Colgate Games test young athletes

The 38th annual Colgate Games for children aged seven to 14 will involve 2000 athletes from more than 100 athletics clubs at two major events in January.

The North Island Colgate Games take place at Manawatu Community Athletics Track, Palmerston North, on January 8-10 with the South Island Games to be held at Saxton Oval, Nelson, on January 15-17.

Bay of Plenty clubs will send 50 athletes to Palmerston North with six others competing in Nelson.

Greerton Athletics Club has the largest representation with 16 and club president for the last five years, Bruce Habgood, says the games are a very good test for the athletes to compare their abilities at a national level.

"It is quite a massive event and the kids get a real buzz out of it because there are medals up for grabs. It is seen as quite a prestigious event because you have teams from Australia coming over to compete in preparation for their own national championships. Because they are up against the best in the country those sort of performances do tend to come through," he said.

"So to win a medal you know you have done well. Most of the kids are rapt if they can set personal bests and that is the one thing we have always stressed with the kids who go there is win or lose, if you are setting personal bests in whatever you are doing then you can walk away very happily.

"It is also a lot of fun. There is a great atmosphere there. It is almost like a mini-Commonwealth Games for children and amongst the competitors it has a very good feel about it too so kids come away from it with a real neat experience."

Next year's Colgate Games ambassador is New Zealand champion 1500m runner Julian Matthews who is excited to check out the sporting talent on offer at this year's games.

"I remember when I competed at the Colgate Games, it was the most nervous I had ever been, but having the opportunity to compete against a great calibre of athletes really prepared me for my professional sporting career today."

Matthews, who is aiming for the Olympics next year after competing in this year's IAFF World Championships and last year's Commonwealth Games, says the games provide great competition and it's vital for young athletes to experience the competitive atmosphere.

"It's also important to realise that it's not always about winning," he said.

As well as medal glory, Nick Willis Scholarships are on offer to athletes who have outstanding performances throughout the Colgate Games. The scholarship gives recipients funds to put towards sports gear, coaching, travel and other resources to help them achieve their athletics goals.

-Information: www.nzchildrensathletics.co.nz