Kids prepare for Prince of Wales

Rarotonga kids are putting in some hard training ahead of the annual Prince of Wales inter-primary school athletics competition to be held on September 19.

Race tracks marked out with sand and oil are appearing on school grounds across the island along with makeshift high jump gear as kids practise their techniques and skills ahead of the biggest athletics programme of the year.

This year’s programme, to be held at the BCI Stadium, will be hosted by Arorangi Primary School.

At the school this week the senior kids were practising their high jump but the biggest threat on the race track and throughout the field events will be the sporty kids from Avarua and Avatea Primary Schools.

Avatea Primary School will defend the Prince of Wales shield to make it three years in a row that they have won the annual athletics gathering.

In fact, after winning the shield last year – there was much talk about the school wanting to return to their glory days when they held the shield for 32 years.

In 2007 Avatea’s rival school Avarua smashed their 32-year stronghold on the shield before Avatea won it back in 2010.

Despite most of the athletics limelight shinning on the two big schools – smaller schools like Rutaki, Imanuela Akatemia, Rutaki and Apii Te Uki Ou will never let that dampen their spirits and always give 100 percent at the athletics meet.

Mark September 19 on your calendar and get along to the BCI Stadium and support our future Olympic athletes.