The best of the Eastern Bay’s junior athletic talent converged on Whakatāne Harrier and Athletic Club last week for the EBOP Primary School Athletics.

It featured the best athletes from 25 different schools throughout the Eastern Bay, including from Ōpōtiki all the way through to Ōtakiri and Kawerau. The young athletes qualified for the day through their respective cluster and school athletic days.

EBOP Primary School sports coordinator Katrina Anderson said there was plenty of exciting talent lighting up the track and field.

“It was a great day. There were plenty of talented EBOP kids, and plenty of amazing runners.”

Once again, fine weather conditions greeted the children as they tackled an array of different events that they had qualified in.

“There were lots of smiles from the children. It was just a good day overall. It also provided lots of learning for them, like resilience.”

The events included 60 metre, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m running events, shot put, discus, vortex throw, long jump and high jump.

There were overall winners throughout the grades from 9- to 13-year-olds.

Anderson was incredibly thankful for all the helpers on the day and looked forward to seeing many of the athletes back in action in 2025.

She said it had been a great year for primary school sports throughout the Eastern Bay.

“We’ve been getting big numbers and they seem to be trying an array of different sports. It’s really exciting.”

Overall champions from EBOP Athletics

9-year girls: 1, El Shaddai Marshall, Apanui School; 2, Twila Wikeepa, Edgecumbe Primary; 3, Abigail Matthews, Waiotahe Valley.
Boys: 1, Bryn Willetts, Awakeri School; 2, Oliver Yates, Awakeri School.

10-year girls: 1, Isla Spalding, Awakeri School; 2, Juliette Macquet, Apanui; 3, Ihimaia Herewini-Clay, Te Kura o Te Pāroa.
Boys: 1, Oliver Plunkett, Apanui School; 2, Seth Awhimate, Apanui School; 3rd equal, Calais Gardiner-Beard, Kawerau South School and Jai Marston, Ōhope Beach School.

11-year girls: 1, Falcon Kiwi-Allen, Matatā School; 2, Lilly Anderson, St Joseph’s Whakatāne; 3, Heleena Hughes, Woodlands School.
Boys: 1, Deano Amoamo, Woodlands School; 2, Ahi Tawhi, Tāneatua; 3, Mikaera Skudder, Matatā School.

12-year girls: 1st equal, Aariyah Onekawa, Ōpōtiki Primary and Destiny Karaitana, Tarawera High; 3, Chloe Fisher St Joseph’s Ōpōtiki.
Boys: 1, Te Wharerangi Archer, Awakeri School; 2, Ahimanawa Tawhi, Tāneatua School; 3, Magnes Biddle, Woodlands School.

13-year girls: 1, Jerial Leaso, St Joseph’s Ōpōtiki; 2nd equal, Hanilea Nicholson, Tarawera High and Alejah Watene, Tarawera High;  Mihiata Amoamo, St Joseph’s Ōpōtiki.
Boys: 1, Tapu Teepa, Rūātoki; 2, Rico Poihipi, Ōpōtiki Primary; 3, Roger Hohepa, Edgecumbe Primary.