Brief History of Masters Athletics in the Cook Islands
The attendance and participation in the 7th Oceania Champs in Suva Fiji in July 1994 by David Lobb and Tupui Henry generated interest in master’s athletics in the Cooks.
As a member of the Athletics Cook Islands executive David was able to get the agreement to bid for the 2004 Championships to be held in Rarotonga. This was agreed to by the Oceania Council at the 2000 Champs in Norfolk Island.
Cook Islands first medal was won by David Lobb at the 2002 Geelong Champs.
Successfully hosted the Oceania Champs in October 2004 on a grass track at the Tereora National Stadium. A total of 27 Cook Islands masters participated in these champs.
Since 2005 an annual Masters Athletics Meeting has been held on Gospel Day (October 26) each year. In 2010 this was extended to a three day event with short programs on two days preceding the 26th .
The Cook Islands were represented by small teams to 2006 Christchurch Champs (12) and 2008 Townsville Champs (11), and in both cases the Cook Islands won the Inter Islands Shield for the best Island Affiliate team attending the champs.
Biggest team to travel overseas was the 19 athletes and several supporters to Tahiti Champs in 2010 who returned with 60 medals.