MAKING GOOD ATHLETES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 9

MAKING GOOD ATHLETES

THE AMERICAN SYSTEM.

STUDY AND ORGANISATION.

WORK IN THE SCHOOLS.

Some idea of how the American athlete, who has carried off so many world's championships at the Olympic Games, is trained frOm his earliest school days was conveyed by Mr. Peixotto, manager of the team of American athletes now touring the Dominion, during the

course of a very interesting lecture on Modern developments in athletics and recreation in America" to a large audi-

ence in the Chamber of Commerce last evening.

Mr. Peix»tto, who was briefly introduced by the chairman, Mr. F. J- Ohlson, said that it was the general impression in some countries that America had discovered some secret which enabled her to produce Olympic champions, but there was no secret. To make a success of athletics at least three things were indispensable—hard work, study, and organisation. The primary factor in amateur Athletics was that men went in for athletics for the pleasure they would derive, and not for what they could gain. But for an athlete to become a performer of the highest class he must work. He must train hard, and must give up certain habits, which might be very hard for him to do. For instance, American trainers insisted that men should give up smoking and drinking, not' because such habits would do them much harm, but because they did them no good. Hard work was necessary every day to ensure good form. Study was also necessary, continued the speaker, particularly in field events. In running success depended more or less on the athlete's natural ability, but for such events as putting the shot, jumping, and hurdling, study was needed. During their present tour, the Americans had found that in New Zealand there were athletes who were quite as good physically as the best Americans, but still New Zealand field event records were much lower than those of America, and only because of a lack of knowledge. Keddell, the Southland " crack," said Mr. Peixotto was a man who had absolutely trained himself, and by reading literature, and studying his particular branch of athletics carefully, he had become one of the best hurdlers in the world. Regarding organisation, Mr. Peixotto mentioned the fact that none of the NewZealand athletic grounds contained the necessary appliances for training for field events, all these things were indispensable if the country was to produce world's champions.

Interesting the Children. Speaking of American methods, Mr. Peixotto said that the general aim was rather to get 90 per cent, of the population to take part in outdoor athletics than to produce a small band of first-class athletes, who would carry off many events at the Olympic Games. To this end no pains were spared to induce children to take an active interest in athletics from their earliest school days. It was the way in which the child spent his leisure hours on which his formation of character

depended. In the recreation systems of American primary schools adequate provision was made for athletics. In very many instances, owing to the limited space at the disposal of tho children, games had to be altered to suit the conditions of the

limited areas. In the majority of schools, there was a system of competition*. The boys of one standard were taken in the yard and put through various events, such as running broad jumps, etc., and after each child, or at least 80 per cent, of the standard, had performed, the average of the standard was taken. The averages of the various schools were compared, and the one with the highest average was given a trophy. In this way the authorities were able to discover the boys who were most in need of athletic training. Healthy Competition.

Another method of stimulating athletics was the athletic badge, particularly popular in New York, which was given to every boy who could run 60yds in 8 3-Se, jump a certain distance, and raise himself by his arms four times. Again, a trophy was given to the school securing most badges. This system, it was found, was invaluable in bringing boys up to what was considered a normal standard. The inter-school competitive meets were also a valuable means of building up the physique of the children, who competed in classes not defined by age but by weight or height. All over America, every effort was made to discourage the practice of giving valuable prizes for amateur event*, the aim being to encourage the boys to compete for the honour of winning. With the aid of a varied selection of lantern elides, Mr. Peixotto gave a comprehensive description of the means adopted by the public schools for indoor and outdoor recreation and physical training, and showed conclusively that no stone was left unturned to make the children physically fit for the battle of life. At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr. G J. Garland, chairman of the Auckland Edu cation Board, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, which was seconded by Mr. H. A. E. Milnes, director of the Auckland Training College, both epeakers dwelling on the great value of physical and athletic training in primary schools. Ihe motion was carried by acclamation