On the Track

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1924, Page 18

On the Track

ATTRACTIVE SPORT

BIGGER FOLLOWING WANTED

TOISEpURE IMPORTANT EVENTS,

B? " SPBIKTER."

'Another season is about to be com-

fenced,- and the-question arises : What

Ms - the,- ■ prospects ? Amateur athletics Jraakeup'-Bucli..' an atMaetive'-branch.' of

'sport-for the competitor and the spectator that there should be-.little cause

cfor concern about support, but the ex-

iperiehcei'.bf recent years has proved.that athletics in the Dominion do not (command the following they -deserve. fl!his sport is -not only attractive; it is one of the best for the building up of a ■healthy- ananhoodr Numerous sections ■al-e "offered as a way to physical devel-. opment, and the choice can be made so a« to .avoid anything' that may be regarded* as; a strain on those who choose amateur athletics as their line of. exer-' •cisc' for' the summer months. From the point of view of'building up a strong and-healthy community, amateur ath-letics-have a : call which should be even .mote" generously';responded to than in' the';past,: • As- for; sport, amateur athletics provide -so much- variety and bring out physical qualities" so strikingly that the sporting-'-public 'could wish for nothing . better:;-And-'yet, it.is a fact that the supporfc-to-this particular branch of sport leaves much to be desired. True, the .E(.ftei'n6'6H' and evening, meetings claim1 a-good deal of attention at times, and when there is anything special, such as ; the "appearance of champions from overseas, the" attendances are usually excellent.-'But, taking tho sport season by season, the controllers are not favoured with such a measure of support as r will encourage'them to advance along more progressive lines. Here in Wellington;- -we have enthusiasts, keen to see the sport go; ahead, who have ideas which they- would like to carry out, but they feel that .they must measure their steps until the public shows a greater liking ' for amateur athletics. This is not to say that the public does not like the sport. With a section it is extremely 'popular. And therei is the point. That section ot the public which shows its support by attendance, at: t]le var ; ous nieetings __ and with each season it seems to be increasing—is not big enough to give the controllers flic confidence necessary in' launching bigger schemes. Those who have been following amateur athletics have been getting some of the best sport that, has been; provided by any branch, it rtheir. enthusiasm could only convince others of the pleasure to be derived from amateur, athletic meetings, those who arrange the meetings, with their special attractions would-be-.encouraged to push on with a more progressive policy, and the^time would come when "New Zealanders would perhaps see events such as those, over, which there was great enthusiasm at the Olympic Games, -it is understood that the New Zealand Council of Amateur. Athletics is endeavouring to arrange for the visit of some-overseas champions; but iv its pre- i . sent position-it has to act in anticipation, of. support.-; Of course, the chance of- seeing; athletes-who figured prominently atythe Olympic Games' would be .welcomed, andmaybe the financial result of. such., an undertaking would place the counoil:m a better position for: the fut-ure,-as-regards big events. The pity is that it is not in a position at the prbsent time to go ahead., ill. arranging for big events, without rhaving• to' worry-about the-financial-part of the business: -The appeal at the start of this season-is'-for-greater support. Locally, the Wellit"ton Centre.will produce the gboc!s',Vand,v irom what it has in store at,this early stage, those who are not satisfied with; the sport which is provided this season will be hard, indeed, to please. Greater , support -will, mean-greater events, and it will also mean that New Zealand's athletes wdl have the prominence which they deserve, at future Olympic Games in some parts of the Dominion-the reason for lack of support is that those rwhoare controlling amateur athletics 'do not put on sufficiently attractive programmes. For this, half-hearted enthusiasm is partly the cause, while: in some cases,..the.. supply o f, athletes is poor cpmpMedi.with. that.in. other places Wellington can claim to be a very live *fwil'- ifc has a _ live body of officials, And their activities are accounting for ■good progress. The centre has not much ■complaint to make about lack of supP ,jf vom the public; here, but it would like to see .bigger attendances at the, sports .meetings, and in the hope' jthat these may. be recorded this season every endeavour is being made to make the, programme as attractive as possible, ■it the meetings, come up to some of those jwhich. were : run last season there will Toe attractions in plenty at each of them., ifiie number of competitors is bound to increase, and this will be a help in one way. towards-a season that is expected! to be very successful. Everything points to,.amateur.athletics in Wellington muVmg a; further advance, and'if arrangements can ,be made for some champions' frpm overseas,to pay. a visit so much the tetter.,-.. At ;,all, events, the...prospects Pi a good season locally are bright. 'A VISIT FROM OVERSEAS? .At the close of last season "Sprinter" fexpressed the hope that the council in the ioff-season would give full consideration to ,Ways and means of improving matters for ' ithe various centres, and pointed out that ,the centres themselves could assist. The , conference of delegates .'from centres made a-number.bf recommendations, and to the main they were such as would make for the- advancement of the sport What is going'to be done regarding some of the recommendations remains to be 'seen. A few, it is noted, have been favourably . received by the council. The .writer-suggested' that without a lead" from the centres the council should consider, the question of another visit from overseas athletes. It was known that inquiries would be made about the possi- . bihty of some of the Olympic Games champions making a trip to New Zenland, but to wait until the Games were over in' making arrangements for the coming season was leaving matters rather late. One of the Australian officials, it is -understood,' has; been busy trying to arrange for some of the notable athletes iwho "appeared at the Games to pay a ,-visit to- Australia and New Zealand, but .-with 'what success nothing is yet known There was talk of getting Nurmi and others to come out, but the chances as far ns the remarkable Finn is concerned appear to be hopeless; in fact, the absence, of information suggests that there is not much.ground for hopes of a visit from,any of the world's champions who areresident in distant countries. .There was .another opening for a special attraction this season in the visit of a team representing the Far East (including Chinese, Japanese, and Filipinos), but apparently nothing has been done in this direction, nor is there any reason to believe that any definite steps, have been taken to invite athletes, from Canada, America, or South Africa. Teams from any one of fthose places would be well received.- During' tne week'the" Stanford University tennis ; team. was in Auckland, and the jnanager mentioned that there was a

likelihood of a. team of four athletes from Stanford paying a visit to Australia aud New Zealand. ' Here is a chance for the New Zealand Council to get busy" with arrangements. A tour from overseas is wanted, and the council can rest assured that it will receive the support of the various centres in any action it may take to givejhe public a special attraction in--the way of sport.

PREPARE FOR THE GAMES.

Since last season the Olympic Games have taken place, and they have proved to be the greatest on record. Great I achievements included the establishment cf many new records. New Zealand was Iceenly interested in the Games, as representatives of the Dominion were taking part, but it was only when news of the performances of the New Zealanders began to arrive by cable that interest was stirred. Prior to the Games, when efforts were being made to raise funds to send representatives, interest was practically dead. There was some response to [ the appeals for funds, but in view of the importance of the undertaking and the importance of-having the New Zealand nag at the Games, the response was far from satisfactory. There was one solitary representative of.amateur athletics in. Aew Zealand, and at the time of the Games he was stationed in England. That was A. E. Porritt, Rhodes scholar. It was a very fortunate thing for New Zealand that Porritt was so handy to the Games, as he has proved to be a great advertisement for this country. Porritt has made a name for himself and for New Zealand. .He did not win at the Olympic Games, but iv the blue riband of ;the events, the 100 metres, he finished third, a performance greater than was ever expected of him in the world's greatest sprinting test.' Since then he has' achieved many successes in England and in Europe, and the world knows that New Zealand has in him one of the best1 sprinters of all nations. Porritt's achievements go to show that New Zealand can produce excellent talent. It is about time that opportunities -were given to New Zealand athletes to take the place they are worthy - of-ramong the world's best. If other branches of sport cannot see their way to give material assistance towards this country having adequate representation _at the Olympic Games, then the amateur athletic section should fire ahead oii its own in working up a fund that will enable a good-sized team of athletes to be sent to the Olympic Games at Antwerp in 1928. There was a lot 'of talk prior to the last Games about -New Zealand hot possessing/ athletes good enough to compete with the world's best. What did the Americans say of George Davidson four years ago? What do they ;and all otlfer nations say of Porritt to-day? These are only two of many New Zealanders, not forgetting -Harry Wilson, who was in the first flight of hurdlers at the Games four years ago, who have shown special qualities in their own country. There will be more during the next few yoars, and if they are given the same opportunities as are given to the athletes of other nations they will bring more honour and glory to this country. .' Steps ; should be taken right away to see that the New Zealand star athletes of three years hence are sent to the world's;.greatest.meeting,' and sent' in sufficient-time to go through a thorough _ course of training in final preparation .for their events. LOCAL LADIES' CLUB. During last; season's activities the ladies club did much towards the popularity of 'meetings, and by the members some fine form was' shown, Miss S. Swinburne proving, without ''doubt,1 that she was the fastest dady sprinter in New Zealand. The ladies are to hold their annual meeting on the 16th hist. In the annual report it is atatod that the membership showed an. increase on the previous year, aiid that members took a greater interest in the welfare of the club. Attendances at evening meetings held by the various city club's during the season were'always good, and finishes in the ladies' events were exceptionally.'close. Tile club was successful in retaining the Eteveneaux Relay J Up,,,,s!,.defeat'l"- tho Wairarapa ladies lit Wellington,, and, at Masterton. A handsome necklet, .presented by .Mr. Peat for the lady athlete gaining most points during the season, was won by ;*,;*. b' Swinburne,- who also won the Wellington ladies' provincial championship, and represented Wellington at the New Zealand championships at Dunedin Miss .Swinburne had no difficulty in capturing the 100 yds scratch race at Dunedin, ; defeating "competitors from Auckland; Christchurch, and Dunedin. lhe.,committee..of the ladies' club regrets the action of. the New. Zealand Amateur Athletic Association in not allowing the"looyds, everils' at' the New Zealand championships to be recognised as a New Zealand championship, as was done in the previous year. The hope is i expressed .that the various centres will be successful in having a ladies' championship event included . in' this year's championships, which are to be hold in Auckland, early "in February. ' The committee urges upon members to train in l earnest. '.-'''-, I ■ Special are due .to Mr. . and Mrs. C. Collyer, of Athletic Park, for -the manner in which they looked' after members while using the Park. Mrs. s efforts-have gone a long way towards making the club a success -The Hon.-secretary £Miss Wilkins) is also deserving of praise; The committee alsn thanks all who assisted the club to meet its liabilities'.'.-The financial position is' now considered to be good, there bomir a-credit balance of £3 ss. . -„ ;-',- NOTES. .. Tim Wellington season will be opened with a sports meeting on Labour Day, tor which an attractive programme has been "arranged. Already athletes are making preparations,-and some good form should be shown on the 25th ■There will be. a meeting at Levin on Labour Day.. The programme includes ;a number of open, cycling, flat, and field events. . Amateur cycling is likely to go tother ahead this season. The Canterbury Centre is holding a fifty-mile New Zealand championship m conjunction with th* Ohristchurch road race on Saturday, the 15th November. It is hoped that North island cyclists will take part, the southerners being particularly keen on seeim; the Uakly brothers, of Masterton, amon'othe competitors. .-Many prizes arebeinS onered. For fastest time there will b° the New Zealand championship gold medals and blue ribbon, for second fastest timea silver medal, and for third fastest time a bronze medal. For tlie handicaps, the prize will a trophy valued at £10 10s and a challenge cup. _ The Otago Centre-is early 6ffthe mark in commencing its season. A successful meeting' was conducted' last Saturday and some very good performances werp registered. H. D. Morgan (scr) won tho 120 yds hurdles in 15 4-ssec. E. L Brown won the three-mile handicap from scratch in lgmin Gsec. W. J. Duff, a very old runner, proved himself still a fast man, winning the 220 yds event from'lßyds. W. Gilibs (4yds)- won the 100 yds, - and W. J. Scott (10yds) the 440 yds. - ' .i

Wellington College boys are among the first to don the spiked shoe, havin" commenced training last week for their annual sports, which are to be held early in November..-

M. Leadbetter, the 'Varsity sprinter, has been out on the Wellington Collce grounds doing a. little light work. With his opportunities of early training lie should be in fair form for the Opening meeting of the season;

C. H. J.-Jenkins, New Zealand hundred yards champion, remains' with the Wellington Club this season.