JUNIOR SPORT - On your marks for junior athletic season

Hordes of lively youngsters are expected to turn up at Kensington Park when the new junior athletic season opens on Monday.
The weekly 5.30pm meets are popular with Laeonie McKinnon, the Athletic Whangarei Club organiser, preparing a programme for 70 or more children ranging in age from tiny-tots (under six) to 12-year-olds.
The tiny-tots, who must be accompanied by an adult, take part in shorter runs and other suitable events, while older children are encouraged to compete in a wide range of events, including sprints, relays, hurdles, discus, shot and high jump. The overall emphasis is on having fun rather than being fiercely competitive.
The long jump is one event that will be missing from Monday's programme until the new all-weather track is ready. Until then, there is no long jump pit. Another temporary difference will be the length of the track, which is 300 metres instead of the standard 400 metres.
Completion of the new track will boost children's athletics McKinnon says.
"It's exciting ... once the new track's in place, things will open up so much for the talented kids we've got here in Whangarei. I see children's athletics getting bigger and better," she said.
Young athletes wanting the challenge and excitement of stiffer competition than the weekly club meeting can aim for the annual Colgate Games, in Wanganui, from January 9-11.
"It's an eye-opener for them - completely different from being here in Northland," Catherine Ryan, an Athletics Whangarei official, said.
"But the 7, 8 and 9-year-olds don't compete in finals - and the placegetters in these groups receive banners. It's not quite so intimidating for them ... and they come away with something which encourages them."
Organisers stress the importance of parents being present to support their children and are appreciative when parents offer to help as officials.
For more information about the Whangarei meeting, phone: Laeonie McKinnon, 438 8108; or Catherine Ryan, 027 22251449; or Carol Carter, 437 1216.
As well as Athletics Whangarei's Monday meets at Kensington Park, children's athletics meetings are planned for: Kamo, on Thursday, opening October 16, at 4.30pm; Whangarei Harbour, Wednesday, October 22, 5.30pm; Kaiwaka, Monday, November 3, 5pm; Wellsford, Tuesdays, October 21, 6pm; Waipu and Kaitaia, week beginning October 20, day and time to be announced; Taipa and Kerikeri, date, day and time to be announced.