MISCELLANY OF SPORT

Evening Star, Issue 22475, 21 October 1936, Page 5

MISCELLANY OF SPORT

it stood up to the demands made upon it, and it should not be long before this fine runner is down to training in earnest. He is to be trained this year by Mr Ted Bastings, who had such success with Lachie At‘Lachlan. Ted was at one time secretary of the West Coast (North island) Centro and a very useful sprinter in his day. R. Barnett, the tall Civil Service hurdler, has started training. He is doing light work at present, and if he elects to tackle the obstacles seriously he should give a good account of himself this season.

Jack Morris, the former Otago mile champion and cross-country titleholder, has not given the sport best altogether. He has a team of athletes under his charge, and by the way he moves with them he himself still has a good race left in him.

Keith Donovan, promising Caversham niiler, is settling to steady training at the Caledonian Ground. He has been confining himself to jogging during the last week or so, but should be ready for the evening meetings shortly. M. Butterfield and J. Dever, both well-known harriers with the Caversham Club, are taking up track competition this season, and should be seen in distance events at forthcoming meetings.

The St. Patrick’s Club should be better represented on the track this summer than for some years past. A number of keen young runners have been regular attendants at the Caledonian Ground during the last few weeks.

G. M. Spence, who was a useful man from 100yds to 440yds while attending the Boys’ High School, has joined the • University Club, but is training at present with the Anglican squad. He is concentrating on .starting at present, and confining his other work to jogging. Val Newall, who was runner-up in the Otago javelin throwing championship last season and was third in the New Zealand event, has started training, and with more regular opportunities for practice this season should regain his best form and be a formidable contender for the Otago title. The writer still believes that with regular training Newall should be able to approach the 190 ft to the 200 ft mark. Rex Creeser, the Otago javelin throwing champion, has been keeping himself fit with tennis lately, hut he intends commencing the season's preparations shortly. SUCCESS IN FIELD EVENTS TRAINING HINTS FOR ATHLETES Continuing last week’s article on ‘ Training,’ Douglas G. A. Lowe, the British Olympic 800 metres champion of 1924 and 1928, is again quoted. Success in field events has been said to depend 10 per cent, on natural ability and 90 per cent, on practice and technique; and the generalisation is sufficiently accurate to draw attention to the fundamental differences between most field events and the track events (most field events because the hurdles, although classed with the field events, partake equally of the nature of a track event). In the first place natural ability to run is less essential in field events; secondly, on to that natural ability have to he grafted one or more semigymnastic movements which require practice to perfect; thirdly, the element of competition is less pronounced. Whereas a race is itself an actual competition, in a field event the athlete has merely to achieve a better jump or throw, more or less at his leisure. Tactics do not enter into the matter; and the real test is which competitor can best reproduce a series of complex and scientific movements in a perfectlycontrolled, co-ordinated manner. Consequently, the really important training tasks are to devote careful attention to detail, which involves much thought and practice; to persevere for a long time, for it is a common error to expect immediate results in field events; and to acquire a knowledge of the art, either from study or coaching. Undoubtedly, it is more difficult to attain proficiency in field events than in track events, because of the more complicated technique and the relative lack of first-class performers whom one may study and imitate. But the Jesuits are so splendid that anyone with an inclination to hurdle, to high jump, to pole vault, or to throw the javelin will reap a great reward for assiduity iu training besides affording, if ho become a first-class performer, an immense amount of pleasure to spectators. Without doubt the best method of studying field events is to watch good performers. Much can be learnt from cinematograph films, especially slowmotiqn pictures ; and, of course, nothing is better than a film of one’s self with a revelation of all one’s defects as well as one’s merits.

A good coach is invaluable, though rare; hut the wise man never follows his advice slavishly. A good coach will teach and watch for faults, but every athlete ought to he thinking for himself as ho trains. Not only will lie find the game far more enjoyable, he will learn Lis own capabilities and gain confidence in his own judgment and powers

Ft is a useful plan to prepare a schedule for one’s training and competitions; for by this means no time need be wasted In debating what to do on a particular day, and the training may be kept varied, thus avoiding one cause of staleness. A word may bo said about the cultivation of self-confidence, which is not the same as self-conceit. One should know what one can do; plan one’s race in advance—of which more anon—go out fooling one is ready to do one’s best and win if possible. It may be said that confidence is the greatest asset on the track. It will enable one to keep one’s head and to ns? one’s judgment, to spot a weakness in an opponent and seize an opportunity; and it will ensure reproducing one’s best in a field event. The curious thing is that this quiet, modest confidence in one’s seif can be very well allied with “ wind-up,” from which most athletes sillier. Proper “ wind-up ” is only excitement produced an hour or so before the competition, and as such is an asset, for it gives just that little hit of extra dash which will carry one through. On tho other hand, excessive anxiety should lie dispelled by reflecting on the comparative unimportance in the world’s affairs of one athletic; contest. Next week: ‘Phases of Sprinting.’

N.Z. CHAMPION'S EARLY START Great things are expected of Brian Tapley, the New Zealand 100yds champion, this season. He lias made a much earlier start with his training than usual, and will be seen out at the coining evening meetings. Tapley did “evens” in winning the New Zealand 100yds title under conditions that were not of the best last season, and he won with something in hand. He is exceptionally keen, and there are good judges picking him to break Klsec this .season. He is young, and there is every reason why he should improve in most marked fashion. He intends lievoting a little more time to the 220yds this season. Bast year he put all his attention into the 100yds, hut he is a fine runner over the furlong as well, and he can be tipped now as one of the most likely sprinters in the Dominion with aspirations to collect the “double” at Auckland. A season’s Rugby lias done him the world of good, and with a few runs he should be turning in fast times. COMPETED AT THREE OLYMPICS Frank Wykoff must be rated as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, even though an Olympic sprint title has never come his way. Wykoff first startled the international track world by winning all three heats as well as the finals in one afternoon during the United States trials in 1928. However, when it came to the Olympic finals at Amsterdam, Frank was fourth behind Percy Williams, of Canada. The overwork had’done its job. Time and time again he lias laughed off misfortune and staged “ comebacks ” which have been almost miraculous. In 1929 he was near death’s door, underwent blood transfusions, but in 19.30 set a world’s record of 9 2-ssec for I 100yds. Another year he was kicked in the foot by a horse. The accidentbroke two bones, but Wykoff came back later in the season to defeat highly-touted rivals. He has won plenty of races and also lost a few. In 1932 a back injury did not do him very much good. However, he anchored the American sprint relay, team to an Olympic championship in world record time. He has not done much running since 1932, and since his graduation from the University of of Southern California has been a teacher in Californian schools. He specialises in biology. He and Lee Bartlett, the javelin thrower, were the only men in the track team who were competing at their third Olympic. Wykoff was just beaten for third place in the final of the 100 metres at Berlin by Osendarp, who turned in 10.5 see, as against the 10.3 sec returned by the winner, Jesse Owens, on a wet, slow track. MR G. L. TAPLEY AGAIN HONOURED Many tributes were paid to Air G. L. Tapley at the annual meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association on Monday night, and his re-election will be hailed with delight by athletic supporters throughout the province. Mr Tapley is a man of vision, and,' possessed of great enthusiasm, he brought the conduct of meetings to a high level last season. He saw to it that a systematic scheme of coaching was introduced, and once the meetings are under way will no doubt see to it that some similar plan is put into operation this year. To him was due in a very large measure the credit for the wonderful success of the New Zealand championships. He was no mere figurehead, but put in a tremendous amount of hard work throughout the season, his re-election being very popular and thoroughly deserved. INCREASED CAPITATION FEES ESSENTIAL Mr Ken. Miller was along the right lines at the annual meeting of the Otago Centre on Monday night when he proposed that a portion of the capitation fees should he set aside for the purpose of assisting to send teams to country meetings. This is a step in the right direction. A few years ago the country meetings were a very popular- feature of the season’s activities, but for some reason or another the support accorded some of the country clubs in recent seasons has not been so good as it might he. Jf the centre is able to arrange a list of dates for country clubs seeking the support of Dunedin athletes, there is no reason why these meetings should not regain their old popularity. Some good athletes have come from the country districts in Otago in recent years, and there is nothing like keen competition to bring out the best in them. Oamaru, Palmerston, and Milton especially should he able to attract athletes from Dunedin fairly regularly during the season, more particularly if the centre is able to give some assistance in the matter of transport. This should be possible with the increased capitation that was decided upon by the centre at its annual meeting. Various arguments against the increase in capitation fees wore advanced at this meeting, hut they were not very logical, and those putting them forward did not look at the matter in the broad light of the good of Otago athletics as a whole rather than a club point of view. If this province is to be adequately represented at New Zealand championship meetings in the future, some assured source of income is necessary, and capitation is the means by which such a fund can bo raised. The success of our men in national competition is Ihc surest way of increasing interest in the sport, and added support means that indirectly the clubs must benefit.

The amount of the increase is small, and should represent little sacrifice on the part of tho individual athletes to ensure the good of the sport as a whole. Amateur athletics in Otago made considerable advance last season, hut in. spite of the good profit made at the national track and field games the year ended with only a moderate credit balance in hand, a largo sum of money being spent in the purchase of modern hurdles and other equipment. To carry on the sport it is essential that the centre should have some assured source of revenue, and delegates would be very ill-advised to go back on their decision to increase the amount of capitation.

NOTES In accepting office as secretary of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association on Monday night, J. G. Barnes, former New Zealand mile and cross-country champion, announced his definite retirement from the track. He has been a leading personality in New Zealand athletics during the last decade, and it is extremely fortunate for the Otago Centre that it has been able to secure a man of his experience in all branches of the sport to succeed. Mr T. M. Brydone as secretary. Air Barnes has been a member of the centre for some years, and lias held the position of secretary of fhe Civil Service Club. As an executive officer, lie should be most successful, and associated with him as sports secretary will he Mr J. Shephard, a young and enthusiastic official, who is still in the ranks of active athletes.

The University Harrier Club has drawn up the conditions for the Lovelock Olympic Trophy which provide for its being competed for annually by teams representing recognised harrier clubs in a relay championship for teams of 10 competitors, cadi competitor to run 1,500 metres. The winner of the trophy is to hold it for the succeeding 12 months, and during that period will be responsible for its safe custody. The University Club will appoint seven judges and a referee to control the race. According to the Auckland ‘Star,’ the Auckland provincial championships may be held at Hamilton about the middle or end of February. In Afareh the New Zealand championships will be staged at Auckland. Addressing a gathering of amateur athletes in Alelboiirne last week, Olympian Jack Aletcalfe said that American athletes trained long before the season opens, but do practically no training during the season relying upon frequent competition to keep them fit. Nearly all the Americans at the games, he said, were more than six feet in height. The Technical High School sports are to be held at Carishrook to-morrow, but the Boys 1 High School sports will not he hold now until next Wednesday. The Sports Committee of the Otago Centre will arrange the programmes for a series of evening meetings on Friday night, and it is expected that the first fixture of the season will be held on the Caledonian Ground on Wednesday, November 4. BOYS' CRICKET ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE MEETING A committee meeting of tho Otago Boys’ Cricket Association was held last Alonday, Air M'Phee presiding over a good attendance of members. A letter was received from the Canterbury Boys’ Cricket Association suggesting that the annual matches be played on December 17 and 18. It was decided to accept those dates. It was agreed to start and finish matches a quarter of an hour earlier in order to arrange for the results to he broadcast in ample time. This means that junior matches will commence at 1.45 p.m. and finish at 5 p.m.. and senior matches will commence at 1.45 p.m. and finish at 5.45 p.m. As all the wickets will not he ready by October 31 and school teams will bo affected by withdrawal of members on November 7, it was decided that those teams which could not play on November 7 should be^ given preference when arranging the draw for October 31. The secretary was instructed to circularise the clubs and schools regarding entries for the under 17 competition. This competition would finish in December and it was decided to receive entries up to October 28. KIWI SWIMMING CLUB JUNIOR HANDICAP RAGES Further races in the junior handicap cup series were decided at the Kiwi Club hour at the Alntiicipal Baths last night as follow: — Two width breast stroke, girls under 10: Aliss J. APRohie 1, Miss Lorraine Kearns 2, Miss K. Thornhill 3. Boys, under 10: W. Knights 1. E. Griffen finished second, hut was disqualified. Girls, under 12; Aliss J. Hindinarsh 1, Miss AI. Goldthorpe 2, Aliss E. Goldthorpe 3. Boys, under 12: J. Pnrdie 1, D. Kiddell 2, D. Eindlater 3. The following teabis have been selected to represent Kiwi at the Labour Night carnival on Alonday next:— No. 1 ; Aliss D. Pope, Aliss O. Armour, Miss K. Ahernethy, and Al. Collins. No. 2: D. Reid, J. Balfour, AI. Goodwin, and J. G. Reid. No. 3: A. Thomas, Afiss J. Pnrdie, 1. Shaw* and R. K. Campbell. No. 4: P. E. Alafhioson. Miss Maud Stewart, Miss G. Harris, and C. Smith. No. 5; A. J. Leeden. V. Agncw, Aliss N. Harris, Aliss E. Goldthorpe. No. 6 : C. Lawrence, Aliss A. Gillies, I. Hall, Geoff Anderson. No. 7; C. Adams, Aliss C. Knowles, J. Barreft, D. Barrett. No. 8: P. Young, J. APlndoe, Aliss J. Guthrie, and C. O’Hara.

M.C.C. TOUR

AMENDED ITINERARY PROPOSED MATCH SOUGHT AT DUNEDIN The Otago Cricket Association, at a .special meting last night, decided to approach the New Zealand Cricket Council asking it to amend the Dominion itinerary for the tour of the M.C.C. team (at present in Australia) to allow a game being played at Dunedin. An alternative itinerary was submitted to the meeting, it being assorted that this would mean a saving of 1.000 miles in travelling by the team. The president (.Mr A. H. Allen) was in the chair.

The itinerary proposed by the New Zealand Cricket Council was as follows:—Leave Sydney by Awatea for Auckland on March 12; March 15. arrive Auckland and proceed to Christchurch: March 19-22, v. Canterbury, at Christchurch ; March 24-27, v. Wellington, at Wellington ; March 28-30, visit Rotorua: March 31 and April 2, v. Auckland, at Auckland. The Chairman said that the meeting had been called to ascertain whether it was advisable to approach the New Zealand Cricket Council concerning the possibility of a game being arranged between Otago and the M.C.C. team. The itinerary that had been anounced did not .provide for the team coming further south than Christchurch. The association was submitting an alternative itinerary to allow the Englishmen coming via Bluff .and calling at Milford Sound. This would give an opportunity of a match, possibly at Invercargill, and almost certainly at Dunedin, in addition to the games in the north. Personally, he thought the association should endeavour to get the New Zealand Council to alter its itinerary. Mr K. H. Ferguson said that he would submit an itinerary by which the visitors would have to travel much less than by the itinerary arranged by the council. Ho did not see why Canterbury should not do without a match for once. Other associations had stood down in the past. Otago had a great cricketing public, and there was a bigger attendance here for the match with the M.C.C. than was the case in Christchurch. He submitted as an alternative itinerary the following:—Leave Melbourne Wednesday, March 10; arrive Bluff Sunday, March 14 ; play Southland, March 15 and 10; play Otago, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 18, 19, and 20; play Wellington, March 24, 25, 26, and 27; visit Rotorua, March 28 to 30; play Auckland, March 31. April 1 and 2.

The secretary (Mr F. S. Wilson) said that they bad been left out in the cold in such tours time and again. When Mr J. At. F raser was a delegate on the New Zealand Cricket Council, they were prac lie-ally assured that they would he given a game with this team. It would he more to the convenience of tlie team if it came via Bluff. Mr D. A. Solomon said that when a deputation from the association had waited on the council previously it was told that the reason Otago had been left out was to save the English team as much travelling as possible. That argument did not apply on this occasion. and the fact should he stressed.

Mr J. A. Dunning said that lie did not think the English team would dream of playing more matches. He did not think it wise; to suggest a match at Invercargill. It would he better to give the English players time to look around. They could play a match here and matches in two of the three northern centres. He did not think the council would consider Southland. Since 1929. said Mr Dunning, seven games had been played against overseas teams in Auckland, and only three in Dunedin.

Mr Solomon said it might be wise to wait on file council instead of writing. Mr Alien said the annual meeting would be in a fortnight’s time, and he thought that that would he time enough. He was sure all were agreed that Otago was entitled to a match. The point should be stressed that the alternative itinerary meant a saving of 1,000 miles in travelling, and there was a possibility of a game here without the three fixtures in the north being affected. They must have balanced cricket, and they would not get it if the four centres did not have the same opportunities of meeting overseas’ teams. Ho thought the M.C.C. team would probably agree to such a proposal. Mr Ferguson moved that the secretary write to the New Zealand Cricket Council and ask what, could he done to arrange an additional match with the M.C.C. team at Dunedin, the suggestion being made that the itinerary should he revised along lines similar to those nronosed by Mr Ferguson. _ Mr F. N. Binney seconded the motion which was carried.