The second annual Athletics Day on Shirley Boys' new site at Ōrua Paeroa

Another year, another school house athletics event. The day was overcast, but not cold by any means. After weeks of planning and organisation, athletics day 2021 was finally here.

Kicking off the day, was the 1500m races at 8.00am on the dot. 

Following that the boys headed to the tennis courts for roll call. Before long, the day was well underway and off to a ripper of a start.

100m heats, throwing events and junior high jump were the first callings, eventuating in two early school record being broken. 

The first went to year 10, Angus Edwards with a spectacular Javelin throw of 37.03m; smashing the old record set in the 1980s by almost 1.5m. 

The second was another field event, Under 14 high jump in which Jed Bunn's 1.66m effort outjumped the previous record holder Walter Stevenson by just 1cm, set the year prior. 

The third and final record that was broken came about midway through the day during the senior shot put. Quinn Andis who last year broke the same record in the intermediate category once again threw the furthest shot put by a Shirley Boy; a distance of 15.15m.

As the day progressed, a few athletes reigned  superior amongst their peers. Jed Bunn in the under 14 category came out on top in the High Jump, 100m, 200m and 400m. In the Junior category it was Walter Stevenson winning the High Jump, Discus, Javelin and placing in the 200m and long jump. Quinn Andis and Dominic Pulley shared multiple victories also in the Senior category. Quinn winning the 200m, Shot Put, Discus and 1st equal in the high jump; meanwhile, Dominic dominated the running events with victories in the 3000m, 1500m, 800m and also typing equal in the high jump.

All around it was a great day out, with seas of blue, red, green and yellow across all events and categories. 

The day concluded with the 100m finals. Stand out running from Jordan Soli who just pipped Jack Costello by 1/100th of a second to take 1st in the senior category. A surprise finish occurred, in the last event of the day; the staff vs student executive 8x100m race. The staff lineup included Mr. Edwards, Mr. Inwood, Mr. Pesefea, Mr. Chalklen, Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Vine, Mr. Goode and Jasper from 24-7 Youthwork. Unfortunately, on the day the execs reigned supreme, breaking a drought which amassed more than10 years!

The final placings and house winners can be found in the attachment below.

The individual Overall winners for all year groups were as follows:

• 1st Place = Jed Bunn - U14 - 25 Points 
• 2nd Place = Quinn Andis - Senior - 24 Points
• 2nd Place = Dominic Pulley - Senior - 24 Points
• 2nd Place = Walter Stevenson - Junior - 24 Points 
• 5th Place - Iveni Nasio - Intermediate - 18 Points
• 6th Place = Jake Hale - Intermediate - 14 Points
• 6th Place = Harry Burke - Junior - 14 Points

Jake Chalklen
Sports Coordinator