On Thursday we were honoured to host Dr. Tracey-Lee Dalton from CLM Community Sport as our guest speaker. Tracey-Lee joined us to express her gratitude for the club's support, which helped her attend the recent ISAPA 2025 (International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity) in Kerry, Ireland. It was a privilege to hear about her inspiring journey and the important work she is doing.
Tracey-Lee's story is one of incredible resilience and determination. Many years ago, her life was changed in an instant when she suffered a serious brain injury after being knocked off her bicycle in Clevedon. This challenge, however, did not define her. During her recovery, Tracey-Lee embarked on an academic pursuit that culminated in a remarkable achievement: completing her PhD. Her research focused on a topic close to her heart, exploring the critical success factors that lead to positive outcomes for adult caregivers of adults with disabilities. Her personal experiences have clearly given her a unique and compassionate perspective that shines through her work.
At the symposium in Ireland, Tracey-Lee was on a global panel and ran a workshop, representing South Auckland and the Oceania Region. She showcased her important mahi to advance physical activity and sport for individuals with disabilities. Her presentations highlighted several key programmes making a huge difference:
- The Hauora Inclusion programme, a collaboration between Rosehill School, Kauri Flats, CLM Community Sport, and Papakura Rotary, which has reached over 1,600 participants since 2022.
- The Try Games, active, inclusive events for specialist schools held at Bruce Pulman Arena.
- Partnerships with the Sanitarium Kids TRYathlon and Kea Kids News, which champion participation for all.
The feedback from her sessions was powerful, with delegates stating, "We’re going to use these ideas to create change in our countries." This is a true testament to the work she is leading. Her key message is that collaboration, innovation, and the courage to "give things a go" can break down barriers and create real opportunities for rangatahi (young people) with disabilities.
Her presentation to Rotary highlighted the importance of the Hauora Inclusion programme, a holistic approach to wellbeing that is built on four key pillars: physical, mental, social, and financial health.
In true Rotary spirit, Tracey-Lee finished the evening with a special request. She is looking for helpers from our club to assist with the upcoming Hauora Inclusion Day at Bruce Pulman Park on Friday, August 22nd. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to support the very programmes that are putting South Auckland on the world map.
#RotaryPapakura #TraceyLeeDalton, #CLMCommunitySport #HauoraInclusion, #ISAPA2025