Wales' winning formula strengthens sporting links

The Welsh Government and the Oceania Paralympic Committee have signed today a memorandum of understanding which will see all Oceania Region Paralympic nations – New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands - performing their final preparations in Wales prior to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The agreement was signed by the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and Fiona Pickering, Secretary General of the Oceania Paralympic Committee on behalf of President Paul Bird, who is currently in London at the preparations for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones was joined by New Zealand sporting legend Sir Murray Halberg and Jon Morgan from Disability Sport Wales to celebrate the signing and the developing sport relationships between Wales and New Zealand.

The event hosted by Paralympics New Zealand and the Halberg Trust also marked International Paralympic Day celebrations in New Zealand.

Today's signing follows the memorandum signed between Paralympics New Zealand and the Welsh Government in June 2009 committing the New Zealand Paralympic Team to holding their pre-camp in Swansea, Wales.

The agreement paved the way for the unprecedented move today of an entire region being based in one nation prior to a Paralympic Games.

Fiona Pickering, Secretary General of the Oceania Paralympics Committee and Chief Executive of Paralympic New Zealand says today has marked a momentous occasion for Wales, New Zealand and the Oceania region.

"I am very proud of the regional alignment of the Oceania nations and I know that our partnership with Wales will continue to strengthen Paralympic Sport. Today we have seen what the Paralympic Spirit is and being International Paralympic Day further enhances the special nature of this relationship.”

Ms Pickering adds that the majority of the Oceania nations will be based in Cardiff with the Australian Paralympic Committee.

"Australia has strongly supported this initiative and will be supporting the smaller Oceania nations in their Paralympic Games preparations," she says.

The First Minister said Wales is committed to providing a first class environment for athletes in the lead up to the Games.

"The combination of world class training facilities, proximity and quality of accommodation, access to state of the art support services together with a Welsh welcome that is second to none, is a compelling offer which has resulted in Paralympic athletes from many nations deciding to choose Wales,” he says.

Disability Sport Wales and the Halberg Trust will be entering into a partnership which will further explore best practice between the two nations in the area of community disability sports development.

Halberg Trust spokesperson Nicki Turner said: “Wales is consistently achieving above expectations, right from grass roots participation through to elite Paralympic level. This is a reflection of the country’s commitment to prioritise disability sport across the board, and the partnership between Wales, Paralympics New Zealand and the Halberg Trust presents a great example of an international collaboration that will no doubt enhance New Zealand’s disability sport pathway – from participation to elite competition.”

Jon Morgan from Disability Sport Wales said: “Our partnership with Paralympics New Zealand and Halberg Trust provides a unique opportunity to create a legacy that lasts well beyond the lifetime of the London 2012 Games. What better time than on International Paralympic Day to announce this exciting initiative.”