SETTING THE PACE: Kerikeri athlete Imogen Hull is one of the youth ambassadors backing the new Bay Athletics Club.
A new athletics club for the Bay of Islands will be launched at Bledisloe Domain, Haruru Falls Road, on Saturday (10am-3pm). Everyone will be welcome to play a game of ki-o-rahi or softball, test the new 100m grass track, have a go at shot put or try the high jump.
Parents will be able to join the adults' races and sign up their kids.
Weavers will on hand to keep parents or less sporting types occupied by weaving flax and pingao into flowers and wristbands.
And on Sunday (10am-1pm) the brand new club will stage a championship day for children keen to set the club's first records.
The Bay Athletics Club, under the auspices of the Kai Matariki Trust, will initially cater for children aged 7-14, but will eventually take in intermediate and open grades. Uniquely, it will incorporate traditional Maori sports in its athletics roster. It will be open to all, including children with disabilities.
Northland youth ambassadors who have pledged their support include Kerikeri running champ Imogen Hull, Northern Mystics goal shoot Elsa Brown and ex-New Zealand women's footballer, Maia Jackman.
