By Vicky Semple WBOP Primary School Coordinator Sport Bay of Plenty

Year 5 and 6 students will represent not only their schools, but also their cluster groups at the Western Bay of Plenty Inter-schools Athletics Championship, which is always a spectacle of brilliant achievement from our talented young people.

The athletics stars of the future will run, jump and throw at the Tauranga Domain on Wednesday 5th December.

The all-weather track in the region was built in 2008 and it has enabled top level athletics meetings to be held in Tauranga, such as the 2009 NZ Masters Games.

The Western Bay of Plenty Inter-schools Athletics Championship is coordinated by Sport BOP with the support of the Tauranga Millennium Track Trust.

Up to 400 primary aged children from the region will compete in four track and five field events throughout the day, with the grand finale at the end of the day - the Championship Relay.

Students must qualify through school athletics days and cluster events to be eligible to compete at the regional competition.

The school level events give all children a chance to participate at their level of ability and to actively encourage participation to develop healthier lifestyles and the enjoyment of sport. The six cluster level events offers the more competitive children a chance to experience inter-school achievement and competition.

The regional athletics day is a chance for the top level athletes to pursue excellence and caters for elite athletes and gives them the opportunity to represent their school at elite level.

At the regional athletics day athletes wear coloured t-shirts to showcase their cluster and this also creates a team spirit and positive environment.

Barrie Jennings is the new CoachForce Officer for Athletics in the Bay of Plenty and in his new role he has been running professional development activities in each of the six cluster regions for teachers.

Barry says he is looking forward to seeing the schools showcase their talent and enjoy a day of some fun athletics.

'I want to know which school thinks they have the best relay teams.”

For further information please contact Vicki Semple on 07 578 0016.