ATHLETICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 31, 10 December 1948, Page 4

ATHLETICS

Sir, —In reply to a recent articleon the' above subject by “Shorty”, dealing with the lack of interest in athletics shown in Whakatane, I would point out that this does not apply to the whole Whakatane district. One of Whakatane’s outer suburbs, a little place called Matata, has already made a start by runmng annual athletic meetings for the younger generation, at which the pick of Primary School athletes from Rhngitgiki schools compete. These spqrts were first held in 1946, dropped last year as a result of the Poliomyelitis epidemic, and are being held again this year on Saturday, December 11. v At these meetings some promising young athletes have come before the public, but unfortunately, once they leave school these boys have no opportunity, owing to the lack of a senior club in the district, of pursuing the taste for athletics engendered in them at primary school, and much good material is lost to the sport. What a wonderful opportunity it would be if an Athletic Club existed in Whakatane, for interested officials to visit these annual primaryathletic sports, to watch for boys who show promise, and by coaching and showing an interest in them, help to lay the foundations . of a strong senior club that would-be a credit to the district. Regular .athletic meetings such aswere held before the war are what are required. Wake up, Whakatane, and cater for seniors as Matata is catering for juniors. ' Yours etc., “PUKEKO”