AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 11

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

HARRIERS PREPARING. PROSPECTS GOOD ALL-ROUND. Now that the athletic season has reached its finish, athletes axe putting away the spiked shoes and bringing out the canvas and rubber ones. Sarrierism is in the air, and already some clubs have had their meeting and even commenced their runs. The winter sport looks to be in for a great year, and Auckland will follow in the line of the other centres of New Zealand. And what a delightfully healthful sport it isi Little or no chance of injury, good free running over hills and paddocks, and the best of friendly companionship. It is a sport that can be taken up joyously by strongest athlete, and yet can be used fas' a means to building up the physique by the veriest weakling. Perhaps one of its biggest services, and one that Harrier Sub-Centre Secretary Les Barker preaches, will be in its providing a healthy pastime for many young fellows who would otherwise be merely onlookers of football, or walking around the streets. Papatoetoe Club, after enjoying an excellent track season whta its enterprise in opening the beautiful stadium as its headquarters was a high light in the athletic year, is again to the fore as one of the first clubs to commence runs. E. Wagstaff, off 4yds, -won the run-in, and also led the pack over a stiff five-mile course. It would be no Papatoetoe event without a Littlers name appearing, and the family scored a second from the effort of C. Littler. W. Gallagher was a close third. The big opportunity for this club to expand will be for it to enlist the support of Otahuhu and surrounding districts, and be the sport's centre of the big suburban district nearby. Wifh the population in the vicinity the club should become a real athletic force. Over the harbour the vigorous little Calliope Club held its opening, and seems to have all its old supporters back to assist it. Jack Silvester may run onb" occasionally, as he is studying hard this year, but when he does run he is a hard man to head off in a run-in. Much will be expected of Stan Andrews this year, and it will be pleasing to see him display a little of his old form. McCombie is a very solid runner, and along with Whitmore, Clow and Clayton will form the basis of a good club side. So far little has been heard of the University Club's doings, but if it follows on its showing: of last year it will be most prominent. It has an excellent membership, and with Haszard and Francis to head _ the pack, it should make a real showing in team races. Technical, last year's champions, have an even stronger club this ye&r, although it is rumoured that its star, Norman Cooper, will be spelling this winter. He will be hard to replace, but will be wise in taking this respite. It is noteworthy that more than one Southern critic is referring to him as a potential 1936 Olympic representative. Les Barker is also thinking of spelling as he has had some very hard years, winter and summer, of late. His place will also be missed from the provincial team. Bradley is away in the country, and mav also be off the team. In Les Sinclair, a Wellington representative, the club has a decided asset. One of the leading runners of the Capital City and a great cross-country man, Sinclair has spelled for a summer in order to be at his best this winter. He is welcomed to Auckland's athletic ranks. Billy Savidan missed the cross-country championship last year, when he was away in Los Angeles, but is keener than ever this winter to gain back the title Jimmie Barnes, of Otago, now holds. That Savidan is as good as ever is evident from his Christchurch runs this year, and over cross-country he is definitely better. . „ Jack Nicholson is still_ running as well as ever, reallv a marvel for his years, and it will take a very vigorous young athlete to defeat him. . Lvnndale has been quiet-, but Jack Dolan has some very promising young runners under his charge, and the club has every chance of reaching high up the championship ladder. Ansel Browne and Billy Briggs are two stalwarts worthy of a place in anv club "A" team, and it is evident that the spell they have had trom track racing will benefit them greatly. With a chance of another club being formed by the Baptist Church people, and one already in being under the auspices of the Presbyterian Uible Class, there is scope for a general formation of clubs m similar organisations. _ The road walkers will, m all probability, have their walks in conjunction with the Technical Club until the time is opportune for them to commence right on their own. It. is expected that, although this branch of athletics will eojnmence small, it will gradually grow as its pleasures are sampled by budding heel and toe champions. Arrangements are being made, most likelv in the form of a social and dance, foi all prize winners at provincial. New Zealand and club championships to be presented with their trophies and certificates. , The social side of amateur athletics is too often neglected, yet when an old runner looks back on his athletic career, his most pleasant memories are of the trips and the companions he has made. To be a real amateur is to be one of a great athletic brotherhood, embracing not only all New Zealand but the whole world.

WHANGAREI FINAL MEETING. The final meetinc for the season of the Whangarei Amateur Athletic Club was held last nicht on the High School grounds Results :— Morrish Challenge Cup. for season s events.—K. Given. 22? points. 1: A. B. Rocs. 171. 2; R. Donaldson. 14J, Bovs' '220 Yards.—J. Calder. 10yds. 1; A. Hnigli, 4yds, 2; A. Greig, 2yds, 3. Time, "^TS^Tards.—R. Donaldson, 2yds, and L. Winstanley. 3yds. dead heat, 1; A. B. Ross, 4vds. 3. Time. S 2-ss. '•>>o Yards, Open.—L. Winstanlev. Syds, 1: A.' B. Boss. 11yds, 2; K. Given, 10yds, 3. Time, 24 3-ss. „ . g(Y> Yards.—K. Given, scr, 1 ; L. Mcßetn, 50yds. 2; A. B. Ross, 20yds, o. Time. 2.22 S-5. Long Jump.—B. Given 1. J. R. Donaldson 2, K. Given and A. B. Ross, equal, 2.