AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 84, 6 October 1938, Page 6

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

KIWI CLUB'S REPORT

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Much time and effort have been put into the Kiwi Amateur Athletic Club's report, which, in its seven pages, deals comprehensively with the past season generally and then in detail with various phases of the club's activities. The view is expressed that the club experienced a very good year, and that genuine progress was made. It is considered that the new season promises to be equally as good, if not better, but keen and unremitting efforts are urged, together with whole-hearted co-opera-tion, to strengthen the present, position and promote the club's primary objective of encouraging the physical well being of the young people ot the, city. Reviewing the season generally, the report expresses some disappointment that greater interest was not shown by the public and more enthusiasm by athletes. Kiwi Club members, it is considered, attended training well, and I under the leadership of the club captain, Mr. J. Gilmore, set an example to others. This fine spirit had its reward in the good performances registered by Kiwi Club competitors, and in the rise in the standard of performance in many events. The inter-club trophies won by the club included the O'Leary Trophy, the Heenan Boomerang, and the Kitto Shield. Provincial championship titles were won by C. Robinson (senior 220 yards and 440 yards), J. Prendergast (senior hop, step, and jump), and A. Cochrane (junior 440 yards). ENGAGEMENT OF COACH. The year, the report continues, would have been an eventful one, lit' only for the engagement by the Wellington Centre of Mr. A. L. Fitch as coach. The centre is congratulated on this action, and the view is Expressed that Mr. Fitch's activities did a great deal towards creating a revival of interest in athletics and that in the general/ improvement in coaching facilities which resulted the Kiwi Club participated to a greater extent than any other. Mr. Ben Sutherland is also congratulated for the part he took in the nego--tiations leading up to the appointment of Mr. Fitch, an action-which it is felt is the most progressive step ever made in the interests of amateur athletics in New Zealand. The club would have liked to have seen greater use made by athletes of the' coach's services. The report suggests also that everything should be done in an endeavour to improve the equipment and general facilities for sound tutoring. Athletes are urged to pull their weight and take full advantage of the opportunity for improvement presented by Mr. Fitch's return to Wellington this season. The new committee which was set up to take over the control of interclub meetings and general business affecting city and suburban clubs, the report states, was not altogether a success, but it is considered that with more experience this re-arrangement in the administration could prove more satisfactory both to athletes and centre officials. It is also, considered that the graded scratch system of competition, which was introduced and persevered with during the early part of the season, was hardly a success. The most popular meetings were those held under electric light on the Basin Reserve, and the hope is expressed that they will be held regularly and more frequently this season. Another point made in the report is that the,athletic authorities in Wellington should not relax their efforts to secure a more suitable ground than that at Hataitai. The winners of the club trophies are given as follows:—Everiss Shield, D. Hicks; Taylor Memorial, A. Cochrane; Hugo Vases, C. Robinson; Reynolds Cup, F. Norton; Hugo Rose Bowl, Miss .Tyrall; Mayer Cup (won outright), J. Prendergast. ?*>