Where do they get all the energy from…that’s what team CRF were wondering after the first day of our Athletics Holiday programme held in collaboration with Athletics Wellington.
More than 35 children and youth turned up to learn athletics skills…and they kept running, jumping, and throwing from 9.30 am until after 2.30 pm when we were meant to finish. Coaches from Athletics Wellington participated in the day, with the first section focussing on running skills, the second on jumping skills, and the third on throwing skills. Each session covered several aspects of the skills, so for example, both long jump and high jump were included in the jumping activities.
“There is some huge talent amongst this group” was a comment from one of the coaches…and we also had comments on how well the kids engaged with the different sports and how everyone interacted and supported each other across the ages and ethnicities present. Participants were children and youth aged 4 years to 16 years from across ChangeMakers member and friend communities, and even the 4 year olds were completely engaged. In fact, we think this has been one of the best children and younger youth activities we have had. As the ended of the day came around, and we shouted iceblocks for participants, coaches and parents to cool down, the kids just kept having races…and then the adults started to join in.
It was incredible to see skills developing in such a short time, and we can’t wait to see what happens after the second day of the programme which is on Wednesday 24th January at Wellington Athletics Park – see poster below. These days are not only about getting kids out and about and to try something new, but are helping children and youth to develop skills for their upcoming school athletics, and anyone that is interested can register to be part of a club…you just need to let us know. Smaller children can come along too…as they did…and we have activities for them…which we didn’t really use as they were busy being athletes.
A huge shout out of appreciation goes out to Tony and Tamsin from Athletics Wellington for making this happe n, to Yared Kebede for connecting Tony with ChangeMakers, to the coaches who were incredibly engaging, to the parents who spent the day at the event (and chilled out or caught up with each other and team CRF), and to Bee Healthy who came along again to help our kids learn about their teeth and looking after them.
