Athletics: Locals set for Colgate Games

The contingent representing Kaitaia Athletics Club at the Colgate Games in Hastings includes Mateja Matijevich (back middle), Phoenix Cassidy and Alexander Campbell Lewis and instructors Joanna Campbell and Pippa Campbell.

Four local athletes will represent the Kaitaia Athletics Club at the North Island Colgate Games in Hastings this weekend.

The contingent will again be led by Mateja Matijevich. At age 13, Mateja can be regarded as something of a veteran, with Hastings representing her third Colgate Games' campaign where she will be competing in the shot put and discus in her girls' age group.

She has claimed two gold medals at previous Colgate Games, and also holds a number of provincial records.

Marking their first Colgate Games are club rookies Alexander Campbell Lewis, Phoenix Cassidy and Latoya Marsh.

All are aged 10 and will be competing in the 100m, long jump, shot put and discus events in their respective boys' and girls' divisions.

The quartet will be accompanied by KAC instructors/ committee members Vanessa Matijevich, Pippa Campbell and Joanna Campbell.

On behalf of the group, Pippa thanked all the sponsors and individuals within the Kaitaia community for contributing to the substantial fundraising process required to cover accommodation and travelling expenses. The effort including baking, "lots of baking," she laughed.

More than 1100 children are expected to compete at the North Island Colgate Games which are being held at the Regional Sports Park in Hastings from Friday to Sunday, January 6, 7 and 8.

Some of these will also compete at the South Island Colgate Games being staged a week later in Invercargill, from January 13-15.

The two events cater to athletes aged from 7 to 14 (i.e. eight age grades in all) who can compete on the track (over 60, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500m distances) and field (in high jump, long jump, shot put and discus).