Amateur Athletics

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 49, 21 November 1928, Page 8

Amateur Athletics

(By

“SPIKE”)

CENTRE’S LACK OF VISION CRUSHING THE CLUB SPIRIT

The Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, at its last meeting, refused the local clubs permission to bold sports gatherings, at which a charge was proposed to be made, but agreed to run a number of meetings, the profits to be divided amongst the city clubs. , . This policy, it appears, to Spike, is a conservative one, and is not in the best interests of the sport generally. The centre’s funds are. according to their rules, for administrative purposes only, and why should the clubs outside the city be‘debarred from participating in the profits? Another question which requires some thought is that bodies not affiliated, such as the Caledonian Society, and Labour Day sports, are granted permission to run meetings, and these on the best days of the year. The attitude of the Wellington'centre is going to kill club spirit, and push those men who are at present holding the clubs together, out of the game for all time. , It seems strange that the Cotone and Hutt clubs can run as many meetings as they wisii. while the city clubs are forced to sink their identity altogether. Secondary Schools Sports. The annual contest between secondary schools of Wellington, and Wairarapa for the McEvedy Shield, took place last week, and all the usual enthusiasm was shown bv the youthful athletes. J-his meeting is recognised by the Wellington public as one of the finest exhibitions of clean, keen sport they have the opportunity to witness, and many availed themselves of the half-holiday on election day to swell the crowd at the Basin Keserve during the afternoon. Glorious weather and a firm track, made conditions ideal, a ight souther y assisting competitors in the sprint, and performance in winiiinl' back the shield from Wairarapa wiJi a total of (18 points —13 points clear ot Hutt Valiev High School, the runners-up -re as -Nfr. R Kidsou, president ot the Secondary Schools’ Association, remarked at the close of the day a lino achievement. With new colleges springing up Wellington could no longer claim j the field through sheer numerical st lei igtli. Tradition and hard training tell in the end, however, and the old school was 11011 to the fore on Wednesday last. Her two sprinters J. B. and F. 11. Stephenson fin the senior and intermediate grades respectively) carried all before them, and / Te Albana in eclipsing the previous record high Tump of sft. 4in. established a hei'dit which should take some equalling. A Henderson, of the Hutt Valley High School deserves great credit for his per formances in the 440 yards, half-mile, and mile events, the second place occupied bv Hutt Valley being largely due to hi» efforts. Henderson is the possessor of . powerful sprint action which enables him to finish strongly m a distance event Several records were broken and equalled hut ns those sports were inaugurated onl.. seven years ago. none of the times were their colleges who leave school nt the end of this year are reminded of the words of Mr. Eidson at the conclusion of Wednesday s events. - advised competitors on leaving school not to neglect their athletics, but to join up with the various amateur clubs. “Studied Indifference.” Strong objection has been raised to the inclusion of Daunevirke in the Hawkes i,: writing C< to tl the Wellington Centre on behalf of the Maliawatu .Sub-Centre, tic Secretary (Mr. 11. W. Brown) stated that delegates were strongly of the opinion that the attitude of the Wellington Centre towards the sub-centre with reference to the formation of the Hawke s Bay bubCentre was one of studied indifleiencc. “The sub-centre,” he stated, "was not allowed to take any part in the deliberations which resulted in the V elliugtou Centre deciding to form the new subcentre. It is considered that the local subcentre should have had the opportunity of placing its views before a conference Held between the sub-centres whose boundaries possibly would be affected by the formation of the new body. It was resolved, therefore, to strenuously oppose any alterations in this sub-centre's boundaries. I urther to the above, I quote a letter, received by the I’apatawa Club, which states inter alia: ‘Under instructions from the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. a meeting was held on Saturday last in Napier, with the object of forming a sub-centre. The constitution was duly approved. Although you were not represented at this meeting. I presume as you are an amateur body you will be desirous of joining up, and I shall be pleased to receive your application as early as possible ... “Similar letters.” the secretary added, “have been received by the M oodyille, I’apatawa, Kumeroa, Hopelands, and Kuahine Clubs. The last three mentioned have already intimated that they have no desire to secede from this sub-centre. The M oodville Club is defunct. It is perhaps needless for me to point out that vv hile Dannevir'ke is only 34 miles from Palmerston North, that place is S 5 miles from Napier—so there cannot be any argument in favour of Dannevirke’s affiliation with the Hawke s Bav Sub-Centre on the score of accessibility—rather the reverse, as is confirmed by the statement of the Ruahme Club s delegate that Palmerston North is much more convenient. , . , “Apart from all that has been stated, I should like to point out that the defection of the clubs on the other side of the ranges would reduce the strength of this

sub-centre approximately 60 per cent. AVould it then be possible for this body, formed after years of battling, to carry on and further the good it iias admittedly done in fostering amateur athletics in tlie territory under its jurisdiction? Again, why should this sub-centre be victimised to strengthen a newly-formed body, whose territory is much more extensive than that of this‘sub-centre? This sub-centre contends, therefore, that there are no grounds whatever to justify tlie inelusion of Dannevirke in the Hawke’s Bay Sub-Centre.” Progress Needed.

AVhile acknowledging that the sport is fortunate in the men who form the various administrative bodies, the “Lyttelton Tinies” writer contends that more progress is needed for athletics to be placed on a sounder basis in New Zealand. He says- "The administration of amateur athletics tliis season has not been outstandingly successful, nor has it been of sufficient wisdom to give the sport the boost among the jiublic tiiat is so necessary for its advancement. Certainly, the administration has been by no means bad, and there are plenty of hard-working and earnest officials controlling the sport, but there has been too much evidence of tlie happy-go-lucky attitude among officials. Notable among the failures of the present season has been the cancellation of tlie visit of an American team. That the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was unable to obtain a tour of overseas athletes following the Olympic Gaines, showed that something was lacking in the negotiations. It is still possible that some tour or other may be arranged, but this happening is improbably, and present indications are that the 1928-29 season -will hold nothing of a nature to attract and foster public interest in athletics. It is now a recognised fact that tlie New Zealand public, outside AVellington, will not attend athletic meetings unless some attraction ot an outstanding nature is provided. 'Hus season is devoid of any event out of Hie ordinary, and it does not appear that public apathy towards the sport will be re* moved, to any great degree.” AVellington Club.

The AA’ellington Club Avas well represent* ed at tlie Petone meeting last Saliirilay. Most of the club's members were on the back marks, and as it is rather early in the season for runners to show their best form, hone of the trophies came their "in tlie junior events, L. AViliiams and A. Parsons ran well, and witli a little mo’-e training will soon be saluting the judge. "Sam” Gudsell, wiio ivns the club's sole representative in tlie mile walk, was not able to slioav his best form, having been down with tlie ’flu Hie previous day. Nevertheless, he put up a great performance, and with a great effort finished into second place. C. F. Thompson (14yds.) was slow off the mark in the quarter, but soon made up his lost ground, and with a spirited finish dead-heated with C. Allan for second place in 52sec. The rclav was again a triumph for the club's sprinters. The team, whieli consisted of ,1. Fleming, A. Telfar, J. Barlow, and C. Jenkins, won easily by over twenty yards. . M. Gane was the best of the clubs cyclists, and with a little more luck would have AVon the mile event. Miss Blatherwick showed best form among the ladies. Miss Miller certainly would have been closer up in Hie 100yds. it there had been sufficient lanes tor all. Some competitors have a bud habit of crossing. Olympic Club.

Sixteen members joiiritoyed out to Petone last Saturday to compete at tlie lirst daylight sports meeting of tlie season. and although only a few plaetngs came their way, It was pleasing to note tlie younger members shaping 'veil so early in the season. Abrahams, AViliiams, McKelvie, and Carr contested the 100yds. open, tlie last-nameil runner shaping very well indeed for a novice. From the seven yards mark he did well to finish a close fourth in his heat. Owing to insufficient training, these sprinters were wise not to overdo things, and they left the 220yds. alone. In the 440vds. handicap, Bloom, McGreevy, and AA’eston faced the starter, but were Avell beaten. MeGteevy failed to finish, but was nursing himself for the relay. AVeston and AVatt started in the SSOytls. handicap, and whilst neither could foot it witli the placed men they ran will. Alex. Hill, the promising young walker, fresh from his easy victory at the AA’ellington College sports, was eager to compete in the one mile AA-alk, but was advised to rest for a while. From the 75yds. mark, Tutty put up a good showing in the one mile run. He is inclined to leave his run too late, and when he gets out of this habit he should have a Avin or tivo. Jeffs ran well iii this event; , The cyclists were, as usual, well to the fore. The promising young rider, bellman, ■ secured laa-o Avins and sboived great promise. His ride in the oite mile junior Avas full of merit. J. Rooney, another junior, also rode very well in his events, but needs a lot of racing experience. Scarfe and Horsfall competed in the “A” grade cycling events. Both of these riders were Avell placed in their heats, but found the finals too hard. Horsfall was third in the one mile final The relay team was last in the relay race, but the team fielded was a very ordinary one. AVith AA alker, Campbell, Paris, and Clementson not competing, one junior had to be called upon lhe team Avas: Abrahams, Pullan, McGreevy, and Tutty. A New Era-

It Avas decided at the final meeting of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia on November 2 that silver and bronze medallions be substituted for the gold and silver medals that heretofore have been given to winners of Australasian track championships. The design will retain the various State emblems, with the N.caa Zealand shield deleted, as the’ Dominion has withdrawn from the agreement uith the Australian States. The fir.t Aus tralian track and field games championshins under a new arrangement v.lll be held in Melbourne in 1930, the second meeting- to be held in Sydney in UM-:. The cost of Australia’s representation at tlie Olympic Games “mounted to £6<l- - amount subscribed was fciUJO. An Antiquated Clause. If athletes were told that they could ba disqualified for not wearing the neek-to-knee” costume, they Wo P ll \ p f y°f fc-J outright. The garb adopted tor the last few vears is the clean-cut and healthy costiiine of abbreviated shorts and sleeveless singlets. Practically every runner is attired in modern costume, yet according to the rules, which state that neck-to-knee” costumes must be worn, be is liable to disqualification. The sooner the rn absurd as it noiv is, is removed, the better for the sport. Kiwi Club. The Kiwi Club Was represented by eight members on Saturday last at Ictmie, and was successful in securing one Inst, tAAO seconds, and two thirds. , . Of tlie four who toed the mark in the 100 yards. Stone and AYickens Won their heats, both being off the same mark. lhe final resulted in a good win tor AA ickcns, with Stone third AVickens also gaihed a nlace in the 220 yards, tilling second place to Ferguson, both in his heat and final. This is his first season and he certainij made a promising debut. At the end of last season Stone was showing good form and looks like coming up to expect.it < u>. His future performances will be natchcu W The ni clui)‘s only representative in tlie half-mile was Russell, but it avws c ear that he is nowhere near fit jet. lhe mxt two oi? three meetings will see a bi o im provement, however. Murphy was the only junior competing, but lie made up for f llO la . ek liv running into a place in both junur events. His second in the 12°/“ r ''s 3 1In1 was a good effort, while in the 300 yards lie was actually fourth, but through Stott s disqualification took third place. time out will no doubt see him on a smaller ’"vei'tcli. as Is to be expected, is not hurrving his training. Te started in the 440 vards off the 2 yards murk, but in orffiw to lie available for tlie relay race, run immediately afterwards, did not finish. Had lie elected to do so. there seems little doubt lie would have gained a place. Due of the new members, Lurlong. was seen in the 100 and 220, and although he (lid not get placed, should do much better in a week or two. Cochrane and Hutchison were both placed fourth in their respective heats of tho 2‘>o yards. ‘“‘Tlie relay team, consisting of A'eiteii, Stone. Furlong, and Cochrane, was fourth in a field of six, over a distance of about The next meeting or two should see a larger representation from the elull, several iioav members of which promise well.