There were smiles for miles as the athletics season ended with a fast-paced games session, barbecue and prizegiving in Alexandra on Monday evening.

Alexandra Athletics club members participated in a warmup, team baton relays and then tug of war by gender, culminating in a hard-fought battle with the adults.

The warmup session was led by older tamariki and rangitahi. PHOTO: The Central App

After the games, the crowd headed to Alexandra’s Stadium Tavern for prize giving. 

Dunstan High School’s Mac Denniston, recently named in the New Zealand squad for the Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji in June, was there to congratulate and shake hands with the club championship winners in each age group. 

Mac is in the F34 discus, javelin and seated shot put in Suva. He has had a great season winning three silver medals competing for Otago at the nationals in Wellington in March. He also threw two New Zealand records at the Otago Championships. 

Certificates, ribbons and trophies were presented by club patron Valmai Breen, and longstanding club president Norman Marsh. 

Pictured are (from left) Valmai Breen, award winners Olivia Delport and Mac Denniston. PHOTO: Image Central 

Mayson Kingi was awarded the competitive trophy, he won the boys age 12 high jump in the Otago Championships, clearing 1.55m. PHOTO: Image Central 

Alexandra Athletics team manager Kate Groundwater said the small club had punched above their weight during the season with strong results in the Otago Children’s Athletics Champs in Dunedin and the Colgate Games in mid-January.

Organisers thanked the committee members, Alan Hamilton (Bones) for coaching, parent volunteers who made the Monday night training a success, and the sponsors for their contribution to the club. 

The club caters to social and competitive athletes from those aged under six to 19.  Athletics kicks off again in term four. It is run at the track at Molyneux Stadium on Monday nights from 5.45pm until 7pm.

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