Team Parkinson's New Zealand

Parkinson’s New Zealand

Parkinson's New Zealand provides: Education, Information and Support for all people with Parkinson's, their caregivers, friends and families.

Swimming for Parkinson's New Zealand is Richard Lockhart, Natalie Wiegersma, Daniel Bell and Juliette Drysdale.

Richard Lockhart – Captain

Richard represented New Zealand at the 1988 Olympic Games and the 1990 and 1986 Commonwealth Games.

Richard continues to swim today in masters events and has competed at the past two World Masters Games (2009 and 2013) where he claimed six gold medals in the pool.

In 2014 Richard was named New Zealand Masters Swimmer of the Year at the annual Swimming New Zealand Awards.

Natalie Wiegersma

Natalie has represented New Zealand at an Olympic Games (2012), Commonwealth Games (2010) and Pan Pacific Championships (2010).

At the Dehli 2010 Commonwealth Games Natalie was 4^th in the 200m individual medley.

Natalie was a New Zealand champion in the 200m and 400m individual medley from 2009 to 2012 and is the current New Zealand record holder for the 200m individual medley.

Daniel Bell

Daniel has represented New Zealand at two Olympic Games, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

He also competed at the Delhi 2010 where he was a silver medallist in the 100m backstroke.

Daniel is the current New Zealand record holder in the 50m backstroke. He is also part of the team that hold the New Zealand relay record for the 4x100m medley.

Juliette Drysdale (nee Haigh)

Juliette is a former New Zealand Olympic rower. She claimed bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the women’s coxless pair with Rebecca Scown.

Juliette has also had plenty of success in the coxless pair at World Championships and World Cup regattas. In total collecting three gold and one silver World Championship medals and five gold and two silver World Cup medals from 2005 to 2011.

Juliette officially retired from competitive rowing in 2012 and is now married to fellow Olympic rower Mahe Drysdale.