TRACK AND FIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 35, 10 February 1940, Page 18

TRACK AND FIELD

NATIONAL MEETING

IMPRESSIVE ATMOSPHERE

In.recent years ceremonial has been associated .with the annual New Zealand > track and field championship meeting. \ Last; year, when the big gathering: was held at McLean Park, Napier,.something, on a grander scale in ;this: connection- was attempted than had''been'.seen before. There were some1 who felt thatthe ceremonial was carried. just a little too far on that occasion,;,but, nevertheless, the general opinion "was that the Hawke's BayPoverty Bay Centre officials did a very fine job'-of work and that they set a standard that .would, give the other centres, a. g'r.eat deal"to think about and one ''which would be of value to them in ■pla'nnjng' arrangements when their turns came again to hold the national meeting.' * - - - \ It is the Wellington Centre's turn this-year.T-and, as the Centennial of the Dominion.is being celebrated, the Wellington Centre, in addition to seeing that the management of the gathering is of the usual high standard associated with the conduct of sports meetings in this city, is making plans to ensure that the championships will be' decided in an impresstfve atmosphere. Under the rules of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association it is the duty of the centre which last held the championships to pass on for the guidance of the centre next in turn particulars which may be of help to that centre. Some very, useful information has f been received from the Hawke's Bay^overty Bay Centre. With Mr. NormanMcKenzie and., other live workers •among:1 its-officials, /this " centre lacks nothing in enthusiasm and enterprise, jit takes the view, and rightly so, that the.New Zealand track and field chamipionships ,arean important annual event in the sporting life of the Do.miriion. and it was with this in mind that-the Hawke's Bay officials set out •lastseason.to show.that the importance of the bccasion was not lost on them. Iriia preamble to details which the Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay Centre has passed oh for the benefit of the Wellington' Centre last year,' the contention is made, in support of having a !yictorji ceremony after each event, that the" victors and other place-getters should have their moment of triumph immediately at the conclusion of their respective events, in a surrounding athletic atmosphere and audience. '3UKLESQUE ON AMATEUR SPORT." "The practice of presenting New Zealand championship medals in a dance, hall .with an audience of jazz arid^ swing-time males and females is a burlesque on amateur sport," the memorandum' adds. "The occasion of the yearly championships is an important - event, and its importance should be recognised and -the events shouid be an inspiration to the youth of the day. • Such an important event, too, demands an official opening and closing, for it must be remembered that "nothing is lost by aiming for impressiyeness.'' The memorandum also states'that; itis considered by the Bay officials.that the provision of the board iniie'r circle1 to the 440 yards track is a necessity : and that ■ the N.Z.A.A.A. should insist upon its adoption. Although the Wellington Centre may not rgo • qjuite' as far as the Hawke's Bay-Poverty' Bay Centre did last time, the tentative arrangements that have been .^made provide for the incorporation of the main features of the ceremonial, associated with the championship; meeting at Napier last season. It caniiot' be denied that some strong points-are made in the Hawke's Bay memorandum. The meeting should be treated 7as'ah important event in the sporting •■ calendar of this country and

should be conducted in a way fully appropriate to the occasion.

Although the Wellington Centre's plans have not yet: all been finalised, tentative arrangements provide for a victory ceremony after each event, the provision of the board inner' circle for the 440 yards track, and the release of pigeons at the opening ceremony. The Wellington Centre is out to make a good show of the Centennial national meeting, and the information which Mr. Norman McKenzie and others have been able to give "will ■ be' of considerable assistance.

The meeting is to take place on the Basin Reserve on March 8 and 9.