Athletics New Zealand confirms support for Christchurch

Athletics New Zealand has confirmed that the 2011 New Zealand Cross Country championships will be held in Christchurch, on the Halswell Quarry Park course, previously used for the 2009 championships. The event will be held on Saturday 23 July.

In making the announcement, Athletics New Zealand’s Sport Manager, Brett Addison confirmed Athletics New Zealand’s support for the earthquake damaged city.

“The first major quake on 4 September hit Christchurch just hours before the New Zealand Road Championships were due to be held in the city, forcing their cancellation, so we are very pleased to be able to go back to Christchurch for another of our major championship events so soon after the second major quake” said Addison.

In a further announcement, Athletics New Zealand has confirmed that the sport’s inaugural Annual Conference will also be held in Christchurch 22 – 24 July. The conference will include the 2011 Annual General Meeting, the first under Athletics New Zealand’s new ground-breaking constitution adopted in 2010 and begins the change to club representation at annual meetings, replacing a regional voting structure that has been in place since 1902.

Chair Annette Purvis described the change as a watershed moment and “a very positive first step and strong indication that as a sport we are eager to build on our historical successes into the future.”

The Conference will be held at the Addington Events Centre. As well as the AGM, the conference will include sessions on club development, events, coaching, high performance and calendar planning.

Addison said “Holding two such important events in Christchurch as they embark on the recovery process will lend support to the Canterbury athletics community and the city as they get back to their feet.”