ATHLETIC REVIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 15

ATHLETIC REVIVAL.

BRIGHT PROSPECTS.

I AMORETTI FAMILY.

FORMS MOUNT ALBERT CLUB

During the past seven or eight years amateur athletics have experienced a great revival throughout the province and last year saw nearly 1000 registered athletes in the area under the control of the Auckland Centre, N.Z.A.A.A. While there has been, no new club formed within the metropolitan area of late the last few years have seen the formation of clubs at Otahuhu, Manurewa, Hunua, I'apakura and now Mount Albert. The prospects and possibilities of the latter club caunot be easily •estimated. It requires courage and confidence to form a new club, but the people responsible for the Mount Albert A.A.C. possess these attributes, and already their members have made their presence felt on the athletic track. Gribble-Hirst Park has become the headquarters, and this area may well become one of the best tracks within the Auckland area. At present it is hardly formed enough to gauge the '"life" in the ground, but being largely volcanic soil there is no reason why it should not become one of the fastest tracks. There is room for improvement before it becomes a first-class ground, but in view of the large area that it serves there is no reason to suspect that thoee responsible will fail in their du%r to provide for the athletes of the district. Invariably the formation of a new club means a foundation of members from other clubs, but Mount Albert has already done much to carry out the reason for its formation—to encourage athletics within its own district. Probably no other club at its formation has such a high percentage of absolute newcomers to the sport, and the committee of the new club is to be commended on its methods. This policy is already bearing fruit, "and among the new recruits to the sport are several most promising athletes. Two Promising Newcomers. W. Freer is still qualified to" compete as a junior, and for a novice of his age to turn in a half mile off scratch in 2.9 is highly promising when one considers that the Auckland junior 880 yards championship was won last year with 2.5 4-5. On the frail side, Freer nevertheless possesses stamina the ability to judge his run well; he should go far if carefuHy watched. H. Goodsall has already shown his capabilities as a javelin thrower, though he had never handled the spear until the initial meeting of the club. This athlete may go far. Of splendid physique for a field event man he relies at present far

too much on hie strength, but with the application of science to his methods he should certainly become one of our leading javelin throwers and, if he picks up the finer points, discus throwers. The name of Amoretti will always be linkecr up with the Mount Albert Club, for this family was responsible for its formation. Mother, two daughters and son are competitors, and the latter is the first secretary. While one must admire his enthusiasm in taking on this position V. R. Amoretti will doubtless notice an effect on hia running. Of splendid physique for a runner he should direct his capabilities towards the quarter mile flat and the quarter mile hurdles, for he has shown distinct signs of promise over the distance, and he possesses the necessary strength for ■ tie hurdles, perhaps the hardest event on the track programme. OTAHUHTJ CLUB. At St urges Park last evening at the Otahuhu Amateur Athletic Club's second evening meeting an increased flood lighting (operating for the first time) was greatly apjireeiated by the competitors. Miss O. Russell repeated her previous week's performances by winning both of the ladies' events. J. 11. Brassey gained his fourth successive win, capturing both of the junior events in fine style. Still another dual winner was C. \Y. Bell, his quarterwile run being a fine effort. Gnod fields in the cycle events, with keen riding and close finches, appealed to the crowd. Results :— Girls^ —12 years, 100 yards: Betty Donglas. Iyd, 1 ; Megan Davis. Biyds, 2; Vivian Kirkhani. Iyd. 3. Time, 13 3-58. 15 vears 100 yards: B. Davies. 16yds. 1: Heather •lows, 6J.vds. 2; R. McConochie, 9vds. 3. Time. 12 l-ss. Boys.—l 2 years, 100 yards: T. Kills. 14yds, 1: J. Pearson. 2; A. Brown. 3. Time. 12 2-ss. 15 years. 100 vards: L. MeFetridge. 14* yds, 1 ; A. Cooper. 4yds 2: \V. Sharp. 12yds. 3. Time, 11 4-os. 15 years. 220 yards: A. Cooper. 9vds. 1- D Low. 2; W. Sharp. 22yds, 3. Time. 27 4-ss. Junior.—loo yards: J. 11. Brassev. syds. 1 : Stan Ilaslip, lOJyds, 2 : R. Man sell. scr. 3. Time. 10 2-ss. 440 vaTds: J. II Brassey. 13yds. 1; R. Mansell. 4vds. 2; J Nicholson, 24yds. 3. Time. 52 3-os. Ladies. —75 yards: 0. Russell. lOvds. 1: G. Lowe. 91yds. 2; K. Munro. scr. 3. 100 yards: O. Russell. 12yds. 1 ; M. Gricdrod scr. 2: M. Me.irs. 4vds. 3. Time. 12s. Senior.—loo yards: C. \V. Bell. 4yd*. 1 : R. McDowell, 10yds. 2; C. Xaden. >Jyls. 3. Time. 10 2-ss. 440 yards: \V Hell. 17yds. 1; I'almer. 30yds. 2; Airken. Iliyds. 3. Time, 51 3-ss. One mile: Millk'an. 170 yds. 1 ; McDowell. KSOyds, 2; Sutdiffe. 140 yds, 3. Time, 4.19 1-5. i