Daniel Foliaki

Wheelchair Basketball World Championships 2017 here I come. That’s the message from Daniel Foliaki.

The 20 year old from Beachlands has been hooked on the sport since attending a wheelchair basketball “have a go” day in 2012. Prior to that he didn’t play any sport.

Not only has Daniel found a sport he excels at but the physical activity has improved his confidence, self-esteem and fitness.

Recent funding from the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation’s AllSports Activity Fund helped Daniel obtain the customised basketball wheelchair that will help him progress his play.

“I am really wrapped about my new chair – it makes me fast and nimble on the court,” Daniel says.

“I love wheelchair basketball because it is really competitive and my disability doesn’t hold me back”.

The University of Auckland student, who has spina bifida, is a member of the Auckland Wheelbreakers Development Squad and aims to make the New Zealand U23 team for the 2017 world champs.

He was a key member of the Auckland wheelchair basketball team that competed at the Halberg Junior Disability Games, Cambridge in April. The Games are a national three day sports competition for physically disabled and visually impaired people aged eight to 21.

Halberg Disability Sport Adviser Maia Lewis helped Daniel with the Halberg Activity Fund grant for the sports wheelchair.

“Daniel really found his niche sport in wheelchair basketball,” Maia says.

“Daniel is climbing the wheelchair basketball pathway and his new customised chair will aid the transitions to reach for his dreams.”