New Zealand’s proud track and field history can be traced back to its strong network of grass-roots athletics clubs and the communities that support them and their athletes.

Paraparaumu Track and Field Club was established in 1919 with a grass track at the Paraparaumu Domian where the late, great Sir Peter Snell competed shortly after his gold medal-winning performance at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

The club enjoys a rich history of developing athletes and helping them compete at the highest level, with numerous members becoming New Zealand representatives.

In recent years the club has committed to focus on children’s introduction and development in the sport but still has several members competing at national level.

 

 

Quick off the blocks

One of the most iconic aspects of an athletics track race is the starting line. The nerves, focus, excitement and anticipation all add to the fun and challenge for young athletes.

Races at Paraparaumu Track and Field Club begin with an electronic starting ‘gun’ and having recently acquired new electronic field equipment, the club turned to its community and network to find the best energy source that would be long-lasting and reliable.

UPS Power Solutions was immediately enthusiastic about assisting a valuable local organisation, and its Helping Hands Initiative is ideally set up to provide a helping hand, especially when the solution is within its area of expertise and product offering.

We’re delighted that every Monday night, Paraparaumu’s young athletes are starting their races with equipment powered by one of our CSB GP1272 batteries says UPS Power Solutions managing director, Nicky Blackmore.

“There are many sport lovers in our team and each of them has fond memories of going to their local clubs as children. Many of them now have their own children enjoying community sports so we absolutely recognise the importance and value of sport in our communities. We wish the athletes and Club every success,” she says.

Providing the power behind the Paraparaumu track and Field Club was an easy yes for UPSPS and is exactly the type of initiative that the company’s Helping Hands Initiative was designed for.

 

 

Ingredients for success

Club Patron, David Edwards embodies the community spirit of local sports clubs by coaching, mentoring and setting up equipment for the new generation of athletes.

He says that being able to give members the experience of racing with an electronic starting gun on club nights provides valuable coaching for athletes by removing some of the scariness from racing at larger meets.

A track athlete himself in New Zealand’s track and field heydays of the 1960’s, he also knows how crucial well-run, inclusive and supportive sporting environments are to the development and confidence of New Zealand’s younger generations.

“Clubs like ours need the support of their communities to operate and we are grateful to UPS Power Solutions for their support. We were not only provided with the generous donation of equipment but their knowledge and experience to ensure we had the most suitable battery set up, instruction on how to best care for it and confidence that it will provide long and reliable service for the club,” he says.

Paraparaumu Track and Field Club offers a variety of training opportunities to suit different age groups and levels of competitive participation. Club nights are held every Monday during the season and give young athletes the chance to learn new skills, challenge themselves and have a lot of fun in a supportive inclusive environment.

UPS Power Solutions welcomes and encourages our people identify opportunities that enable them to provide their own communities with a helping hand wherever it’s needed.

  

 

Learn more about Paraparaumu Track and Field Club here

See more about where we’ve lent a Helping Hand here

See the CSB GP1272 battery here