Going for games glory

Okara Educare athletes line up in the opening ceremony of the Educare Games at ASB Stadium in Kensington.

With New Zealand fast approaching a record Commonwealth Games gold medal tally, Whangarei youngsters have been making their own push for games glory.

Almost 200 children aged 2-5 from Whangarei's eight Educare centres converged at the ASB Stadium in Kensington on Tuesday for the third annual Educare Games.

The games included activities and challenges such as a ball and spoon race, obstacle courses, and moonhopper races and each Educare centre represented a country competing in the games.

BIG GUNS: Tyler Smeath, 4, pulls himself along in one of the challenges at the Educare Games on Tuesday.

To give the games even more athletic credibility Commonwealth Games silver medallist triathlete Sam Warriner was the flag-bearer for the event.

And judging by the expressions on the children's faces, a lot of fun was had by all.

The day was also made possible by volunteers from Sport Northland and Whangarei Girls' High School and Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham was there.