ATHLETIC CLUB'S SOCIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 9 August 1946, Page 4

ATHLETIC CLUB'S SOCIAL

YEAR'S TROPHIES PRESENTED ENJOYABLE ENTERTAINMENT The Druids' Hall was fllled to capacity 011 Wednesday evening for the Levin Combined Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club's social, at which the presentation of trophies won during last season was made to successful members by the Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin) . Before the • presentations an enjoyable musical programme was heard. The president of the club, Mr. W.

criDD, saia rnar a numuei ujl wwsc who had won trophies were unfortunately absent through sickness. The club had had a wonderful year, and he thanked all the competitors who were the mainstay of athletics and cycling. The club wasone of the strongest in New Zealand. He said a special vote of thanks was due to the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, who had given their time free of charge without being asked. The club was proud to have them present on the occasion on the presentation of trophies. Mr. Cribb also mentioned the presence of the Levin Municipal Band at the gathering. He said that their performance was a credit, considering the short time they had been practising. Thanks were due to the business people of the town for the.manner in which they had donated trophies; to Mr. J. A. Goodwin and to the general public. He appealed to the public to assist athletics in any form. It was their duty to encourage sport, and to give our youth good clean sport. Sport had drifted into a rut during the war years, and it was time to get it out of that rut. Before presenting the trophies, Mr. Burdekin said that the gathering brought a most successful year to a close, a season which augured well for the future. There was no one who did not have a place in his heart for those who excelled in sport. The British race had befen taught to admire a man who did well in sport. New Zealanders had done well in the last Olympic Games, some reaching the finals, and all had competed with great distinction, especially J. E. Lovelock and A. E. Porrit. In this little country of one and a quarter million people there was a great desire to take part in games. The ,five-day week had- given mere ^ time and opportunity to indulge nl sport. He went on to speak- from personal experience of the difficulties of transport in the early days of sport in New Zealand. Although they were to see those who had won trophies, it was not them that deserved all the thanks, but those who had competed week after week — the "also-starteds." The true sportsmen were those who could stand their losses, for they had sport truly embedded in their hearts. The people who took the knockings, the people who could ap^ly sportsmanship to everyday life and keep smiling were the worthwhile people. Mr. Burdekin concluded by expressing the hope that a goodly number of loyal supporters would help the club in the coming season. Trophies were then presented as follows: — Most points in ladies .section: Miss M. Lang 1, Miss M. Cameron 2, and Miss M. . Prendeville 3. Most points juhior: M. Welby 1, L. Giles 2, A. Lee (Shan- / non) 3. Junior cyclists: N. Parker • / 1, L. Ellery 2, N. Bignall 3." Senior 7 ~fj cyclists: D. Convery 1, C. Batten 2, G. Milroy 3. Senior athletics: H. _ M. Gordon 1, P. H. Clapcott 2, W. Hodges 3. Special trophy to most imp.roved junior cyclist: L- Ellery. The concert programme was as follows: — The three Misses Green vocal; Mr. Eccles, piano accordeon; Miss Green, vocal; community sing; Mr. L. R. Spencer, violin; selections by the Levin Municipal Band; and Mr. and Mrs. Bui, vocal and instrumental.