All Ability Athletics Day

The weather was perfect for the very first Mitre 10 MEGA All Ability Athletics event held on Friday 14th March at Cook’s Gardens.  We had 37 Secondary students, and 31 primary students participate, along with a handful of kaumatua, in two sessions.  Both sessions started with a lively aerobic warm up courtesy of Paeroke from Nga Tai o Te Awa. 

The event was designed to be accessible and welcoming to all, encouraging participants to engage in sports and physical activities in a way that suits their individual needs and preferences. Much like the Mitre 10 MEGA Whanganui Tough Kid Quiet Hour, the focus is on providing an environment where everyone can take part in their own way, space and time.

The students rotated around adapted versions of the traditional athletic events such as: long jump, high jump, throws as well as some track relays involving sack races, and egg and spoon races.  Both sessions finished with a full track squeaky chicken relay with everyone involved! 

The day was a great collaborative effort with help from staff at the Halberg Foundation, Special Olympics, Nga Tai o Te Awa, Whanganui Regional Health Authority.  We also had some amazing rangatahi from four of the secondary schools that supported the participants in being included in all the activities.