RARING TO GO: Five Gisborne athletes will compete in the North Island Colgate Games in Auckland from Friday. They are, back (from left): Evelyn Busher, Jack Sadler and Hinerauiri Cotter-Luke. Front: Hannah O’Connor and Ahenata Cotter-Luke. Picture supplied
RARING TO GO: Five Gisborne athletes will compete in the North Island Colgate Games in Auckland from Friday. They are, back (from left): Evelyn Busher, Jack Sadler and Hinerauiri Cotter-Luke. Front: Hannah O’Connor and Ahenata Cotter-Luke. Picture supplied
FIVE young athletes from Gisborne Athletic Club will be among 1500 competitors taking part in the North Island leg of the 40th anniversary Colgate Games.
The Colgate Games are New Zealand’s junior athletics championships. The North Island event takes place at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland from Friday to Sunday.
This year the North Island Games have drawn entries from 165 clubs across the North and South islands, as well as competitors from Australia and Fiji. Athletes range in age from seven to 14.
The Gisborne athletes attending are Evelyn Busher, Jack Sadler, Hinerauiri Cotter-Luke, Hannah O’Connor and Ahenata Cotter-Luke.
These will be the first Colgate Games for Evelyn and Jack, the second for Hinerauiri and Ahenata, and the third for Hannah.
The South Island Colgate Games will be held in Timaru from January 12 to 14. About 1000 athletes from 64 clubs are expected.
Eight scholarships worth $700 each will be provided to athletes who perform to an outstanding level. The scholarships — four each to the North and South islands — are named after former Colgate Games competitor and two-time Olympic 1500-metre medallist Nick Willis.
The money is to go towards the achievement of the athletics goals of the recipients.
