BELL  BLOCK  ATHLETIC  CLUB  HISTORY

In November 1974 parents started a Twilight Athletic Club on the Bell Block School playgrounds.  It was not until 1978 that these parents then formed a committee and invited Mr Norman Read to the meeting.  Mr Read gave a most informative talk on the purpose of an athletic club and how to affiliate with the West Coast North Island Centre.  In 1980 Taranaki broke away from West Coast and became Taranaki Centre in their own right.  At this point the school had became too small and the track moved on to Hickford Park where it still is today.

The park was fully utilised and we shared it with cricket (men & women), summer league, marching and rugby (at the end of our season).  Sadly over the last few years we have had the park to ourselves.  The club has progressed from sawdust in the long jump and pieces of loose sponge rubber in the high jump pads.

The club has two Life Members Christine Feek and Alex Fahey.

Over the last 5 years we have had up to 120 children aged 2 – 14 years old.  Sadly the older ages are dropping away as is the help from parents.  At the age of 7 children can begin attending ribbon days, Taranaki Children’s Championships and North Island Colgate Games if they wish.  Santa always pays a visit at Christmas time and every child receives a certificate, as well as points trophies which are awarded at the end of the season.

The club operates on a Tuesday night from 6:00pm from mid October to mid March each year.

From the 2018/19 season the club changed to a Fun Club due to the lack of older children so is no longer affiliated with Athletics New Zealand. However for our more competitive athletes there is a portal available to be able to compete in regional and national competitions