Summer Season off to a Flying Start

Freshly painted grass tracks, excited kids running, jumping and throwing, and club night BBQs are all the rage as the summer track and field season kicks into gear. From clubs beginning their first season to those celebrating their 100th, engaging athletics programs are reaching local communities thanks to the dedication of thousands of volunteers and administrators. These volunteers ensure that everything from membership portals are setup to the sand is raked in the long jump pits. With the support of the new Athletics New Zealand regional development team. Together, they’re creating inclusive, thriving clubs and communities for athletes of all ages and abilities.

One of the season’s standout initiatives is the series of Para Athletics “Have a Go” days, led by Paralympian Holly Robinson and Athletics NZ Para Lead Raylene Bates. This program is offering young athletes with disabilities the chance to explore the sport in a welcoming, supportive environment, helping to shape the next generation of para athletes. Building off our Paralympians success in the 2024 Paralympic games, these events have been in hot demand with great attendance across the country.

Throughout the Hawkes Bay and Gisborne regions, local clubs are flourishing with new memberships, particularly among tamariki and rangatahi. Many smaller rural clubs are seeing growth like never before, spurred on by the dedication of new administrators and volunteers. The Central Hawkes Bay Athletics Club has had a roaring start to the season, experiencing a fivefold increase in membership—an inspiring milestone for a small-town club built on community commitment.

Athletics is also seeing a reinvigoration in the north! The newly formed Bream Bay Athletics Club is only a few weeks into the season but is having exciting uptake in both young athletes and parent volunteer support to get the club off the ground. With club nights held at Bream Bay College, their senior program kicks off at 3:45 PM allowing students to go straight from class into the club athletics programmes which supports parents and kids, making it easier to get involved.

In Whanganui, the start of the season has brought a fresh burst of energy with the successful relaunch of the Children’s Athletics Club. Led by primary school teacher and former athlete Paula Condor, along with Sport Whanganui’s Jodie Brunger, the club recently held a “Have a Go” night that attracted over 100 excited young athletes. Now combined under the name “Whanganui Club,” the athletics and harriers clubs offer summer and winter memberships, making it easier for locals to stay active year-round.

Gisborne Athletics Club has also secured consistent access to a covered space at Gisborne Central School, a game-changer for a club that previously had to cancel sessions at the first sign of rain. Thanks to the efforts of volunteer Jack Adams, athletes now have a reliable place to train, bringing newfound momentum and continuity to the season.

Auckland’s Waiuku Athletics has seen a revival as well, with over 150 young athletes and their families joining the club. Waiuku’s “Little Track” Under 7s program has been the driver of this new growth after a number of years of just having a single athlete representing the South Auckland club.

Athletics is also flourishing down south. In the stunning Queenstown, the local junior club Remarkable Runners has merged with their senior club Queenstown Athletics into one club under the Queenstown Athletics banner. With all new uniform, logos and website, the club is flourishing with their combined approach.
In only their second year, newly formed athletics club – Awatea Athletics has grown rapidly to almost 300 members. Identifying a lack of local club opportunities in the growing Wigram/Halswell area, the club was set up and is based out of the Nga Puna Wai sports hub.

Papamoa Athletics club in Tauranga and Whanganui Athletics in Whanganui have also seen significant growth in membership from the 23/24 season. Papamoa Athletics have a well established Run Jump Throw program that is bringing a great athletics experience to the club’s young athletes. In Whanganui the Whanganui Athletics Club has also seen similar growth. With resurfacing works occurring at the Cooks Gardens ahead of the Cooks Classic in 2025, the club has relocated their busy club nights to the grass track and Whanganui Collegiate School.

The drive to develop coaching talent has also been a highlight, with Auckland and Waikato Bay of Plenty hosting several Run Jump Throw and Coaching Athletic Development (CAD) Level 1 courses. Pakuranga Athletics Club has recently ran a well-attended CAD Level 1 course in hurdles, discus, and javelin, building a strong foundation of coaching support.

This season’s early successes reflect a remarkable commitment from community volunteers, each making a lasting impact on athletics in New Zealand. Their dedication, along with the resources and guidance from the Athletics NZ development team, is ensuring that athletics remains accessible, inclusive, and fun for all.