Papanui Toc H article for team USA 2018

Canterbury, New Zealand
A team of athletes, managers/coaches and supporting families from a number of different clubs and high schools travelled from Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand to participate in the 2018 Down Under Track and Field event. It took 4 hours on an international flight from Christchurch New Zealand to land in Brisbane, Australia.
 
Four years have passed since the last time we participated in this event. The reason why we don’t attend this event every year is simply because everything we try to do falls on volunteers. People have to give their time to organise a team, fundraise, book flights accommodation, events and uniforms. The actual week we spend in Australia is the easy and enjoyable part of this. Regardless of how the sport is structured around the world someone still needs to drive this event and for us that person is Buzz Jones. Thanks for selling honey, running weekly raffles, sausage sizzles, seeking sponsors and organising the trip on behalf of the athletes and the region. It is fair to say Buzz at the age of 81 has organised this trip. It is a larger team than last time with a 40 strong team attending. 
We have come to Australia mostly for experience. Competing against so many different people from so many different places is what makes this event appealing to us. 380 USA athletes is a sight to be seen. Your conference teams and structures are something we talk about. Competing at a Commonwealth games facility at Griffith University is a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to not only compete but realise there is a first rate University to be considered in the future. One of our team members from the last trip is studying there now. 
For some athletes leaving school and having connections with people from the USA and Australia is an invaluable part of this trip. For others the swapping of kit can be a highlight. Memories of this event will last a lifetime and the friendships forged within the team and with people from other teams will serve to strengthen the sport for us and as we hope, for you.