Nationals come back to city
Christchurch will make up for lost time when it hosts the New Zealand Track and Field Championships for two consecutive years from 2019.
The 2019 national championships, to be held over three days, is expected to be the first major athletics meeting at the yet to be completed Nga¯ Puna Wai Sports Hub, near Halswell.
World shot put champion Tom Walsh made the announcement following his victory in The Big Shot at in Christchurch on Friday night.
‘‘Track and field has sadly been without a home in Christchurch, where it has such strong community support, so it will be a great opportunity for everyone to get behind our local athletes and celebrate a brand-new state of the art venue at Nga¯ Puna Wai,’’ Walsh said.
‘‘Athletics in Christchurch has been without a permanent home since the earthquake and we are well aware of the pressure that this has put on athletics locally.’’
Hamish Grey, chief executive Athletics NZ
Walsh said having the nationals back in Christchurch in 2019 and 2020 was a fantastic development for the future of athletics in Christchurch.
‘‘With over 100 years of history, the New Zealand Track and Field Championships is one of the country’s oldest sporting competitions and I’m excited this iconic event is heading back to Christchurch,’’ Walsh said.
Chief executive of Athletics New Zealand, Hamish Grey, said he was delighted to bring the flagship event back to Christchurch.
‘‘Athletics in Christchurch has been without a permanent home since the earthquake and we are well aware of the pressure that this has put on athletics locally.
‘‘Canterbury athletics officials have done a fantastic job in promoting athletics competitions over this time and the opening of Nga¯ Puna Wai represents an exciting opportunity to grow the sport,’’ Grey said.