ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 118, 14 November 1925, Page 18

ATHLETICS

■r 'SpuiNTen."

ATHLETES BUSY

FIRST EVENING MEETING

THE SPORT AMONG WOMEN.

The first evening sports meeting of the season was conducted at Athletic Park on Monday under the auspices of the Selwyn Club. The track was in good order, but a cold northerly wind affected the competitors in one or two events. The one-mile handicap attracted a field of sixteen. D. Priestley was the back-marker on 20yds, but he was never in the picture. Three college boys, C. Leech and R. Leech (St. Patrick's), and E. Taylor (Technical) showed up well and filled the places. B. Leech won the mile open handicap at the Bt. Patrick's College sports. Two young runners, C. Thompson and J. I'leming, fought out a great finish in the 220 yards handicap, the former breasting the tape first by the barest of margins.. D. Paris (lyd), L. A. Tracy (scr), and W. Kyle (2yds) also competed in the furlong event. Tracy and Paris secured place* in their heats, but neither started in the final. Kyle showed up to advantage in tho inter-club relay. His club,' Wellington, were well behind for the last change-over, but Kyle put in a great run over the last distance arid was first to reach the tape. No good leaps wore registered in the long jump. H. Bennett, witli a handicap of lft 9in, was the winner. J. S. Wiggs was second with an actual jump of 19ft 2iu. Robinson and Flett were tho best of the cyclists. There were six runners iv tho <hundryd yards ladies' handicap. Miss F. Maritan won the race with a strong finish over the last forty yards in 13 4-5 hoc, Miss Wilds (oyds) was second, and Miss Porter (2Jyds) third.

The next evening meeting will be held at the Basin Eeserve on Monday... , ....

Ladies' Athletics,

With information which it luvb received from England, the New Zealand Council may now feel more inclined to give recognition to lady athletes. From a paper delivered by a vice-president of the British Women's' A. A; Association tho. following extract is of interest :—■■■'■

"We are very much in favour of field events lor women, realising that the upward stretching movements employedl iv them are of great yalue, and that the swaying and bending movements entailed, especially by the throwing events, are invaluable from . tlio point of: view bE improvement in the jntes. tjiial circulation. In fact, the majority of' 'health "systems' -have ' these movements as a basis for more than one group of exercises. My. association, the Women's. A.A.A. of England, has made an important .step in.the right direction by making all the throwing events, except the discus, bi-manual —throwing alternatively with/ the left and the right hands, which makes for equal development of the trunlS'

"In my opinion, the choice of events for young girls in athletics should be most' chiefly gone into. The years between 14 and 18 are most critical in a woman's Hie. And, until she attains the latter age and her frame becomes more set and her life regular, the less she does in the way ot' violent physical exercise^ the better,' go.'long as-her interest in those sports and recreations which will be of use to > her in. later life, is kept alive. For', this reason^ all. that the young woman or girl does in athletic^ should be guided iand controlled by experts, so that she may not either do too much and overstrain herself, or do wrong and unsuitable events and injure herself in any way. Since my association was formed in England wo have never had a single case of injury or strain, except in cases where the girls havo broken the fundamental rules of training. It is one of tho most beautiful tilings I can imagiue to see a group of young girls in summer happily' competing with each other, full of bon-cam-araderies and joie de vivre. But we must ensure- that from their young enthusiasm cornea no.ill results." Notes. ; The Porirua Amateur. Athletic Club has been granted permission to hold a sports meeting on Anniversary Day, 22nd January. On the same date there are gatherings at Palmerston North, and in the Wairarapa.

A number of enthusiasts in the Wairarapa have presented the Wajrarapa sub-centre with a silver cup designated the "E. A. Eose Commemoration Cup" for annual competition in the five-mile Wairarapa Crosscountry Championship.

Another attempt is being made by the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. to havo the Basin Reserve illuminated for evening sports meetings. At the monthly meeting of the centre on Tuesday it was stated that steps were being taken to obtain an estimate of the cost. Mr. A. C. Kitto said he thought that electric light meetings in Wellington would be a big success. He was sure they would' attract more spectators than the ordinary evening meetings. They had proved very popular in Sydney and Christchurch. It was decided that a deputation wait on the Beserves Committee of the City Council and present the views of the, centre.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand A. A. Council will be held in Wellington on the 23nl inst. As Mr. Davies has handod in his "osignation to the Auckland Centre, which he has Leen representing for some years, it is now certain thn-t the council will havo a now lender.

'i'ho question of whether Eugby League players, should be allowed to compete in football relay races was considered at a recent meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A, Mr. A. L. Lewis said that lie thought that somo of the League players were being paid for playing. The secretary (Mr. G. G. Lockwood) said that some of the League players were amateur athletes, and were eligible to run'in football relay races. So long as n nian hud not taken part in a. ayoi't fur eusli he wit* »» luuutour, »ud could I'UiJ ia relays.