Roskill South Athletics Going to School

Roskill South Athletics Club and Lynfield College are uniting for the summer season to offer athletics to our community. Auckland Council is undertaking major turf renovations at Margaret Griffen Park which has meant the Roskill South Athletic Club has had to find an alternative venue for the coming season.

Club President, Peter Wyatt says “We did not want to move too far and risk inconveniencing our members and not being able to offer children of the local communities our services. As a result of speaking to the College, we are grateful for them agreeing to us using their facilities and at the same time excited by the opportunity to help the College raise its profile in Secondary School athletics through the availability of our coaching programmes.” Roskill South is known for their quality coaches who include the current New Zealand men’s 100m and Long Jump champion.

The club has been based at Margaret Griffen Park for over 60 years supporting the local communities of Mt Roskill, Lynfield, Blockhouse Bay and further afield. Children from as young as 2 years through to 16 years can experience a family-friendly environment, enjoy healthy exercise and gain skills in running, jumping and throwing from beginner level through to participation in regional and national athletics competitions.

Auckland Council has been very helpful with the relocation and set up, providing facilities needed such as shot put and discus circles, rebuilding the existing long jump pit and marking the three tracks required for the season. This will leave a permanent legacy of better facilities at the College after we return to the park next season.

Roskill South has seen some notable international sportspeople come through the club as children including at least six of the Rugby Sevens players at the Rio Olympic Games. As Peter says, ‘athletics is regarded as the foundation sport for children providing speed, agility and co-ordination beneficial to almost all other sports and we look forward to welcoming new members to the club at our new venue’.

For more information on joining Roskill South Athletics please go to our website: www.roskillathletics.com