For Liam Wilson, this is where it all started.
Spotted at last year's Halberg Games, he's in the fast lane for success, training under the watchful eye of Raylene Bates in Athletics New Zealand's high performance programme.
"Already, just from training with her for 8-9 months, I've already improved so much," he says.
Wilson's a prime example of the opportunities the weekend-long event provides.
It's not only a way to help disabled youngsters get into sport, but also a breeding ground for future champions.
"We've identified a lot of our high performance athletes who are in our programme now from these Games," says Bates.
It's the start of a clear pathway for aspiring para-athletes and growing every year.
"Even though there was something around like this when I was little, it wasn't on the scale that we have it now," says 2016 Paralympics swimming bronze medallist Rebecca Dubber.
More resources and a better alignment with able-bodied sport have helped enhance opportunities in athletics.
"Five years ago, you were a para-athlete and you basically had to be a senior athlete and to me, that's what's gonna help our sport," says Bates.
More youth para-events around the world have also helped, providing more chances for athletes like Wilson to achieve his goals.
"Go to a Paralympics... or two, as many as I can and medal," he predicts.
And so far he's on track to making that happen.
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