THE AMATEUR ATHLETES

Southland Times, Issue 23025, 20 October 1936, Page 9

THE AMATEUR ATHLETES

INVERCARGILL CLUB ANNUAL MEETING Optimism for the coming season and confidence in the executive officers of the club were expressed by members at the annual meeting of the Invercargill Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club last evening. Mr R. Smith, who acted as chairman in the absence of the president. (Mr A. Derbie), presided over a big attendance of members. The annual report stated that the past season, while perhaps not as successful as the 1934-35 season, was nevertheless a satisfactory one. The standard of performance was quite good, and, from the point of view of numbers, showed an improvement on former seasons. The racing was always keen and interesting. This was mostly

due to the capable manner in which the handicapper, Mr E. Moyle, and the starter, Mr J. Holloway, carried out their respective duties. During the season meetings were held at Rugby Park, and many country meetings also swelled the circuit. Both city clubs combined to put on events of a high standard, and their efforts merited greater support from the public, whose patronage was, as foiTnerly, very poor. The country branches, particularly Ryal Bush, were still functioning in a strong and vigorous fashion. The annual championships, held on Rugby Park, were again successful. Competition was keen, and the standard of performances good. Public support was very disappointing, and the apathetic attitude of the people generally was most disappointing. A small team competed at the Otago track and field championships in Dunedin. While not so successful as formerly in the matter of championship honours, all. the team members acquitted themselves well. Special mention might be made of the performance of lan Anderson in the javelin throw, who, while still a junior, showed up more than favourably against very strong opposition. It is worthy of note that B. Crowther was picked to represent Otago at the New Zealand championships held at Dunedin and took his place in the representative team. This was the first occasion that a distance runner from the Invercargill Club had been so honoured. Transfers and promotions among members had again taken toll of the club’s performers. When Mr G. Rodger announced his retirement from active participation in the club, Mr A. Derbie was appointed president of the club. Mr Derbie was keenly interested in the activities of the club, but unfortunately a business tour of several months’ duration had, so far, prevented him assuming office. Mr R, J. Smith had carried on as acting-chairman in his absence, and it was expected that Mr Derbie would be able to take his place in the presidential chair for the ensuing season.

Harrier Activities. The harrier season just concluded was the best ever experienced by the club. Members won the Southland cross-country shield for the third year in succession, and the club was only one point behind the winner in the road race championship. The competition in both races was keen and interesting, and some fine individual performances were recorded. A club team competed in the senior race for the Otago cross-country championship, and its placing was the best ever recorded by a Southland team. In formally moving the adoption of the report, Mr Smith congratulated the secretary (Mr G. McAnergney) on the manner in which the report had been presented. The club had had a successful season, on the whole, and the executive was grateful to the members who had . given enthusiastic support to the club’s activities. W. Crowther, who had represented Otago at the New Zealand championships, was to be congratulated. His performance had been a good one. The speaker also referred to the number of members lost to the club during the year. The harrier team this year had been the best, in the speaker’s opinion, that had ever represented the club. The outstanding performer had been J Metcalfe. Until last season he had been an erratic, if promising, runner. Under the expert coaching of Mr Gordon Watson, however, his latent ability had been realized. To Mr Watson also was due much of the credit for the success of the harrier team as a whole. His expert knowledge had been of great benefit to his fellow members. Need For Early Training. Mr Smith concluded by urging upon those pTesent the advisability of early training. The time was now more than ripe, he said, for the track men to be getting into form for the summer meetings. On the question of Mr G. Metcalfe a vote of thanks was passed to Mr McAnergney for the manner in which he had drawn up the report. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr J. D. Campbell (re-elected); president, Mr A. Derbie (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs A. H. Courtis, R. T. Meredith, A. W. Jones and W. Dobie (all reelected); hon. secretary, Mr G. McAnergney (re-elected); hon. treasurer, Mr J. Chaplin; committee, Messrs R. J. Smith, E. Moyle, W. Torrance, G. Metcalfe, G. Watson and W. McKinnon; hon. handicapper, Mr E. Moyle (reelected); hon. starter, Mr C. Pierson; hon. auditor, Mr D. McLauchlan (reelected); hon. timekeepers, Messrs A. D. Bum, A, Hobbs, A. Couling and G. Kidd; delegates to centre, Messrs J. W. Holley and J. J. Morris (both reelected); coaches, Messrs A. Couling, C. Pierson and R. Smith; judges, Messrs A. H. Courtis, R. T. Meredith, A. Derbie and W. Dobie (all re-elected); delegates to the association, Messrs L. Small, R. Smith and G. McAnergney; supervisor Waikiwi branch, Mr G. MetIt was decided that a minute of appreciation of the services of Messrs J. W Holley and J. J. Morris, the delegates to the Otago Centre, be recorded. , Four new members were elected. Athletics in Schools. Mr G. Metcalfe suggested that the School Sports Association be approached to see whether it would be possible to coach the primary school boys. At present only cricket and football were taught at the schools; athletics should take its place. From the primary school boys would come Invercargill’s athletes of the future. It would also be advisable, he said, to endeavour to foster the sport at the Southland Boys’ High School and the Technical College. Promising youngsters could be coached, their faults corrected and they could be given an impetus to take up the sport on leaving school. The chairman said that the suggestion was a good one. There were many difficulties in the way, but the idea would be kept in mind. It was decided that it be a recommendation to the combined committee that the competition for the George Mcßurney trophy be spread over three or more meetings. The competition was too cumbersome for one meeting, it was stated. It was decided, on the motion of Mr G. Metcalfe, that it be a recommendation to the association that three exhibition field events be included on the evening sports programme at the Summer Show. Mr Metcalfe said that this would serve to

arouse public interest in field athletics —a section of the sport which was comparatively neglected in Southland. More City Meetings Desired. Mr E. Moyle spoke strongly in favour of having more city meetings during the coming season. Last season, he said, there had been only two meetings. The country clubs had been supported to the detriment of the Invercargill Club. This support for the country clubs had been warranted, but the time had come when “our own house should be put in order.” It was decided that Mr Molye’s suggestion should take the form of a recommendation to the association. That the time had come for an alteration in the club’s track uniform was the opinion expressed by Mr G. Metcalfe. After a brief discussion, it was decided that arrangements be made to secure royal blue singlets. A strong plea for the members to secure new blood for the club was made

by Mr Torrance. “We have room for 50 new members,” he said. “And we have the facilities to provide them with excellent sport.” Training night was fixed for Tuesday in each week. October 31 was the date fixed for opening day. It was decided to hold the meeting on the Waikiwi sports ground. A vote of thanks to The Southland Times for the manner in which it supported amateur' athletics was carried by acclamation.