News & Updates

Over two thousand budding young athletes are set to converge on Taranaki and Nelson for the latest instalment of the iconic Colgate Games, New Zealand’s biggest junior athletics festival.

For more than 40 years, the Colgate Games have given children aged from seven to 14 years the chance to foster a lifelong love of athletics, as well as making friends and developing strong sporting values.

The 2021 events are set to be even more special with those taking part sure to be further inspired soon after by the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, which are scheduled to be held just a few months later.

The North Island Colgate Games are up first in Inglewood from 8-10 January while the South Island Colgate Games will take place the following week in Nelson from 15-17 January.

As the focus is on fun and participation, entries were open to all children who belong to an affiliated athletics club, regardless of ability or experience. Ribbons and pennants are awarded for the seven to nine years category while those aged 10 to 14 will get the opportunity to run, jump or throw their way to the podium in a fun and encouraging environment.

Some are likely to go on to become household names and not just in the sport of athletics.

The Colgate Games have a proud list of alumni that includes the likes of Kiwi athletics icons Tom Walsh (shot put) and Nick Willis (middle distance) but also legends from other codes such as Jeff Wilson (rugby), Bernice Mene (netball) and Jeremy Christie (football), who went on to star for the All Blacks, Silver Ferns and All Whites respectively.

“The Colgate Games has become a rite of passage for so many Kiwis and I’m sure we’ll be seeing many more stars of tomorrow in action,” Athletics NZ Chief Executive Peter Pfitzinger says.

“There is always such a fun atmosphere at the Colgate Games and seeing the smiles on the faces of so many Kiwi kids as they enjoy being active and making friendships will be a great way to start an exciting summer season of track and field across the country.”

The young competitors won’t have to look far for inspiration with prominent athletes such as Eliza McCartney (pole vault), Zoe Hobbs (sprint) and Matt Baxter (long distance) attending some of the North Island event while Lauren Bruce (hammer) and Julian Matthews (middle distance) will both pay a visit to the South Island event.

The support of Colgate-Palmolive for the Colgate Games is one of the longest continuous sports sponsorships in New Zealand and was first established back in 1978.

This year, Colgate and Athletics NZ will again provide eight scholarships for athletes who display outstanding performances.

The eight scholarships – four awarded in the North and South Islands respectively – are named after Colgate Games alumnus Nick Willis and the funds will go towards helping the winning athletes achieve their athletics goals.

2021 North Island Colgate Games
8-10 January
Jubilee Park
Inglewood, Taranaki

2021 South Island Colgate Games
15-17 January
Saxton Field Sport Complex
Stoke, Nelson

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