Point Chevalier Athletes competed with distinction at the annual Trans Tasman Auckland vs. New South Wales 10 and 11 Year old athletics competition on Sunday 18th January.
From our Club, the stand out performer was Maiya Christini, 11, who won Gold Medals in the 1500m, the 800m and was part of the 11 Girls 4 x100m Relay team that also won Gold. Oliver Miller, 10, won Bronze in the 400m and Silver in the 10 Boys 4 x 100m relay. These are fine achievements – you have to be talented and committed to win individual medals at this level.
Other Relay Medals went to Laura Budgett, 11, (4x400m, Bronze), Lili Easton,10, (4x100m, Bronze) and Natasha Gugich,10, (4x400m, Bronze). These are also fine achievements and it is always fun watching how hard our athletes ‘put it in’ for their team in Relays.
Overall New South Wales won the competition in a tight battle that came down to the Relays at the end of the event to determine the winning team.
All 7 Point Chevalier athletes in the rep team competed with pride in their Club and their Auckland colours. We can be proud of them all in many different ways. Their achievements in being selected and in earning medals represent the highlights. Their handling of upsets and difficulties with dignity - Oliver DQ’d in 200m Final, Sabine O’Connor carrying frustrating injuries, Jack Pickering just missing out on a Relay medal by a whisker and Natasha fronting straight after SI Colgates – is just as important and a reminder of the highs and lows of sport. All of our reps will be better for their experiences in this team at this event.
This year’s event was the second and final year in the Auckland Trans Tasman team for Maiya and Sabine so well done to them for promoting our club over two seasons in the rep team at this pinnacle event in junior athletics.
Next year the event will be in Sydney again and our 10 year olds from this year, Oliver, Natasha, Lili and Jack will be aiming for that team and we can see some capable 9 year olds from this season who will be eligible to trial in October for that trip as well.
Brendon O’Connor
President
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