Summer athletics (terms 4 & 1)

 

Our junior summer athletics programme runs on Wednesday evenings from 6pm October-March. In 2024 our season starts on Wednesday 16 October.

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Our goal over the summer is to grow healthy, happy, all-round athletes. 

 

We encourage kids to have a go at everything in a positive, supportive environment, with lots of opportunities to participate and - if they want to - compete.

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Introducing our junior squads for summer 2024/25

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Halberg Squad (Under 7s - born 2018 or later)

 

Our under 7s are coached by Winona, Kaitlyn and Jordan. 

 

They follow Athletics New Zealand's Get Set Go programme, which includes running (up to 25 metres), long jump, and a range of other activities designed to develop body movement and coordination skills. Lots of fun. Lots of games. Lots of action. 

Parent/caregiver help is essential - adults must be available on club nights to support their child/ren and the coaches.

Snell Squad (7-9 year olds - born 2015, 2016, 2017) 

 

7-9 year olds are led by external coaches who base their programme on Athletics New Zealand’s Run, Jump, Throw programme. 

 

At this age, the emphasis is still on movement and coordination, trying everything and having fun but there is more emphasis on skills development for running, jumping (long and high jump, depending on age) and throwing (discus, shot put). 

 

Parent/caregiver support is essential as it allows our coaches to focus on coaching. 

Lydiard Squad (10+ - born 2014 or earlier) 

 

10+. Led by Nanne and Josef (jumps), TeRina (throws), Dion & Nick (runs).

 

This group follows a rotation - each week athletes do a running activity and one field activity. The idea here is to give everyone a go, experience all the events, and introduce some more specialist technical skills development. From 7.00 - 7.30 there’s optional extra coaching for those who want to do more, and if we’re not competing at weekends, there’s often a skills clinic at Owai focused on sprints, jumps or throws and a middle distance session at one of our nearby parks.

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Senior sprint squad (all year)

Led by Murray and Selena.

 

This group trains throughout the year on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5.30pm. They focus on developing speed. Sprint training is more specialised and we don’t recommend specialisation too early. Athletes need a level of maturity and commitment for this programme.

 

Generally athletes in this squad are high school age and above - adults and masters sprinters welcome too.

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Events and competitions

If athletes are keen, there are opportunities to participate in weekend events and competitions throughout the summer, from informal ribbon days to championship events. 
 

Ribbon Days (2-14 yrs)

Saturday 9 November – Ron Keat Ribbon Day - Papakura

Sunday 17 November - Riverhead Ribbon Day

Sunday 22 December – Pakuranga Ribbon Day
 

GO! Series (5-14 yrs)

Saturday 16 November – GO! Day 1 @ Pakuranga

Sunday 8 December – GO! Day 2 - @ Douglas Track

Saturday 1 February – GO! Day 3 @ Mt Smart

Saturday 15 February – GO! Day 4 @ Mt Smart

Saturday 8 March – GO! Day 5 @ Mt Smart

 

Colgate Games (7-14 yrs) 

North Island (Hastings) & South Island (Christchurch) competitions over a weekend in January.

NB entries close Friday 8 November

Central North West and Auckland Championship days
relays & individual events

 

McKinnon Shield (athletes aged 12+ in the year of competition)

Weekend competitions throughout the summer for our older juniors, seniors and masters athletes. Entries close the Wednesday before the event.
 

More details on the Athletics Auckland calendar. 

 

Our own club multi-event champs (March 2025)

We don’t measure and time athletes every week at club night. Instead, the focus is on skills acquisition and development, and maximising participation. We do, however, keep track of progress throughout the season.

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