed following chemotherapy.

She is being raised by her grandparents, who are committed to support Ayesha, despite the financial obligations. 

Her Variety Gold Heart Scholarship is funded by CMC Markets and will help her pay for her training and ice time so that she can properly prepare for international competition.

Stephanie McKenzie

Stephanie dreams of representing New Zealand at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in two sports - weightlifting and cycling, and she is not going to let her diabetes stop her.

Stephanie holds the New Zealand Under 15 record for 500m TT, U17 500m TT, NZ Under 17 200 m sprint records.

With cycling, her coach says “never have I been more impressed by the maturity, understanding and dedication of a young athlete than with Stephanie and her potential to rise to the top of the world in her chosen sport is undeniable”

Her other love is weightlifting - in 2008, she won titles for weightlifting at both the NZ Secondary Schools and Australian Age Group Championships in her weight class.

Stephanie's weightlifting coach says she has the talent and mental fortitude to go all the way to the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

She says "If Stephanie is able to reach international honours in cycling it won’t mean the end of weightlifting for her star pupil – both sports compliment each other and it would come down to the Commonwealth Games programme”.  Of weightlifting, Stephanie says “I like the concentration and the quiet, but then it’s explosive.  You get up there and have to beat it, and you know you can.

Stephanie says that “We must remember that having diabetes cannot stop you from doing anything.  You can achieve and perform against those that do not carry this long disability."

Stephanie faces costs not just related to her chosen sport but also for the consumables required to manage her diabetes. Her Variety Gold Heart Scholarship is funded by CMC Markets and will help to ensure she can continue to train and compete.