DIFFICULT YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 92, 15 October 1932, Page 15

DIFFICULT YEAR

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

EFFECT OF DEPRESSION

A wide field is covered in the fortyfirst annual report for the forty-fifth year of the 3STew Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, to be presented to members at the annual meeting in Wellington on <21st November. Activities of the past season, both administrative and competitive, are reviewed in a comprehensive way, and in certain' respects recommendations are made for the future welfare of the sport. a In the absenco of any visiting team, the report states, that part of the- season prior to the centre and Dominion championships, was marked by very few outstanding performances, and the level all round at that time seemed to indicate that like the country itself tho sport 'was undergoing a period of depression. Happily, however, this view was confounded by numerous performances at centre championships, and in almost every event at the Dominion championships, at which, moreover, contests as fine as any of the past were seen. ..'.•. . ' ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE. "On tho administrative side tho season was a trying and difficult one foV both centres and clubs," the report continues. "The enterprise of the council and centres in -tho past in bringing to New Zealand at frequent intervals the best available talent from overseas undoubtedly stimulated public interest in ;those meetings ,at which overseas athletes compoted, but there has been a marked falling off in the attendance at meetings where purely local talent has been on the field,- albeit tho competitors were of high class. This may indieato that the interest created by tho overseas visitors was transient, or be due entirely to the severity of tho economic depression through which the Dominion is now passing—in either case we express the hope that both interest and enthusiasm will be revived in. tho near future, and that, at all our sports gatherings the knowledge that a .largo concourse of their own people are looking on will be an incentivo ana encouragement, and a Bp ur to the athletes of New.Zealand to emulate the performances ot the greatest athletes of any otnor country." '. SACRIFICES MADE. Under tho circumstances the manner >n which centres and clubs tackled their problems and the sacrifices made by competitors wore' deserving of the were just as keen showed effi the Sfeur. NeW ZOal^ t0 * trS ■roS WaS £™ tifying to be ablo to record a satisfactory settlement' of the long-standing dispute over the control of cycling. Another matter for cong atulaUon was tho substantial progiess of women's athletics. There had been suggestions that separate control by the women themselves was desirable, but it was felt that was a matter that could bo safely left until the women's sections of clubs evinced some general desire for separation. _ In the secondary and primary schools the. sport naturally haindt felt the depression to the same extent as. had the centres and clubs. Melds had been as large as, if not larger than, ever, and the standard of achievement liad been maintained. The great problem was to keep the boys actively interested in the sport after their schooldays, and tho council of the association was giving this matter very serious consideration. . ~-., .... Many other -topics-safe dealt with in tho report, which, incidentally, is the most comprehensive the-association lias ever published, and some of these will be found under soparate ' headings' in this issue. FINANCIAL POSITION. The accounts disclose the association to be in a fairly satisfactory financial position, 'although there, was a'loss. of £20 8s 6d on the year's workings. The actual cash fundp of tho association are £431 19s 6d, being approximately £37 leas than last year, but there is £. 70 to bo received from the Rose Trust Fund Trustees, being the balance of expenses of Mr. J. E. Lovelock to the Olympic Games which tho trustees donated. The Overseas Representative. Fund is overdrawn £16 4s lid. It was necessary to overdraw this fund to enable tho expenses of the athletes who,represented the association at the Olympic Games to be paid, but the association expects to receive the amount overdrawn within the near future from" registratioa foes.