TO HELP JUNIOR ATHLETES

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1930, Page 7

TO HELP JUNIOR ATHLETES

PROPOSED CHAMPIONSHIP MEET.

HISCU'SSIOY BY THE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. 1 Wellington, Last Night. Proposals for the annual junior track and championship meeting to be held by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association were embodied in notices of motion presented at this evening’s annual meeting of the council. The proposals are to be considered by a sub-com-mittee consisting of the president, Mr, R. W. McVilly, the deputy chairman, Mr. 11. Amos, and Mr. V. Hugo, who will present a report at the next meeting. They will be considered, too, by a conference of centres next year.

A preliminary notice of motion “That two junior championship events (one field and one track) be included in the programme of the N.Z.A.A.A. championship meeting at Dunedin in February, 1931,” was introduced by Mr. Hugo and seconded by Mr. Amos. In bringing the motions forward Mr. Hugo said that by attending the annual secondary school meetings he had become convinced that amateur athletics lost at least 80 per cent, of the talent which was available through letting it drift away after boys had left school. It was time the association did something to encourage young athletes. Mr. Amos said that in England and elsewhere it had been proved that such' junior championships were the best means of finding athletic ability. “However, we don’t want the youngsters to think that the winning of blues and athletic honours is the main thing in life,” said Mr. Amos.