One of Grace Payne’s goals as a Special Olympics New Zealand Athlete Leader became a reality in Auckland over the weekend, with the successful delivery of the country’s first Unified Schools basketball competition. I hope this is just the beginning and that schools across New Zealand will have the opportunity to be part of Unified Schools.” Grace is a Special Olympics New Zealand Upper North Island Athlete Leadership Council representative and Special Olympics International Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, representing New Zealand nationally, across the Asia Pacific region and internationally while advocating for a more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand. Grace has been supported throughout the project by mentor Rowena Massey through Special Olympics New Zealand’s Athlete Leadership Programme. Special Olympics New Zealand Unified Schools event (Photo/Supplied)Special Olympics New Zealand Regional Sports Coordinator Andy Napier said the competition demonstrated the power of inclusive sport to bring communities together.