ATHLETIC CENTRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 9

ATHLETIC CENTRE

AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES. POPULARITY OF SPORT INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP The increase in popularity of athletics as evidenced by the larger number of registered athletes compared with three years ago is a feature of the report to he presented at the annual meeting of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, to bo held next day. Tlio report ptates that in the season of 1934-35 there were 334 registered athletes in the Auckland Province. The total Inst season was 1.1-10, representing an increase of 806. Nine clubs were affiliated last year, bringing the total of fclubs under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Centre to 36.

To the number of athletes mentioned may -ho added tho vast number of both primary and secondary school boys who during the year took keen interest in the sport. It was alsopleasing to record an Increased number of registrations ..from junior and women competitors, particularly in view of tho fact that tho centre will have to prepare teams for the newly-established Now Zealand junior and women's championships. There was a small profit over tho year and tho bank balance .is £2l*l 0s 10d. The bal-ance-sheet shows that there was no serious loss on any of the sports meeting?., \ Visit From Australia Although no definite advico has been received from tho New Zealand Council, thero is every possibility that Auckland will receive a visit from a team of Australian athletes during tho coming season. The sporting sub-committeo of the Auckland centennial celebrations organisation was successful in securing the New Zealand Centennial Games for Auckland., This centre will control the athletic portion of these games. Twelve were selected to compete at the Empire, Games trial meeting at Wellington., The New Zealand team to compete at tho Empire Games included the Aucklanders J. G. Leckie, A. J. Sayers and Misses Lumley and Mitchell, the two lastnamed gaining places in their respective events. * _ The second annual relay championship meeting was held at Hinemon Park, Hamilton, tho now ground used by tho Waikato Sub-Centre. Tho centre iH convinced that this typo of meeting will'become increasingly popular with the public, as well as with athletes. Tho Auckland provincial championships were held at Carlaw Park on February The standard of competition was pleasingly high and the champions for 1038 were of .good average championship class. The number of entries was large. Tho attendance was not as great as in'past years. The centre was fortunate in that tho Canadian team, returning from tho Empire Games, remained in port" for two days. This enabled the centre to stage a night carnival at Carlaw Park. Although the tracks were slow after rain, tho Canadian athletes gavo brilliant displays before a large and apprecitivo attendance. A team of 12 competitors was sent to the New Zealand championship meeting at Christchurch.. Mr. Moon accompanied the team as a delegate to tho conference of centres. Tho average performance of tho toam was satisfactory, although the only title-winners were M. C. Baker, S. J. Wade and C. P. Clegg. As determined by the centre at tho commencement of tho season, scratch racing was abandoned. Progress in Waikato Clubs in the Waikato Sub-Centre again enjoyed a successful year. Most clubs staged a successful annual carnival, as well as regular club meetings. New territory was opened up with tho inclusion in tho Waikato area of the Tauinarunul club and the formation of an amateur club nt Te Kuiti. The subcentre is to bo congratulated upon the progress made by the sport in tho Waikato. • Tho annual reports and balance-sheets'to hand show that all clubs enjoyed prosperous seasons. Although the bnnk balances are not large, it is evident that, all clubs arc striving to provide their members with regular, competition. The centre is ready to co-operate with the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation, and to undertake any duties allotted; to it. Congratulations are extended to Dr. T. H. Pettit upon his appointment .to the Council, and to Mr. C. R; Bach. 'one of the centre's members, who was appointed to the position of welfare officer under the council.» - Although tho need of an expert coach is well recognised, the employment of a professional coach is still beyond the means of tne centre. To raise funds to employ theii coach, the Wellington Centre is seeking permission to run an art union. Interest in athletics is increasing in all schools, both primary and secondary. The standard shftwn at somo of tho school championships was most encouraging. • . The provincial cross-country harrier championship, held at Hamilton, was controlled by tho Waikato Sub-Centre. The event saw victory go once more to that persistent veteran J. w.\Savidan. The jumor cross-country chnmpionshlp brought a good field, the title being won by N. Ambler. , The New Zealand cross-country harrier championship was conducted by the West Coast Centre at New Plymouth. The Auck. land team, weakened by the absence of Savidan. Waters and Briggs, put up a satisfactory performance, although it could not maintain the pace set by tho Otago and West Coast teams. The marathon has been granted provincial championship status. The centre has not yet been able to persuade the New Zealand coun,cil to establish a Dominion marathon championship. VISITS FROM OVERSEAS i DOMINION COUNCIL'S APPROVAL [BY TELEORArH-—PIU'SS ASSOCIATION] ! WELLINGTON, Tuesday A tour of the Dominion by Australian or other overseas athletes in 1040* was agreed on by the council of the New' Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to-night. At the .#nme time, the Otasro Centre was granted permission to conduct its own tour by the Victorian athletes Backhouse and Best, subject to the Itinerary and details of other arrange' ments being furnished. The annual meeting was fixed for November , 20.