PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ SPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22833, 18 March 1936, Page 7

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ SPORTS

THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES IN OTAGO ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL REPORT A successful year's activity is disclosed in the fifteenth annual report of the Otago State Primary Schools’ Sports Association, which states as follows: — The many activities of the association continue to prosper. At a general meeting it was decided that sub-associations might, if they desired, enter competitors from their districts as teams, to compete for the trophies at the swimming carnival and athletic sports. Two subassociations took advantage of this change at the athletic meeting. The executive regrets to report that the Dunedin North Intermediate School discontinued participating in the weekly competitions, as it wished, for a year at least, to concentrate on the “ house ” system within the school. It took part, however, in the swimming and athletic sports, as well as in the basketball tournament.

The executive has again been responsible for the setting up of sub-com-mittees for the carrying on of the various activities, and it is pleasing to report that these sub-committees have carried on their duties excellently. The subcommittees which have functioned during the year are as follows:—Cricket, lawn tennis, swimming, Rugby football, Association football, boys’ hockey, girls* hockey, basketball, and athletics. The sub-committees elected to organise and control the boys’ games report having had very successful seasons, a contributing factor being the fine weather experienced. In the Association football competition entries were slightly fewer, owing to the withdrawal of the Dunedin North Intermediate School teams, but in both Rugby and boys’ hockey entries were on a par with last year’s numbers. Interest in the various competitions was well maintained, and many excellent games were witnessed. In these three games, at the of the various provincial governing bodies, the snb-committeea assisted in the arranging of representative matches, in which the Otago boys acquitted themselves with credit to the association. In Rugby the sub-committee arranged matches with the South Otago and Taieri Sub-associations. The South Otago match was played at the Caledonian Ground and resulted in a win for the Dunedin team by 10 points to 7. The match against the Taieri Sub-association was played at Outram and a keenly contested game was won by the Dunedin team by 9 points to 8. The _ sub-cop-mittee which controlled the’ girls’ winter games also reports having experienced a successful season. The Cricket Sub-committee reports another successful year, although difficulty was experienced in playing full rounds of matches owing to adverse weather conditions. The Lawn Tennis Sub-com-mittee experienced a successful season. Three competitions were carried on this year instead of two for the purpose of meeting the needs of smaller schools. The swimming carnival on April 11 and 12 was probably the most successful held under the auspices of the association. Entries totalled 601, an increase of over 100 compared with the previous year. The standard of swimming was very good and excellent finishes were witnessed in nearly all events. The Begg Cup was retained by Dunedin North Intermediate, with Arthur Street runner-up. The relay races for the Olds Cup were decided in December, both cups being won by Union Street. The demand for beginners’ swimming certificates was greater than for last year, 430 being issued by the association. The annual athletic championships were held at Logan Park on November 2, and the sub-committee reports having had 'a very successful meeting. Owing to the fine weather, the attendance of the public was greater than has been the case for the past two years. Entries totalled nearly 1700—a record—from 45 schools and two sub-associations. Country schools continue to give the meeting their support, and this year entries were received for the first time from the Teaneraki, Papakaio, and Pine Hill schools, and also from tlie Waitaki Boys’ Junior High School. Country schools figured prominently among the winners of the various events. St.’ Clair was again successful in winning the shield, with Forbury as runner-up and Oamaru North third. The tabloid event was won by Waitaki and the Basketball Passing Race by North-East Valley. Instead of a display of drill, the display consisted of evolutional marching, followed by folk dancing by squads of girls from various schools. The meeting was a financial success, a large credit balance being shown. The sub-associations still continue to prosper. The executive was represented at sports meetings held at Broad Bay, Berwick, Balclutha, Oamaru, Lawrence, Roxburgh, and Tapanui. Owing to the Maniototo meeting being held on a week day, it was impossible for ns to be represented at the meeting at Oturehua, It is with regret that the executive reports the death of Mr Ralph M’Donald, secretary of the Peninsula Sub-associa-tion. Mr M'Donald was a tower of strength to the sub-association, and his passing is regretted by all. The executive is pleased to report an improvement in the financial position of the association. This is due to the increased receipts from the swimming carnival and the athletic meeting. No disbursement was made to school committees, but it should be possible to distribute the surplus during the coming year. The Reserve Fund has been increased by the addition of the infei ist received during the year, and the executive feels that the association has reason to be proud of its financial position. During the year there was only one change in the personnel of the executive, Mr A. M. Miller being replaced by Mr J. E. A. Clemens as the representative of the South Otago Sub-association. -The executive wishes to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Miller, and to welcome Mr Clemens, who was for a number of years secretary of the snh-association. Mr T. R. W, Contts, a life member, retired from the headmastership of St. Clair School at the end of the second term. At the last annual meeting he did not seek reelection, but subsequently he was appointed the representative of the newlyformed South Tnapcka Snb-nssociation.

The number of children for whom the Otago State Primary Schools’ Sports Association caters is revealed by the following figures;—Boys’ winter games, 954; girls’ winter games, 0745; cricket, 484; lawn tennis, 170; athletics and swimming, 2,'i00.