Young athletes keen to show their teeth at Colgate Games

Marlborough Athletics are sending their biggest and strongest team the 2021 South Island Colgate Games, which will be staged in Nelson from Friday through to Sunday.

Fifty one athletes from Blenheim, aged 7-14, will compete against some of the best athletes in the country. This year, with the Games being held closer to home, Marlborough will show up with the third biggest team of the 24 areas that have entered.

The younger athletes, ages 7-9, compete for pennants and do not run semi-finals and finals, with participation being the aim at that age.

The older athletes, age 10-14 contest heats, semi-finals and finals, with medals being presented for first, second and third.

Several of the Marlborough athletes will head west with strong prospects of grabbing a medal, but club president Lindsay Tilbury expects all the athletes to perform strongly.

“It is extremely exciting for the club to have such great numbers, and really shows the strength of the club this year,” he said. “The club has high hopes for the athletes this year and we know that they will do Marlborough proud.”

Athletes will also compete in 4 x100 and mixed medley relays, offering participants a chance in what is predominantly an individual sport.

The Marlborough club’s oldest athlete, 14-year-old Ronan West, has also been selected to open the Games and read the athletes’ oath.

“Ronan is a talented athlete and is really starting to excel in all events. The club is super proud of him,” added Lindsay.

The Marlborough Colgate Games team:

Thomas Blackmore, Elizabeth Bowron, Matilda Bowron, Amelia Campbell, Blake Campbell, Sophie Campbell, Jake Clark, Maggie Clark, Harriet Cornelius, Maisie Cornelius, Alex Craig, Ryleigh Gale, Brooke Goodsir, Charlotte Goodsir, Alex Hansen, Brooke Harper, Hannah Harper, Aliana Hoani-Tau’alupe, Denzel Hoani-Tito, Karmah Hoani-Tito, Lexi Jessop, Oliver Jordan, Fade MacDonald, Jahbree MacDonald, Harry MacNeill, Ava Marcroft, Drew Materoa, Honor McKenzie, Neve McKenzie, Chase O’Brien, Luke O’Brien, Cooper Paulo, Flo Paulo, Bella Rayner, Callum Rayner, Austin Ryan, Leia Shaw, Brooklyn Smidt-Robinson, Kobe Smidt-Robinson, Peyton Smidt-Robinson, Louis Thomas, Maddie Thomas, Isla Tilbury, Olivia Trolove, Lachlan Ward, Noah Watene, Ronan West, Ayla Wiapo, Jaye Wiapo