Jeremy Faumuinā wears many hats – Police social worker, basketball coach, board member, advocate and mentor among them – but there is a common thread that ties them all: an unwavering commitment to serve.
One community that Jeremy is particularly passionate to serve is athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) and his commitment has now been recognised. Jeremy has been awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill Fellowship, a scholarship that will take him across the globe to learn how other countries support high-performance athletes with ID.
For Jeremy, pictured right, the Fellowship is a privilege but also a huge opportunity. “This isn’t just about sport – it’s about unlocking potential,” he says.
“There is no ceiling to what any human can achieve. We are only limited by our imagination.”
Jeremy's passion for coaching athletes with intellectual disabilities was sparked by his 19-year-old daughter Rosa.
“Rosa has an intellectual disability, and our family has walked this path beside her. We’ve seen the barriers, and we’ve felt the lack of support and opportunities.”
Rosa is a talented basketball player, representing the Canterbury Basketball A team at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Christchurch this month.
Jeremy was beside her all the way, as her dad, coach and number one fan.
“I'm so proud of her, and the team. Watching our athletes compete was incredible,” he says. “They have so much talent, but the opportunities are limited.
“Special Olympics is fantastic, it provides amazing opportunities and experiences for so many people, but it’s not designed for high-performance athletes. That’s why this Fellowship matters – it’s about giving athletes with ID the same opportunities as other athletes.
“Right now, there’s no clear national pathway unless families have private connections offshore,” Jeremy explains.
The Fellowship will fund travel to Japan, Spain and Australia, where Jeremy will study successful models for developing elite ID athletes. His goal is to bring back strategies that can help create a sustainable pathway for these athletes, particularly in basketball.
Beyond sport, Jeremy sees this work as a way to strengthen Police’s engagement with vulnerable youth.
“Sport provides structure, identity and belonging – protective factors that reduce disengagement and antisocial behaviour,” he says.
“This knowledge will help us understand neurodivergence better, improve frontline capability, and build trust with young people who often feel misunderstood.”
Jeremy will share his findings through community hui, workshops, and reports for schools, coaches and sports organisations.
“My passion is people, especially those left behind due to misunderstanding or stigma,” he says.
“This project is about creating inclusive, aspirational futures for our next generation of athletes.”