Junior Programmes & Pathways

Developing Athletes for Life

At North Harbour Bays Athletics Club, we provide opportunities for young athletes of all abilities to learn, grow, compete, and achieve their personal goals.

Whether your child wants to have fun, stay active, improve their skills, or pursue higher-level competition, Bays offers a range of programmes and pathways to support their athletics journey.

Club Nights

Club Nights are where most athletes begin their athletics journey and remain the foundation of our junior programme.

Athletes develop skills across a wide range of track and field events while building confidence, fitness, friendships, and a love of athletics.

Club Nights run during the summer athletics season from October to March.

Interclub Competition

Interclub competitions provide athletes with the opportunity to compete against athletes from other athletics clubs across Auckland.

These competitions are a fantastic way to:

  • Gain competition experience
  • Improve performance
  • Represent Bays
  • Achieve personal bests
  • Qualify for championship events

Interclub competitions are available for athletes who wish to take their athletics beyond Club Nights.

Auckland Championships

Throughout the season, eligible athletes have the opportunity to compete at Athletics Auckland Championship events.

These competitions provide a higher level of competition and allow athletes to test themselves against some of the region's best young athletes.

Championship opportunities may include:

  • Auckland Junior Championships
  • Auckland Relay Championships
  • Auckland Combined Events Championships
  • Auckland Cross Country and Road Championships

Colgate Games

The Colgate Games are one of the highlights of the athletics season for many young athletes.

Open to athletes aged 7–14 years, the Colgate Games combine competition, fun, and friendship in a festival atmosphere and provide a memorable athletics experience for young participants from across New Zealand.

Cross Country & Road Season

Athletics isn't just a summer sport.

During the winter months, athletes can continue their development through our Cross Country & Road programme.

Athletes have opportunities to:

  • Build endurance and fitness
  • Compete in cross country races
  • Participate in road running events
  • Represent Bays in relay competitions
  • Stay active throughout the year

X Squad

X Squad is designed for athletes who are looking for additional training opportunities and a more structured development environment.

The programme supports athletes who are committed to improving their skills, fitness, and performance while working alongside experienced coaches and like-minded athletes.

X Squad complements Club Night participation and provides additional opportunities for athlete development.

Representative Opportunities

As athletes progress, opportunities may arise to represent:

  • North Harbour
  • Auckland
  • New Zealand
  • Their heritage nation (where eligible)

Selection opportunities vary depending on age, event, and performance standards.

A Pathway for Every Athlete

Not every athlete's journey looks the same, and that's exactly how it should be.

Some athletes participate for fun, fitness, and friendships, while others pursue regional, national, and international competition. Our goal is to provide opportunities for every athlete to enjoy athletics and achieve their own personal best.