Leanne Asher, Competitions Manager of Athletics New Zealand has confirmed that the walk relay section of the New Zealand Road Relay Championships to be held at Feilding on Saturday 7th October, 2006 is open to all walkers, registered and unregistered.

 

Leanne said "We are trying to encourage walkers to enter the event. Being that it is not a Championship event there is not the same requirement to be registered as for the running events. We too are keen to get more people involved and if this is a way to encourage, let's go for it."

 

Geoff Hopper, Chairman of the Manawatu/Wanganui Centre of Athletics New Zealand concurred saying "The undertaking to allow walkers registered or unregistered at this years Road Relay Nationals was made by the MWA Centre with support from Athletics NZ in a way of recognising that Walkers need to be given the opportunity to see what our sport has to offer. What is hoped is that the Walkers see this as an opportunity to become involved as athletes registered within the sport and not just use it as another event they can compete at."

 

This is very good news and is obviously a change of heart after SPARC withdrew considerable development funding from Athletics New Zealand whom they saw as not doing enough to support growth at grass-roots level and not actively pursuing the integration of kindred sporting styles into the Athletics New Zealand fold.

 

It is now up to all bona-fide walking groups to enter their teams in this event. Entry forms can be downloaded from Athletics New Zealand's web site or, for more clarification, you can contact Leanne Asher at leanne@...

 

Paul Godbaz.