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| Competitions |
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There are three external competitions that children can participate in during the season. Further details will be in the weekly club newsletters closer to each competition.
RIBBON DAYS
On Saturdays throughout the season, 'Ribbon Days' are held in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty area. These are children's athletic meets which provide opportunities to compete (in a friendly manner) with children from other clubs. Attendance is usually 250-350 children.
The name of 'Ribbon Day' is because children get a ribbon (i.e. red for First, blue for Second, and green or yellow for Third) for the placings in the events. There is a deliberate attempt to organise the races so that all children will get at least one ribbon for the day. However, only registered athletes (with their age flash) can participate. Club uniform is a definite requirement of the 7-14 year olds.
Ribbon Days commence at 10.00 am, there is a lunch break at about 12.15/1.00 pm, and a finish time of about 3.30 pm. The days end with age-group relays, which are very exciting. Even the 3-6 year olds take part in 'shuttle relays'.
The settings of the athletic grounds are quite attractive and, being fine weather, the day is usually quite pleasant. Fairfield Club has a large tent/tarpaulin which gives good shade and many families also bring sun umbrellas. All places have a 'tuck shop' which sell a wide range of food and drink. It is a great way of seeing the countryside and using up part of the weekend.
For a list of the Ribbon Days for the 2001/2002 season see our Calendar page.
The Walking Championships (open to 12-14 year olds) will be at the relay champs of 8 December, and the Triple Jump Championships (open to 13-14 year olds) are scheduled for 2 February at our Ribbon Day at Porritt Stadium
NB: The Waikato Secondary School Champs are on 16 March,, and the North Island Secondary School Champs are on 23-24 March.
WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIPS
These are the championships for all the 7-14 year olds in our area. As noted above, the relay championships will be on 8 December at Porritt Stadium (but there may be Ribbon Day events as well), the Area Championships (any 7-14 year old can enter) will be on 23 February, and the Waikato Children's Championships (four best in each event from the four Area Champs) are at Porritt Stadium on 9 March.
COLGATE GAMES
Colgate/Palmolive are the major sponsor of children's athletics in New Zealand. Every year, there is a Colgate Games, and the 2001/2 North Island Games are at Wanganui over 4-6 January. There are more than 1200 children at these games every year.
This is an excellent opportunity for your children to compete against others in their age group in the North Island. Events for the 10-14 year olds follow the heats/semi-finals/finals format (with medals), and the 7-9 year olds are 'heats only' or by groupings of 6-8 children so that the first three in each race/event get a pennant. All children, irrespective of their ability, get a Games participation ribbon.
Our club usually has about 40-50 competitors present (plus many family members). We have already booked a motel but many others find their own accommodation with friends and relatives.
The South Island Colgate Games are in Blenheim over 11-13 January 2002. Children from the North Island can also compete, and some do as part of their holidays down south.
And if you want to plan your holidays for January 2003, the North Island Games will be at Auckland.
INTERPROVINCIAL COMPETITIONS
Every year, the 12-14 year olds are eligible to represent Waikato/Bay of Plenty at New Zealand competitions known as the Interprovincials. Selection is made from performances at the Ribbon Days. Eleven children per sex per age group are selected (i.e. 11 twelve-year girls, 11 twelve- year old boys, and so on). There are always some club members who are selected.
The 12-13 year old Interprovincials are held at Easter (30 March-1 April 2002) and the 14-16 year old North Island Interprovincials are at same time as the Auckland Anniversary Weekend. If you have older children who might want to stay in athletics for the next few years, the locations of the Interprovincials are as follows:
| 12-13 Year Olds |
14-16 Year Olds |
| Easter |
2002 |
Auckland |
Anniversary Weekend |
2002 |
Taranaki |
| 2003 |
Taranaki |
2003 |
Waikato |
| 2004 |
Tasman |
|
|
There are always several parents in attendance as mangers/coaches/supporters.
NOTE:
FOR NEW ZEALAND COMPETITIONS, THE AGE OF THE CHILD AT 31 DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR DETERMINES WHICH AGE GROUP THEY ARE IN.
TRANS TASMAN COMPETITION
Every January, there is a competition between Sydney and Auckland childrens associations known as the Trans Tasman. This year, the New Zealanders will be hosting the competiton in the middle odf January. Children from the Waikato are eligible to take part and try out for the team. Tentatively, the first trials are on Saturday 27 October and Sunday 4 November, with the final trial on Saturday 11 November.
IF COMPETING IN AUSTRALIAN COMPETITIONS OR EVENTS WITH AUSTRALIANS, THEN THE AGE OF THE CHILD AT 1 OCTOBER DETERMINES THE AGE GROUP.
EVENTS FOR YOUR CHILDREN
The following is a list of the events that are usually held at the Ribbon Days. There also is a rule that a child can only enter two of the three long distance (i.e. 400 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres) events.
Also, at Championships and the Colgate Games, a child cannot enter more than four events (but can still compete in a relay team).
| TRACK EVENTS |
| Age |
Track |
Hurdles - Girls |
Hurdles - Boys |
| 7 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
|
|
|
|
4x100m |
|
|
| 8 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
|
|
|
|
4x100m |
|
|
| 9 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
|
|
|
|
4x100m |
|
|
| 10 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
400M |
800M |
1500M |
|
4x100m |
|
|
| 11 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
400M |
800M |
1500M |
|
4x100m |
|
|
| 12 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
400M |
800M |
1500M |
Walk(1000m) |
4x100m |
70M |
80M |
| 13 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
400M |
800M |
1500M |
Walk(1500m) |
4x100m |
70M |
80M |
| 14 |
60M |
100M |
200M |
400M |
800M |
1500M |
Walk(1500m) |
4x100m |
80M |
100M |
| FIELD EVENTS |
| Age |
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
Long Jump |
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
Long Jump |
Shot Put |
|
|
|
| 9 |
Long Jump |
Shot Put |
Discus |
|
|
| 10 |
Long Jump |
Shot Put |
Discus |
High Jump |
|
| 11 |
Long Jump |
Shot Put |
Discus |
High Jump |
|
| 12 |
Long Jump |
Shot Put |
Discus |
High Jump |
|
| 13 |
Long Jump |
Shot Put |
Discus |
High Jump |
Triple Jump |
| 14 |
Long Jump |
Shot Put |
Discus |
High Jump |
Triple Jump |
Only some of the Ribbon Days have the walks or the triple jump.
At the Colgate Games, the 7-9 year olds can all compete in the Long Jump, Shot Put, and Discus.
THREE-SIX YEAR OLDS AT RIBBON DAYS
These children take part in two races: 40 metres, 60 metres,
Ribbons are awarded in each race.
At the end of each day, they take part in shuttle relays. These relays are run by age, four in each team (i.e. two at each end of a 40-metre track). If there are not enough children from one club, children from other clubs help to make up a team. [This is also permissible for the 7-14 year olds at Ribbon Days]. Every one who wants to can take part.