The Kaitaia Athletic Club officially began for the summer season in balmy conditions on Tuesday night which had some suggesting summer was well on its way.
As per tradition, on behalf of the club, spokesperson Jaqi Brown, extended an open invitation to children and their families from the wider community to give athletics a go this summer season noting, "We encourage participation, enjoyment and achievement in the sport of athletics, through a fun, skills-based programme."
The club meets are held on the bottom fields of Kaitaia College (beside Pukepoto Road) by the gym every Tuesday from 5.30-7pm. Tuesday's opening gathering served as a free 'give it a go' day for interested newbies.
Roberta Murray will be running the club's under-7s activities, based on the Get, Set, Go programme; while Paul Scutt will be offering a targeted, specialised programme to the older competitive athletes, i.e. those aged 10 and older, from next month. The club was also seeking parents and volunteers to help out on club nights. Parent coaches will be offered basic training in the run-jump-throw programme, which is being introducing this season for 7- to 12-year-olds.
The season fees are a very reasonable at $20 per child or $50 per whnau, i.e. of three or more children, and not payable until November 11. There were other additional fees for those whose children wished to compete regionally or nationally, and club singlets were also available at $20 each.
