Start of new athletics season holds future's promise

THE VENUE: Cooks Gardens takes centre stage in the athletics season. PHOTO/FILE A-071214WCBRCATH20

The new athletics season is almost upon us and the increase of phone and email enquiries suggest that many are thinking of summer.

I will endeavour to answer many of the questions asked about Athletics Wanganui.

Last year for the first time, the club split out organised children's athletics to Monday with the senior club continuing on Tuesdays. The reason for the split was that there are a large number of children's sporting activities beingrun on Tuesdays and it was felt that as a core activity it was important that children should be able to take part in more than one activity.

Athletics with its running jumping, throwing and movement skills, all of which are vital ingredients of all sporting activity should be encouraged along with sports such as touch.

This move proved successful and will be continued with a start on Monday, October 12.

The Children's Club targets children from Year 1 to 6 and also includes activities for pre-school children. The club evenings start at 4.15pm each Monday.

Children in Year 7 and 8 are also welcome at either the children's section or to compete alongside younger athletes in the senior section (secondary school through to masters). They can attend both evenings, perhaps training on the Monday and competing on Tuesdays.

The senior club events are held on Tuesday evenings starting at 6.45pm. The opening night is Tuesday, October 6, with a shortened programme concluding with the AGM to be held at Cooks Gardens at 8pm. We would welcome any to attend the AGM (you will not be landed with a job if you attend). However, we would also welcome new faces who wish to contribute to our activities.

The full programmes start on Tuesday, October 13, with the regular start time of 6.45pm concluding by 8.15pm.

There are three main programmes. The A programme is based around the 100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump and shot in the field.

The B programme is based around the 200m, 800m, 3000m/5000m, walk, high jump and discus in the field.

The C programme has 60m, 150m, 300m, the popular 2000m road race, hurdles and javelin and hammer.

The A programme on the 12th and the B programme on the 20th also contain the Wanganui Collegiate Open Championship run with the evening events which are open to all athletes.

All programmes appear regularly and just about evenly throughout the season.

The full programme is on our website www.athleticswanganui.co.nz

The timed programme for each Tuesday and the following Tuesday appear each Tuesday with results appearing on Wednesday or Thursday each week.

We are happy to receive requests for additional events but ask for these to be made eight days in advance so they can appear on the week ahead of timed posting.

All is in place for next month. The seniors as indicated above start on Tuesday 6th with a modified and shortened C programme followed by the AGM.

The children start six days later on Monday, October 12. In both sections we are happy for children and older athletes to have a taster before fully registering with the club.

Next week, I will focus on athletes who might be making the stories over the 2015-16 season. It is hoped we can continue our recent run of success and, once again, be an important pathway in the lives of young athletes. There are a whole host of potential Lucy van Dalens in every community. Our task is to inspire and make it possible.