👟 Give Your Child a Summer Sport They’ll Love!
🌞 A Healthy, Happy Way to Spend Summer
Looking for a sport that keeps your child active, confident, and connected? Athletics is the perfect fit — and this summer, there are exciting opportunities for kids to shine, grow, and belong.
🏃♀️ Six Ways to be Involved
Whether your child is new to sport or exploring a range of sports, there’s something for everyone in a summer full of athletics fun and friends:
- Weekly Club nights – This is where your child will learn new skills, make new friends, be device free, and enjoying being outdoors in the summertime at your local athletics club.
- GO! Series – This is a series of five fun, fast-paced inter-club competition events held from November to March with the emphasis on ensuring the kids are involved in lots of athletics. Described as athletics at its funnest, fastest, BEST! An enjoyable event for athletes and parents alike.
- Dame Valerie Adams Ribbon Day Series – A celebration of participation and effort, where every child gets a ribbon and every moment is cheered. Perfect for younger athletes and first-timers.
- Championship Events – For those ready to test their skills, these events offer a chance to compete, improve, and represent their club with pride.
- Regional Challenge Days – Represent your region as your child competes with their teammates against athletes from other regions including the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Northland.
- Colgate Games – Held at different locations throughout the North Island and South Island in early January, what better way to see the Country than via a children’s athletics event that has been going for almost 50 years.
Experience the events available–
______
VIDEO 1 – Junior video and GO! Series Video here
______
🧡 Athletics Welcomes Every Child
No matter your child’s age, body type, or experience level, athletics offers a safe, supportive space to move, learn, and grow.
From energetic sprinters to curious beginners, every child is valued and encouraged to give everything a go and find enjoyment in taking part.
💪 Why Athletics is Great for Kids
- Builds fitness, coordination, and confidence
- Teaches goal setting, resilience, and teamwork
- Supports physical and mental wellbeing
- Connects kids with positive role models and community
- Make new friends and experience the joy of being part of a larger community
🏅 Every Effort Counts
Whether your child is chasing PBs or simply giving it a go, they’re part of something bigger — a community that celebrates effort, progress, and participation.
💬 What Parents Say
“My child found their confidence, made new friends, and couldn’t wait for the next event.”
Hear what parents say about the benefits their kids get from being involved in athletics:
______
VIDEO 2 – Two parent videos
_______
🔥 A Sport for All Seasons
Whether you’re wrapping up a winter season, looking for a summer sporting fix, or lacing up after time away, athletics is calling — and the McKinnon Shield Series is your chance to answer.
🤝 One Club, One Team, and together, One Quest
Athletics isn’t just about individual performance. It’s about teamwork, club pride, and the thrill of competing side by side with your mates in a club competition like no other.
Males, females, and para-athletes all compete together, for the same club, at the same time — building points, momentum, and memories as one united team in a season long quest to be crowned McKinnon Shield Champions.
____
VIDEO 3 – McKinnon Shield video
____
⚖️ Fair and Fun for Everyone
With seeded events, you’ll compete against athletes of similar ability — making every race competitive, enjoyable, and a chance to shine. Whether you’re chasing podiums, smashing PB’s or just enjoying the experience, there’s a lane for you.
🧡 Athletics Has a Place for You
No matter your age, body shape, or experience level, there’s a space for you in athletics.
From sprinters to throwers, teens to masters, beginners to seasoned pros — athletics welcomes everyone.
You don’t have to look a certain way or be a certain speed. You just have to show up.
You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
💪 Why Join This Summer?
- Winter athletes: stay fit, fast, and game-ready
- Returning athletes: reignite your rhythm and rediscover your edge
- Beginning athletes: try something new in a fun, supportive environment
- Everyone: contribute to your club’s success in the McKinnon Shield
- Enjoy a sport that’s inclusive, energizing, and seriously rewarding
🏆 Every Effort Counts
Performance and participation both earn points — so whether you’re sprinting, throwing, jumping, or simply showing up, you’re helping your club climb the leaderboard.
🥇 Medals for Top Clubs
Athletes in the top 3 clubs at the end of the season receive medals — a reward for commitment, contribution, and club spirit.
👑 Chase the Shield
Help your club be crowned McKinnon Shield champions.
Athletics is your new summer sport fix — where individual effort fuels team success, and every athlete plays a part in something unforgettable.
💬 What Athletes Say
“I was a runner for many years but reached a stage where injuries meant I was unable to run anymore. Through athletics I took up throwing events such as discus, shotput, hammer and javelin meaning I could stay involved in a sport, but without the need for running. I haven’t looked back since.” – James Thomas (Masters Athlete)
Hear what our athletes say about what they enjoys about athletics:
____
VIDEO 4 – Two athletes videos
____
📅 Season Starts towards the beginning of October
Grab your mates, dust off your spikes, and let’s make this season one to remember.
🏃♂️ Love Sport? Help Make It Happen
Athletics needs more than athletes to thrive — it needs passionate, reliable people to help run the show.
Whether you’re a parent, coach, former athlete, or just someone who loves being part of the action, officiating is your chance to make a real difference.
🎯 What Do Officials Do?
Officials are the backbone of every meet. They help ensure events run smoothly, fairly, and safely — from measuring jumps and timing races to supporting athletes and celebrating their efforts.
💡 No Experience? No Problem.
We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
You’ll start with simple roles, learn on the job, and grow at your own pace. There’s training, mentoring, and a welcoming community ready to support you.
🙌 Why Officiate?
- Be part of the moments that matter.
- Whether you have had previous involvement or no involvement, officiating is for everyone.
- No one is closer to the action than an official.
- Learn new skills and meet great people
- Enjoy flexible involvement — from casual help to national-level officiating
- Be part of a team that values fairness, fun, and community
🌟 Every Role Matters
Whether you’re helping at a local Ribbon Day or supporting a Championship event, your contribution helps create unforgettable experiences for athletes of all ages and abilities. You will meet great people and work as a team to deliver a range of different events for each competition day.
📣 Hear From Our Officials
“Officiating is the best seat in the stadium, and I get to do it with a group of enthusiastic friendly people. There is nothing better!” – Ray Morgan (Official)
“I wish I had discovered athletics officiating earlier. It is great to be involved with fantastic people and part of a team giving athletes an opportunity to shine” – Errol Flynn (Official)
Hear what our officials say about being involved:
____
VIDEO 5 – one videos
____
📅 Opportunities All Season Long
From weekend meets to major events, there’s a role for you.
Step into officiating and discover a new way to be part of the sport.
🚦 Ready to Get Started?
Reach out to your local club or Athletics NZ to learn more.
We’ll help you find the right fit — and get you started with confidence.