[1] The Otago football team that won the transtasman trophy in Wellington last weekend show off their spoils. The team is (from left): back row: coach Harley Rodeka, Thomas van der Lugt (24), Luke O'Neill (25), Levi Dodge (23) and manager Graeme Aitken. Front row: Thomas Cowie (27), Ricky White (20), Matt Aitken (20), Levi Buckingham (16) and Michael Wotton (20). Photo by Jane Dawber.
Holding their nerve at exactly the right time led to the Otago Special Olympics football side winning the inaugural transtasman championship in Wellington last weekend.
The side took on champion teams from New Zealand and Australia and came out on top in a tight final.
The side, playing five-a-side football, progressed through group games to take on Victoria in the final.
The Australian state side got off to a flying start and were soon two goals up but Otago fought back to level things up.
But the deadlock could not be broken and, as with so many football finals these days, penalties were the decider.
Goalkeeper Matt Aitken was to the fore, making two great saves, and then Victoria missed another shot.
The pressure then went on Ricky White to nail his penalty and he did the business to give Otago the title, 3-2 on penalties.
The side also won the sportsmanship award for its manner both on and off the field.
The side is coached by Otago United midfielder Harley Rodeka, with the team also playing futsal once a week to brush up on ball skills.
Otago's basketball team also performed well at the tournament, winning the bronze medal in the competition and a silver in the skills event.
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