AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17185, 15 February 1930, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

FIELD EVENTS FOR LADIES

LESS STRENUOUS THAN HOCKEY

(Notes by “Discus.")

'there is no harm in field events for lady athletes, providing the various styles which the particular variety of contest demands are executed correctly. iu tact, jumping and hurdling arc less strenuous than a keen game of hockey, which is the New Zealand girl s national winter pastime.

The writer, therefore, is pleased lo see that the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club has introduced a broad jump ‘competition for its lady members, some of whom asked the executive to include a field event for ladies on the season’s programme. The move has been made in the right, direction, and it is hoped that the club will carry it fttit her.

If a, field section for lady athletes was successfully established here, ii would not he tong before other centres wouid follow suit. Nowhere in New Zealand has this department of athletic spoil been firmly established, for in every town there are some who consider field contests dangerous to womanhood. While there are man prejudiced against the sport, there are others who have; directly opposite views. In Australia, field competitions have been strongly" supported by lad\- athletes, with the result that to-day the Common wealth can boast a lady hurdler, Miss Clarice Kennedy, of New South Wales, who has broken the world’s record for the 80 metres hurdles. Miss Rose Winter, of New South Wales, is the champion woman high jumper of Australia. She recently leaped 4ft. lOgin., which is a brilliant performance. Australia has a lady sprinter, too. Miss Clirissio Dahm, also of New South Wales, who at the last State championships established a new record for the century by clocking .11 l-ssec. Miss Dahm recently covered the ICOyds. in 10 9-10soe.. but the record was not passed owing to the runner being assisted l'v a slight breeze. No one could wish for a sturdier type of girl than that portrayed in Miss Kennedy, Miss Winter, nr Miss Dahm, all of whom are well proportioned and look fire picture of health. The ladies’ broad jump, which will, ho the first of its kind staged here, will ho seen at next Thursday’s meeting. Mr. A. O. Swan, former hnndicapper of lire club, has intimated his interest in tho movement by donating a trophy for tire contest.

EMPIRE GAMES, The announcement last week that Mr. A. M. Weir I util made a, donation of £SCO towards tho funds for New Zealand's representation at tho Empire, Games, lo be hold at Hamilton, Ontario, next August, has given rise to considerable discussion in sporting circles throughout tho Dominion. In addition to Mr. Weir's generous oiler, Canada lias shown its interest in the matter by donating 5000 dollars (approximately ,0000) in order to assure that this outpost of tho British Empire will he strongly represented. Members of various sports bodies met in Wellington recently, and it was decided that everything possible would be done to send a fully representative team to the Empire Games this year. FOR WELLINGTON Miss Nonna Wilson and Floyd Atkins have been chosen to represent the Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay sub-centre at tiie Wellington provincial athletic championships, to bo field on Saturday, February 22.

Atkins will liave strong opposition in the sfiot putt and discus events, but niter his brilliant performance against the Napier champion, G. Lindsay, it is anticipated that the, Gisborne atidete will give a good account of himself. Atkins' best performance with the “tend'’ was 39ft. llin., registered at the recent sub-centre meeting. He is a capable exponent with the discus, having thrown it- 111 ft. 7m. Miss Wilson is in great form, and the writer anticipates that she, will win the ladies’ century at tho Wellington championships. Hawke's Bay “fans” claim tfiat Miss Svmes will fully extend the Gisborne girl, but after the manner in which Miss Wilson accounted for the southerner at tfie sub-centre championships tfio .Povertpy Bay sprinter has little to fear from that direction.