SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21057, 8 March 1940, Page 2

SCHOOL ATHLETICS

WAIKATO PRIMARY SPORTS GRAND PARADE INTRODUCED Every effort is being made to make the Waikato Primary Schools’ Amateur Athletic Association’s Centennial sports meeting at the Claudelands showgrounds on March 15 one of the outstanding sporting fixtures of the district this year. Mr W. J. Earle, secretary of the association, -has drawn up a comprehensive programme, including a grand parade of all competitors, which, this year, are expected to number almost 2000 drawn from 25 schools. The grand parade is an innovation which is considered likely to arouse even greater public interest in the fixture. Fifteen cups will be at stake this year, as well as a rose bowl and the Sim’s Shield for country competition. At the 1939 fixture 1968 entries from 24 schools were received. As entries were limited to four at the most from each school for any one event the meeting resolved itself into a clash amongst school champions, with the result that the standard was unusually high and the competition keen. Although the sports are run with the object of bringing out the best in school athletics, they have proved in the past a sound financial success. Last year the sale of refreshments resulted in the funds being augmented to the tune of £SO. This was mainly built up by the children’s pennies, as no article sold at the booth cost more than 4d.