HOME FOR ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 301, 16 September 1936, Page 3

HOME FOR ATHLETICS

» Hataitai Reserve Offered WELLINGTON TRAINING GROUND ' — The president of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre, Mr. A. C. Kitto, announced yesterday that the centre had been offered the sole use of the Hataitai Reserve for the period October 12 to March 14. The offer is the outcome of negotiations between the centre and the Wellington City Council reserves committee. Mr. Kitto said the offer was made on certain financial terms, and included provision for the council to have the use of the ground on at least three Saturdays in the prescribed period. The ground would provide a centre for training operations and inter-club competitions. Mr. Kitto paid • a tribute to the helpfulness of the reserves committee and in particular of Mr. J. G. MacKenzie, director of parks and reserves, in having the centre’s needs supplied. “Athletes would be able to train praetically every day of the week from 4 pjn. to 8 p.m,,” continued Mr. Kitto. “The ground will also be available for use on Saturday afternoons, thereby making possible inter-club competitions, which it has not been possible to arrange before on account of the lack of suitable ground. This should prove of great benefit to amateur athletics generally. It should result in a considerable increase in the membership of clubs, and should stimulate greater interest among athletes. Moreover, I think there is no doubt but that it will result in an improved standard of performance.” Coaching Facilities. The engagement of special coaches was probable, said Mr. Kitto, such men as Messrs. J. W. McHolm, H. E. Wilson, C. H, Jenkins, Jimmy Wilton, P. Munro, T. W. Leslie and Len McKay, having expressed a desire to assist A proper schedule would be drawn up to place training on a definite basis. It had also been suggested that now that better facilities were available, athletes should be encouraged to specialise in certain events. As far as dressing accommodation was concerned, the men would have the use of the Wellington Football Club’s gymnasium at the southern-end of the ground and the women competitors the use of the accommodation reserved for the basketball girls during the winter. The women'competitors would also be adequately supervised, and a substantial increase in their number could be confidently pected.Rieferring to the ground itself, Mr. Kitto said that properly surveyed tracks are to be put down. It will be possible to have a four-lap track to the mile, and athletes will be interested to know that the ground lends itself to a straight track for the 220 yards event There are to be two jumping pits, one for the high jump and the other for the long jump and the hop, step and jump. These pits will be located just off the main ground, and there, most of the field events will be held, in order that the turf on the main area may be preserved as much as possible An Official Opening. October 17 has been decided upon as an official opening day. The intention is to invite his Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Lord Galway, who is the patron of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club, the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, who has always taken a keen interest in the sport, the Hon. R. Semple, member for the district. and representatives of the New Zetland Amateur Athletic Association, the Nev,’ Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games. Association, and kindred sports bodies, It is anticipated that there will :be about 200 harriers present, and for them a half-mile, one mile, and two miles events are to be provided. After the official opening, the centre will arrange club competitions, to be held probably onee a fortnight. The following special committee has been appointed to take control of the ground and the training operations: Messrs. T. W. Leslie (supervisor), A. Hose (Wellington club), V. Clifford (Athletic), P. Wilson (Olympic), F. Bond (Kiwi), and E, Perrett (Scottish). Training fees have been fixed at 5/- for seniors and 2/6 for juniors and the women competitors. Traniing is to commence on Monday. October 12.