HISTORY

Fairfield Amateur Athletic Club has been in existence some 50 years to foster, promote and encourage children aged 3 - 14 years to participate and compete in athletics. 

Originally known as the 'Fairfield Branch' of the Hinemoa Athletic Club, the club ran at the Claudelands Showgrounds and later at Fairfield Park with the older members of the club also running at Hillcrest Stadium.

The desire to form a separate club was first proposed in March 1969 with the first AGM of the Fairfield Amateur Athletic Club held at the Fairfield Intermediate School library on 12 November 1969. 

At that time the Fairfield Intermediate School Committee granted the club the use of its school grounds for their club nights, transferring to Porritt Stadium in the 1974-75 season. In 1982 the decision to resurface Porritt Stadium with an all weather track, financed in part by the Hamilton City Council and the Waikato Centre of New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association saw Fairfield, as a user of the Stadium, entered into fundraising activities to help with donations towards the cost. One of the events held in November 1983, was a Monster Ribbon Day for all the children who had helped to fundraise for the track.  This attracted over 1400 competitors for a full day of track and field events, including a march past of all clubs at the start of the day.  Following a very successful day the Fairfield Club was able to contribute even more towards the resurfacing costs.

An important event beginning in 1981 was the involvement of children with disabilities, including children from Hamilton North School, into club activities and they provided an inspiration to all. Some of the Fairfield club members were selected to compete at the 'Special Olympics' held in Wellington in 1984. Former club members still help with the running of these events to this day.

In the past, club membership numbers were over 300, today the club has around 220 children, with former child members now bringing their own children to the club. 
Ribbon Day competition on Saturdays throughout the Waikato has always been encouraged, in the past the children travelled by bus to these events, nowadays numbers attending are smaller and families travel by car.

On more than one occasion in its history the club had almost gone into recess but with dedicated parents rallying to the cause the club has survived.  The club continues to rely on dedicated parents and volunteers helping to run club nights and assisting with fundraising events, and former club members also lending their support to make it the successful club of today.