The 2026 National Championships, which will be held at the Tereora National Stadium in Nikao, kick off this morning at 8.30am with the Youth Championships.

Athletics Cook Islands president Simone Fe’ao said the youth championships will feature athletes competing in the under-14, U16 and U18 age groups across a full programme of track and field events.

“We will be identifying potential athletes to represent Team Cook Islands at the NZ Secondary School Athletics Champs in December,” Fe’ao said.

The final day of the championships tomorrow starts at 12 noon and will feature Para, Open and Masters categories.

“We are introducing Para Athletics events for the first time at our National Championships,” Fe’ao said.

“Athletes with disabilities, along with able bodied participants, will have the opportunity to experience events such as guided sprints, seated shot put and seated javelin.

“While these are introductory events, they represent an important step towards making athletics more inclusive and accessible for everyone in the Cook Islands.”

Fe’ao also encouraged former representative athletes from all sporting codes to “rediscover competition” through Masters Athletics which starts at 35 years.

She said they are expecting a “strong competition” across all categories.

Fe’ao also said they have upgraded their registration and results system “so now everyone can register directly online and results will be available online live as each event finishes”.

“We’re expecting strong competition across all age groups and look forward to welcoming athletes, families and supporters to the stadium over both days.

“We encourage the public to come along and support our athletes as they showcase the depth of talent within Cook Islands athletics.”

Programme

Today: Youth Division from 8.30am. Track – 9:20am 800m Girls & Boys, 10:15am 100m Girls & Boys, 11:00am 4x400m Mixed Relay, 11:30am 1500m Girls & Boys, 12:00pm 200m Girls & Boys, 12:30pm 400m Girls & Boys, 1:00pm 4x100m Relay. Field – 9:00am Shotput Girls & High Jump Boys, 10:00am High Jump Girls & Shot Put Boys, 11:00am Discus Girls & Javelin Boys, 12:00pm Javelin & Long Jump Girls, 12:00pm Discus Boys, 1:00pm Long Jump Boys, 1:00pm Hammer Throw Girls & Boys.

Tomorrow:  Para, Open & Masters – 12pm Registration and Check-In. Track – 1pm 800m Open & Masters, 1:15pm 200m Open, 1:40pm 200m Para Guided Run, 1:45pm 60m Masters, 2:15pm 4x400m Mixed Relay, 2:45pm 100m Open & Masters, 3pm 100m Para Guided Run, 3:15pm 400m Open & Masters, 3:30pm 1500m Open & Masters, 4:00pm 4x100m Relay (F/M/Masters). Field – 1pm Hammer Open & Masters, 1pm Long Jump Open & Masters, 1:45pm Javelin Open & Masters, 2:15pm Para Seated Javelin Throw, 2:30pm Shotput Open & Masters, 3pm Para Seated Shotput Throw, 3:15pm High Jump Open & Masters, 4pm Discus Open & Masters.