Jaden Movold

(19) PARA ATHLETE

Former Rangitoto College deputy head boy Jaden Movold is a nationally classified T54 para wheelchair racer, competing in distances from 100m to 10km. He holds numerous NZ Age Group Records, has won multiple national titles and medals from the Australian National Championships.

Jaden has previously been recognised by the North Harbour Club for his service and sports achievements with an AIMES Junior Excellence Award in 2015.

In January, Jaden competed in the 2023 International Summer Down Under Wheelchair Racing Series in Canberra, achieving 4 out of 7 personal bests and securing a bronze as part of the Australian National Champs in the 5000m. He also competed in the Athletics Australian Capital Territory Championships, where he placed first in the U20 Men’s Wheelchair for the 100m, 200m, 400m, 500m, and 1500m, achieving personal bests in all distances.

As a result of these recent successes Jaden is ranked between 1st and 3rd in the world for the U20 men’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 5000m events.

Living with spina bifida, Jaden has been a para-athlete for most of his life, competing in triathlons, wheelchair basketball, and swimming for many years to a high level. Since 2019 his focus has been on wheelchair racing. He is also a second-year university student studying psychology at AUT.

Jaden is very active in the community, is an ambassador of the Yes Disability Resource Centre and Achilles International NZ. He also serves on the Ministry of Youth Development Youth Advisory Group, the Auckland Transport Capital Projects Accessibility Group, the Halberg Youth Council, and the National I.Lead Committee, representing the voices of young disabled New Zealanders working towards a more inclusive New Zealand.

Jaden also speaks publicly to schools, community groups, and organisations on his journey and the use of resilience to achieve goals. He’s also a part-time coach working with young disabled athletes through Disability Sport Auckland. In addition to his sports aspirations, he is committed to working hard in his advocacy work (especially around disabled people’s access to sports) and leadership roles within the community.

AIMES Scholarship funds will be used to increase his international racing opportunities. For 2024 and beyond, Jaden's goals are to keep traveling internationally to train and compete while balancing studies and community commitments.