AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 19 November 1932, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

OLYMPIC OARSMEN’S SOUABBLE SEASON OPEN IN HAWEEA SOME: HINTS FOR FOCAL BOYS. By “Physical Culturist.” Evidently the Olympic rowing coach Mr. Healey, by ins statements to a widely-read weekly newspaper, has roused a hornet’s nest, judging by the Buzzing that is going, on. AVhile agreeing an the main with all that Mr. Healey, has said, this writer does not agree with all the weekly lias published. 'For instance this paper which prides itself on its outspokenness and the truth, in the issue under the date of November 9, 1932, says “The daily paper in question, which like all the principal daily papers in the country, gave full prominence to the attacks on Healey by the disgruntled oarsmen, now expresses the following opinions.” Then follows an extract from the daily in question, with the critic’s comment thereon. However, “Physical Culturist” takes exception to the statement, “which like all the principle, daily papers in the country gave full prominence to the attacks on Healey,”, and would ooint out that, before the weekly published, the interview with Healey an which the latter stated, his defence, this writer did not mince matters when the papers published the. oarsmen’s complaints. In his column of the “Star” (which whether the weekly considers it a “principal” or not, is more than fifty years established and in its time has played a prominent part 411 the affairs of the Dominion of .which the least has not been sport), he expressed the opinion which has since been endorsed by Mr. Healey, an opinion which was a palpable truth to one who new anything about the ■ training of oarsmen. Ther e was no need to wait for the opinion of the coach. “Physical Culturist” commented on this subject on October 22, while the interview with Air. Healey was not published bv the city weekly until some days later-. AMATEUR ATHLETICS. So far as new members are concerned the present season is a- record for the Hawera Amateur Athletic Club, there being 18 new members and all enthusiasts. The club is this season endeavouring to encourage juniors, several of whom give promise. To mention only two, there are Barney Thomas and Len Toy, who ran off a tie to decide who should win the points prize at Eltham, which Barney won, possibly owing to fitter condition, he having had about seven weeks’ training in comparison to three weeks by Toy. .Condition will always tell. A tower of strength to the club is Dave Ekdahl, who is good at sprinting and is showing promise with the discus.

AVhile these notes are being written the club is holding the first evening meet of the season. The writer is advised that this is due to the annual meeting being held so recently. As. pointed out by the writer, some members complained/that other clubs were in the van. However, nothing much could be done till the recent show was over.

Arthur Newall, whose injured foot has caused him a lot of trouble, lias again commenced to train and, if his foot will stand the work-out, will be among the hurdle winners. A. Mullins, who is back in Hawera again, is an acquisition to the club, as he has always been a trier. Another who takes training seriously is Vern Stratton, who is' probably better over hurdles than on the flat. Stratton is a keen physical culturist, which accounts for his present condition. There is only one thing needed in order that the club may have a successful season, and that is that each member shall “give and take” for the general good and remember they are amateurs. The only way to do this is to foster the team spirit and remember that next to being a good winner is to be a good loser. The club has the makings of some good athletes'. The writer is convinced that with the material on hand some good coaches only are required to get the best out of "them. More especially does this apply to the field games. Ben Johnston is attending to the runners and may be depended upon to get satisfactory results. If the writer may offer a word of advice, it is, “Don’t interfere with a coach if the club considers one worthy of appointment to the position of coach, give him a free hand and don’t hamper him with advice.” It is always well also to remember that there never yet was a good man but that somewhere in the world there was a better. Hawera in Stan Lay liad a champion javelin thrower, he is no longer in the club, hut the men. who were responsible for coaching him along are still in Hawera and if approached in the right spirit the writer believes they would still give the benefit of their knowledge. The material is in tlio club; it only requires those with experience to weld it into shape.

CONSIDER, THE' CLUB CAPTAIN: It is curious, but (nevertheless a fact,- that the club captain gets most of the work to do*. Hawera has had some good skippers ■in the past, good athletes and good workers too. For some time Leji Hunt filled this position and then the members wishing to honour Stan Lay, they elected him, apd now the popular Len Barton occupies this responsible, but unenviable, position. It is an honour the writer admits entailing a lot of rcsonsibility. However, a club captain cannot do justice to himself as an athlete if given more than his share of work to do. Both Hunt and Lay made their mark as athletes before , they were elected to the position as captain (and the writer is of opinion that they did not improve as athletes when in office). The new captain is one who lias studied the interest of the club before himself. Last season he devoted a lot of time and hard work as trainer to both Cambie and Wills, while-. between times his services were at the disposal of others. Len is the physique of which hammer, shot- and discus throws are made—and with tins end in view through the winter has conditioned and otherwise •improved his physique. _lt is up to the members to rally round the captain and by assisting with the work, give him a chance to score some points.

R TINNING SHOES

Possibly the best pair of shoes ever seen in Hawera, at lleast for 30 years, are a pair made this -season for Keith Cambie. These are the envy of the athletes who daily assemble on the showground. Keith lias always been well shod, his last pair being made to order by an Auckland firm famous for its- running shoes. After reading an article in this column of the “Hawera Sjtar” on running shoes., Cambie de-

cided to get a pair ias described. To this end his measurements were taken, by the writer and checked by a local tradesman, himself one of the few .in this country who us<?d to make similar shoes, hut who. says there is not sufficient inducement to wnrrpnt specialisj„or in this line. 80, acting on Ins advice Keith sent to Sydney for shoes niade by Patterson, of; Surrey Hills, who specialises in running shoes, as his father did before him. Thei-0 is no doubt a well-fitting shoe makes the difference between winner and laser in a close finish race. It is not only .in Hawera but in other towns that athletes complain they can only puy rer.dv-made shoes. Twice recently the •athletic writer in the New Zealand! “Sportsman” has pointed out the need in this direction. In the meantime athletes are compelled to support other' makers overseas.

AA r ANTED —A GOOD RUNNING TRACK.

It fins been .stated. more than once that we will never win a race at the Olympic Games until our 'athletes have suitable cinder tracks to train on. The writer is afraid that, up to date as Hawera is, it will be some time before such a track is available here, so the next best thing is a good grass track, which Len Barton its doin« his best to provide. Following the show, the track, which ns by no means level, Was very much cut about hv horse events, the hoof prints -or which take a lot of working out. However, all things come to ' those who wait. May a cinder track come soon . ; -