Let The Games Begin!

23 September 2004

Let The Games Begin!

With the home-coming celebrations of New Zealand’s Olympians complete, entries have opened for another festival based on the ideals of the Olympic Movement.

The New Zealand College Games, held every four years to coincide with the Olympic Games, will again take place in Hamilton from 3rd-7th of December. The College Games are a stepping stone to greater honours for New Zealand’s elite secondary school athletes. Entries are by invitation only.

The College Games are about ‘bringing friendship and understanding among youth through sport’ and are fully supported by the New Zealand Olympic Committee. The games aim to encourage and motivate young athletes to persevere with their sport and represent New Zealand at future Olympics.

Christchurch Olympic swimming representative, Annabelle Carey, 15, from Burnside High School says the New Zealand College Games are a great way for budding young Olympians to build their confidence. “[The New Zealand College Games] will allow young athletes to see the talented people in their sporting codes competing, which will be a great learning experience; what the athletes get out of the games will be well worth the training. They will learn a lot and be a lot more confident at the end of the competition”.

The inaugural games in 2000 attracted 3300 athletes from 240 schools who competed in 19 sports. This year the games are expected to attract over 4000 athletes who will compete in 22 sports. The games will act as the secondary schools national championships for athletics, bowls and indoor rowing. The games village will be located at the University of Waikato campus and the sporting events will take place at various venues throughout Hamilton.

Visit the New Zealand College Games website www.nzcollegegames.co.nz for updated information, draws/results and photos.

ENDS

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