At Clarus, its energy we do but its people we do it for and our Firstgas Community Fund is one way we can team up and support organisations, charities, groups and individuals in the communities where we operate.
Milly Marshall Kirkwood is a remarkable young woman with a burning desire to become a world champion in seated discus and shotput and compete in the 2028 Paralympics. Through the Firstgas Community Fund we are proud to support Milly as a bronze sponsor to help fulfil her dream.
Athletics New Zealand (ANZ) believes Milly has the potential to reach the 2028 Paralympics and prior to that, the World Para Athletics Championships.
Raylene Bates, ANZ High Performance Para Lead said, “Milly first started competitive athletics in December 2022 at the NZ Secondary School Championships in Inglewood and instantly displayed the physical attributes and attitude to indicate she could be a very good international athlete.”
Milly is a member of High Performance Sport NZ and holds the current achievements:
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Seated Discus U17, U18, U19, U20 and Open Women New Zealand holder - 2nd in the world for U20 women and 25th in the world for Open Women. Oceania F57 champion.
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Seated Shotput U17, U18, U19, U20 New Zealand record holder; 3rd in the world for U20 Women and 26th in the world for Open Women.
Milly said, “My disability no longer burdens me when I participate in sport; I’m equal. I believe that I have found the sport I belong in and my love of throwing will only continue to grow.”
About Milly
Milly lives in Taranaki with her family and was diagnosed with Marfan's Syndrome as a toddler. The genetic condition affects the connective tissue in her cells and major organs.
Rob Kirkwood, Milly’s Dad said, “During her life, Milly has undergone a number of surgeries on her heart and lower legs as a result of her condition. Marfan’s Syndrome is something that continues to affect Milly every day through her heart function, vision, hyper-mobility of joints, and her ability to walk long distances.
“While Milly has endured a number of challenges, her condition has also granted her an opportunity to participate and excel in a sport she truly loves,” added Rob.
Milly recently stepped onto an exciting high-performance pathway with Athletics New Zealand and is now working towards her goal of attending the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028.
What does the pathway to Paralympics 2028 look like?
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2024 – NZ Secondary School Championships
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2025 - NZ Nationals, Australian Nationals, World Para Athletics Championships, (location TBC)
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2026 - NZ Nationals, Australian Nationals, Commonwealth Games (Victoria, Australia),
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World Para Athletic Champs (location TBC)
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2027 - NZ Nationals, Australian Nationals, World Para Athletics Championships, (location TBC)
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2028 - NZ Nationals, Australian Nationals, World Para Athletics Championships (location TBC) AND Paralympics, Los Angeles!
If you would like to support Milly visit – givealittle.co.nz/cause/milly-marshall-kirkwood-pathway-to-paralympics-1
For more information about the Firstgas Community Fund visit -clarus.co.nz/about-us/community