Athletics: Whangarei prepares for budding stars

Scott Gregory, 15, from the Athletics Whangarei club, gets in some shot put practice ahead of the Colgate Games at Whangarei this weekend. Scott is also competing in the discus, 100 metre hurdles and 100 metre sprint in the games. Photo/John Stone

More than 1000 young athletes will descend on Whangarei this week for the Colgate Games - New Zealands's national junior athletics championships.

The North Island leg of the Colgate Games will be held at the Whangarei athletics track at Kensington Park from tomorrow to Sunday with 1054 young athletes, including 181 from Northland, taking part.

The games are open to athletes from 7 to 14 and have been the launching pad for Olympic silver medallist runner Nick Willis and the next big thing in shot put, Jacko Gill, so the next generation of track and field stars will be on show at Kensington this weekend.

Gill - the youngest male junior world champion and multiple world record holder - said the Colgate Games motivated him to pursue athletics full-time.

His advice to Colgate Games athletes this week isn't as simple as aiming for gold.

"Aim for your personal best instead of aiming for medals. You can't control what your competition does, you can only control what you throw, or run, or jump," he said.

"I heard a quote the other day that I quite like 'You have to learn to lose before you can win.' I lost a lot of competitions when I was young, but it just made me stronger. Concentrate on improving your performance, and every competition you go to, try and get your personal best. One day, you'll win the competition and you can celebrate then."

Athletics Whangarei junior track and field programme manager Sheelagh Prosser said Northland is well represented with children from Athletics Whangarei, Hokianga Athletics Club, Kaitaia Athletic Club, Kaiwaka AAC, Kamo AAC, Kerikeri Striders, Warkworth Athletic & Harrier Club and Wellsford Athletic Club.

They can compete in up to four track and/or field events in their grade, plus relay events.

"Hosting the 2014 NI Colgate games will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase our new ASB track, stadium and athletics facilities," Ms Prosser said.

The event is expected to pump tens of thousands of dollars into the local economy as the children will be accompanied by many adults. Visitors are likely to be staying the weekend.

Entry is $6 for an adult day pass or $15 for a weekend adult pass. Child passes are free.