View From The Stands

Competitions And Events

By Leanne Asher - Competitions and Events Manager

World Shot Put Champion, Valerie Vili at last year's IAAF Permit Meet in Christchurch

The 2007/08 Summer Track Season will no doubt be a busy period for athletes, officials, coaches and the like. The focus for Athletics New Zealand is the delivery of the various track and field championships and the 2008 Black Singlet Invitational.

2008 Black Singlet Invitational

A highlight in 2008 will be the Athletics New Zealand Black Singlet Invitational which will be held at The Trusts Stadium Douglas Track, Waitakere City, on Tuesday 19 February.

The Black Singlet Invitational is part of the IAAF Area Permit meet series which includes meets in Sydney and Melbourne and will build on the meet held this year in Christchurch. The meet will give athletes the opportunity to gain points towards an invitation to the 2008 World Athletic Final.

The event will be a key meet for athletes aspiring to reach selection for the Beijing Olympics and the World Junior Championships or for those in their build up towards these major championships.

In line with the main programme of international athletics will be a test match between Australia and New Zealand in a Trans-Tasman Combined Events Challenge. The meet will be preceded with a pre meet for those not participating in the Black Singlet Invitational.

A key change this year is that New Zealand athletes wishing to take part in the Black Singlet Invitational will be asked to complete an Application for Consideration. These forms are available on the web event page.

Following are the key dates for Athletics New Zealand Championships to be held in the 2007/2008 Track and Field season.

Athletics New Zealand 10,000m Championships	Senior Men, Senior Women & Men 19	26 January 2008	Inglewood
Athletics New Zealand Combined Events	Senior Men, Senior Women, Men 19, Women 19, Men 16, Women 16, Masters Men & Masters Women	9-10 February 2008	Hamilton
Athletics New Zealand W19 3,000m Championships	Women 19	3 February 2008	Hastings
2008 Black Singlet Invitational	Senior Men, Senior Women	19 February 2008	Auckland
Athletics New Zealand Track & Field Championships	Senior Men, Senior Women, Men 19, Women 19, Men 16 & Women 16	28-30 March 2008	Auckland