AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Star, Issue 21825, 14 September 1934, Page 14

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

SOUTH ISLAND COACHING SCHOOL OTAGO ASKED TO CO-OPERATE Otago’s co-operation with the Canterbury Centre in the promotion of a South Island coaching school for amateur athletes was sought at last night’s meeting of the Otago Centre in a letter from Mr W. J. Bennett, an ex-member of the Otago Centre. Mr E. L. Macassey presided over a good attendance, which included a number of visiting harriers who are here to compete in the New Zealand cross-country championships on Saturday, and Mr L. A. Tracey, hon. sec. to the N.Z. Council, N.Z.A.A.A. The proposal for the training school, as outlined by Mr Bennett, is that not more than fifty promising field men and active coaches should be billeted at Oamaru from January 2 to 6 for intensive instruction in field events and hurdles with lectures on training for the three types of distance, physical exercises for general and particular training and advice by a medical man. Clubs were asked to nominate men by the date of the next centre meeting, so that the local committee’s work could be made easier. The Otago Centre was asked to set up a sub-committee to help the scheme and to get apparatus. Two Olympic films would be available, and it was expected that the expenditure, apart from travelling costs, would not exceed 255. Canterbury wanted to send forty men, but were willing to curtail the number. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Clark, Morgan, Holley, Dimmick, and Ryan was appointed to act in conjunction with Mr Bennett. GENERAL. The Chairman congratulated Alister Stewart on winning the University cross-country championship at Wellington, and also the Otago University on winning the teams’ race. He also extended his congratulations to the winners of the Otago Cross-country Championships (W. A. C. Pullar and R. G. Colson). The harrier sub-committee reported that arrangements were well in hand for the New Zealand cross-country championship, and for the Marathon race. Entries for the latter event would close a week, before hand. It was resolved to hold the' annual meeting of the centre on October 8. At the conclusion of the business Mr Tracey addressed the meeting on matters of importance to amateur athletics and on the work of the governing body. He dealt principally with the question of . reinstatement of athletes, and answered a number of questions concerning the advisability of spending the council’s funds on coaching in New Zealand instead of using the money to send teams overseas. In dealing with matters relating to registration and affiliation. he said that for the year ended September 11 there were 2,593 registered runners in New Zealand.