Athletics

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 22

Athletics

By "Sprinter."

WHAT IS IN STORE?

PEEP INTO THE FUTURE

ACTIVITY AMONG CLUBS

Another athletic season is dawning. Within a few wqeks activities should be well under way in Wellington, and those early meetings will provide an outlet for the keenness and enthusiasm usually associated with this time of the year. From the point of view of the Wellington Centre, the new season amounts to the commencement of another chapter in the already long history of the sport ■in Wellington. Even if it were reasonably possible so to do, it would be. unwise to hazard at this juncture whether it is likely to be-a notable chapter r not in a proud record. This much, however, can be said: signs, are not wanting of keen interest among the clubs. Already most, if not all, of them have held their annual meetings, anl there are several which have reported an appreciable increase in membership. So far as this aspect is concerned the indications are that there will be plenty of competitors. And that is all to the good. One of the clubs which reports a considerably enhanced membership is the Wellington Club, tho oldest in the province. The Wellington Club has something like 30 new members—'none of them still "prospects," but all signed up. Some of tho other clubs, though, have also not just marked time. Eepresentativea of the Kiwi Club (which has proved a very progressive unit), the Olympic Club, the Petone Club, and the others will be out in force again, providing strong competition and generally making things interesting. ; Among the new members are several who have performed with distinction in other centres of the Dominion before coming to reside in Wellington. There is, for example, W. J. Fitzsimmons, who was Canterbury's second string in the sprint events last season and was second to J. B.- MacFarlane (Canterbury) in the 100 yards and 220 yards championships at the New Zealand championship meeting at Wellington in February. He should prove a decided acquisition. Fitzsimmons has joined tho Hutt. Club. It is to be hoped that we shall see plenty of him at tho meetings in tow.n. EARLY COMPETITION. ' The Petone Club :: likely to be first into the field with a meeting on the. Petone Oval on Wednesday evening next. Although it has not 'been announced whether arrangements have been completed, if original plans are carried out further competition will be available for Wellington athletes at Petone next Saturday, the Cycling Centre last week having decided to approach the Athletic Centre with a view to including some athletic events in a programme mapped out in connection with the finish of the Palmerston North to Wellington cycle road race. The Labour Day Celebration Committee, as usual, is arranging for a pports meeting to be held in the Basin Beserve on Labour Day, which this year will be on Monday, October 22. The following events have been decided upon: —75yds and 100 yds ladies, 100 yds handicap, ono milo handicap, 220 yds, 880 yds, high jump; 120 yds junior handicap, and half-mile, one milo, and threo miles cycle handicaps. Entries were to close with Mr. J. O'Sullivan at Messrs. James Smith, Ltd., yesterday, but no doubt some latitude of a day or two will be extended to athletes still wishing to'enter. Judging from views expressed in the annual report of at least one club, and supplemented subsequently at the annual meeting, the policy of the centre during the past season or two of holding few big meetings is likely to be made an issue at the annual meeting of the centre, which, it is understood, is to be held towards the end of this month. This is a question which is wrapped up with that of finance. It is likely to be quite a lively topic at the annual meeting, or perhaps even before then, if a meeting of the centre is called, which seems desirable, if only for the purpose of doing some useful preliminary spade work. Mr. F. Bond, of the Kiwi Club, has interested himself in this matter, and has drafted out a plan of sub-centi;e management. Another matter which, it is understood will bo coming before the annual meeting is a proposal that thero be a reversion to monthly meetings of the centre instead of quarterly meetings. , NATIONAL OUTLOOK. Apart from the purely local aspect of the new season, the national outlook also looks healthy. Eecent advices to hand point to the possibility, of a team of English athletes coming to New Zealand after competing in Australia. There are stated to Be four first-class men in view, including Godfrey Sampling, the quarter-mile star. It has been indisputably proved during the last ten years or so that the visit of an overseas team does give a fillip to the sport, the most recent example being the interest created last season by the tour of the threo Australian athletes, and notably by the performances of one of the trio, J. P. Motcalf c. Many times there has been talk of the desirability of a visit from a 1 team of Englishmen, and it is to be hoped that present prospects'will be fulfilled. A team of four New Zealand athlotos has been invited to take part in a series of conteuts.in Melbourne during the centenary celebrations, and this should also serve to stir interest. Should it be possible also to arrange for the team, of twelve Canadian schoolboy athletes, among whom is Sammy Eichardson, a negro, winner of the long jump at the British Empire Games, to compete in New Zealand on their way back from Melbourne, the season will be further enhanced. The Canadian boys are due to arrive in Wellington on Monday, and are to have a run at Wellington College during the day.