Colgates more than just a Games

COLGATE KIDS: Gisborne Athletics Club members who competed at the North Island Colgate Games are (from left) Thora Pocock, Hinerauiri Cotter-Luke, Ahenata Cotter-Luke, Breanna Iremonger, Bobbi-Atawhai Crawford, Pounamu Wharehinga (back), Hannah O’Connor, Taimarie Matahiki, Briana Irving and Seven Mapu. Absent: Zoe Robinson, Jade Robinson, Steven Morgan, Hannah Veitch, Maddie Wilson and Seb Wilson (the Wilsons competed at the South Island Colgate Games. Picture by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE athletes are already looking to 2017 after success at Colgate Games children’s meetings in the North and South islands.

But it was not all about medals and ribbons for the Gisborne contingent, the bulk of whom went to the North Island games in Palmerston North.

Pitting their skills and mixing with athletes from various centres proved a great experience, which enhanced their enthusiasm for the sport.

“It’s a good opportunity to compete with talented athletes,” said middle-distance star Briana Irving, who won gold in the 13yrs girls’ 800 and 1500 metres.

One of “the great things” about the games was going to new places, meeting new people and making friends, said Maddie Wilson, whose family decided to attend the South Island games in Nelson.

Gisborne athletes collected four medals at the North Island games and Wilson followed that up with gold in the 13 years girls’ high jump.

Younger brother Seb (10) also competed, finishing sixth in the high jump, 10th in the 400m and making the semifinals of the 200 metres.

Pounamu Wharehinga was rapt with her silver in the 10yrs girls’ high jump at Palmerston North.

“Buzzed to win my first medal in tough competition. I was very happy and privileged to represent the whanau,” she said.

High jump bronzeHannah couldn’t quite emulate her golden performance of last year but still managed bronze in the 13yrs girls’ high jump.

“I was really pleased. I would have liked to have defended my title from last year but the competition was tough.”

Gisborne athletes also featured in the under-10 ribbon age group divisions.

Jade Robinson (9) was third in the 100 and 200m in her divisions; Bobbi-Atawhai Crawford (8) won the 100 and 200 and was second in the 60m and long jump; Hannah O’Connor (8) was first in the long jump and 200m and third in the 100m and 60m; Ahenata Cotter-Luke (8) was second in the 60m.

The Gisborne 8yrs girls’ relay team of Thora Pocock, Ahenata, Bobbi-Atawhai and Hannah were second in their division.

The Colgate Games have been running for nearly 40 years and are New Zealand’s biggest annual children’s athletics event.

One of the main aims of the games is to encourage children to continue to pursue athletics. Many youngsters who went on to become star athletes in various sports competed at the games over the years including Silver Ferns and All Blacks.

Gisborne athletes won’t have too far to go next year. The 2017 North Island games are being held in Hastings.