PlaceMakers helps rejuvenate Takapuna Athletics Club

A longtime cornerstone of Auckland’s North Shore sporting scene, Takapuna Athletics Club is sprinting into a bright new era – thanks to the support of PlaceMakers Wairau Park and the dedication of passionate volunteers and athletes.

Among those advocating for the club’s revival was Olympic pole vault bronze medallist Eliza McCartney, who trained at the club as a child. When PlaceMakers launched a community grant initiative, Eliza saw the perfect opportunity to give back to the club that was the foundation of her athletic journey.

Spearheading the club’s transformation is Dan Brady, a former New Zealand 400m hurdles champ turned passionate club president. Taking the reins from a 34-year stalwart, and with his own children now donning the club’s colours, Dan set out to breathe new life into both the facilities and the culture.

“We wanted to bring structure and values back into focus,” he says. “The athletes had to come first.”

In just three years, the club has expanded its coaching team, launched new training programs and added a rare gem to its offerings – a fully equipped pole vault program. With fresh mats and gear, and coaching from both Eliza McCartney and fellow pole vault star Imogen Ayris, Takapuna is now one of only two clubs on the North Shore where budding vaulters can take to the skies.

“Eliza and Imogen are incredible,” Dan says. “They want to give back. They had to leave the club when they were young to pursue pole vaulting because we didn’t have the facilities. Now they’re coaching the next generation right here.”

The club offers nearly all track and field disciplines, excluding only the hammer throw and steeplechase. More than just a training ground, it’s a launchpad for all kinds of athletes, from beginners to elite, juniors to masters, and para-athletes. It also serves as a foundational activity for other sports including rugby, hockey and football.

But the turnaround hasn’t been just about sport – it’s also about space.

Thanks to recent support from PlaceMakers and other grants, the ageing facilities have been transformed. Key upgrades include a sparkling new kitchen, a total deck rebuild, and improved shower facilities – all essential for young athletes coming straight from school or work. These enhancements not only make the space safer and more functional, but more attractive to tenants, generating income that’s poured straight back into gear and programs.

Since the renovations and renewed strategic focus, membership has skyrocketed from just 70 members after Covid-19 to over 450. The coaching team now boasts nine members with a jaw-dropping 20 national titles between them. With plans for a new gym and a dedicated after-school study space, Takapuna Athletics Club is racing ahead – not just as a sporting venue, but as a thriving, inclusive community hub.

Powered by passion, bolstered by belief, and anchored in giving back, Takapuna Athletics is once again a place where champions are made – and where everyone is welcome to chase their personal best.