The Rectors and Principals from St Patrick’s – Silverstream, St Patrick’s – Wellington, Rongotai College, and Wellington College have made the difficult decision today that this year’s McEvedy Shield Athletics Championships will be cancelled.
The 2021 McEvedy was originally scheduled for Tuesday 2 March, but could not take place due to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions limiting mass gatherings to no more than 100 people. The fluid COVID-19 situation makes it extremely difficult to effectively plan for an event of this nature and it has proved too difficult to find an appropriate day on all four of our school calendars on which Newtown Park is available.
This is only the second time that the McEvedy Shield has been cancelled. The 1948 event was unable to proceed due to the Polio epidemic. We share the disappointment of the athletes, alongside their coaches and supporters, who have worked so hard to prepare for the 2021 event.
The four schools have committed to immediately start planning for the 2022 event, which will mark the 100th anniversary of the first McEvedy Shield. We are determined, in the post-COVID-19 environment, to provide an appropriate and inclusive celebration of athletics that honours Dr Pat McEvedy’s love for sport and true sportsmanship which led to him donating the shield, which bears his name and includes the motivational words extolling “the joy of effort”.
Grahame Duffy – Rector, St Patrick’s College Silverstream
Mike Savali – Rector, St Patrick’s College (Wellington)
Kevin Carter – Principal, Rongotai College
Gregor Fountain – Principal, Wellington College.