Prince of Wales athletics all set

Primary school students are flocking to BCI Stadium tomorrow, wearing their game faces and ready for action – it’s Prince of Wales athletics day again.

This year, Avatea School is hosting the day of sport, which kicks off at 8am sharp tomorrow.

Nikao Maori School, Arorangi School, Rutaki School, Papaaroa College, Imanuela Akatemia, Te Uki Ou, Takitumu School, Avarua School, St Joseph’s, Avatea School and technical officials will assemble at the opening ceremony, which Tua Pittman will emcee.

Avatea students will sing the national anthem as Prime Minister Jim Marurai arrives, and ‘God Save the Queen’ as Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin enters the stadium.

At 8.15am, led by Papaaroa College Brass Band, all schools will march in front of the grandstand.

Reverend Tereora Tereora will say an opening pure, which precedes a number of speeches, including a recitation of the ‘Oath of Amateurism’ by Avatea head boy Viliame Hanafakaga and head girl Ariana Kiely.

The competition is expected to get underway at 8.50am.

Students will compete in long-distance running, sprints and high jump – all distances vary according to the contestants’ year in school and level.

There will be ball-throwing contests, long jump challenges and discus for senior competitors.

All categories will then participate in a relay race – 4 x 50m heats for juniors and 4 x 100m heats for intermediate and senior-level athletes.

The closing ceremonies are expected to start at 1.45pm, at which time organisers will announce individual winners, division trophy winners and the ‘Prince of Wales’ shield winner.

Nga Charlie of Avatea School is delivering the closing speech, and secretary of education Sharon Paio is also scheduled to speak.

Prince of Wales athletics day should wrap up by 2.30 pm.