Athletics: Kaitaia kids get set to go with champion Val

Val Adams has a laugh with local schoolkids at the A&P Showgrounds in Kaitaia. Photo / NZME.

Olympic champion Val Adams was greeted by more than 200 Northland schoolchildren as part of the 'Get Set Go event' in Kaitaia, bringing with her messages of living healthy and active lifestyles.

Spending the morning with the Year 1 and 2 students from 11 local schools in blustery conditions at the Kaitaia A&P Showgrounds, a sunglasses-wearing Adams displayed the no-nonsense manner which has seen her come to be virtually regarded as a national treasure.

While there were fun activities for all, the main attraction was the shot put legend, who came north as an ambassador for the New Zealand Post Community Tour.

She went on to note the programme was designed to promote a variety of sports and movement exercises to children.

"It's so important to connect with our communities, and if I can help inspire people through these events, then I've done my job," Adams said, adding the day was "not about finding the next Valerie Adams".

"[This event is] quite good to get our kids active and healthy, living a good life, living a healthy life."

The Get Set Go programme designed by Athletics New Zealand emphasises teaching basic movement skills and was hosted by the Kaitaia branch of Sport Northland, which arranged for 25 students per school to take part on the day.

The public also had the chance to meet Adams at the town post office during the afternoon.

Kaitaia was the last stop on the tour, with other legs held in Manukau, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Wainuiomata and Nelson over the past two weeks.

Adams said she expected to take four more weeks to recover from surgery before attending the IAAF awards ceremony in Monaco this month.

There, she will be reunited with coach Didier Poppe and the pair will begin preparing for the World Championships in China in August next year.