News & Updates

Athletics NZ’s premier competition, the 2023 Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships at Newtown Park, Wellington, will take place as a four-day event (Thursday 2- Sunday 5 March) with the addition of the introduction of an under-16 division into the programme.

In March, the 2022 edition of the championships was amended to a four-day event from its traditional three-day format because of the need to adhere to strict Covid-related bubble sizes. However, the four-day programme was very well received in the athletics community and given the new under-16 division will join the U18/U20 and open categories – having the competition across four days is a logical outcome.

The introduction of an under-16 grade into the New Zealand Track & Field Championships can be viewed as a natural stepping-stone on the athlete development pathway beyond the Colgate Games, which has an upper age limit of 14. Meanwhile, the implementation of the under-16 competition is part of the wider strategy of Athletics NZ to address the issue of retention of our rangatahi.

Athletics NZ will be hosting a series of youth focus groups across New Zealand in the coming weeks to hear the voice of young people and gain a clear understanding of how the event might work for them.   

Athletics NZ Young People’s Lead Fiona Maisey said: “With limited large scale competitions available to rangatahi, young athletes are looking for opportunities to improve their skills, challenge their ability and connect with other like-minded young people from across New Zealand. The addition of an U16 grade at the NZ Track & Field Champs helps keep athletics as a focus for young teenagers.

“We are mindful that these young people are still discovering what parts of the sport are best suited to them, so a Balance is Better approach is central to the development of the competition details. We are excited by the opportunity this addition gives for us to co-design the details with young people.”

The final schedule for the 2023 Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships has not yet been finalised but all grades are planned to be spread over three days with the U16 and U18 athletes chiefly competing on Thursday through to Saturday and the U20 and open division starting on Friday through to Sunday. The 2023 championships take place from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 March.