AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 133, 13 January 1939, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

(By “Pistol”.) Athletics are now in full swing and with the approach of a number or sports fixtures it is a busy time for both officials and athletes. Big sports meetings are being held throughout the province practically every week from now on until the end of lhe season. The most important fixture, as far as the local club is concerned, is > the big annual championship meeting for the Moody Banner, to be held at Opotiki on * Saturday, 21st. January. This meeting is becoming very popular and it. is expected that this year no less than eight teams will be taking part. Last year six clubs were represented. Gisborne Club, holders of the Moody Banner sent over a very strong team of over 40 athletes. This year the teams will be limited to 21 competitors so that the competition will be keener and the billeting arrangements will lie- made easier.

.Teams are expected from Gisborne, Hamilton, Botorua, Tauranga, To Awainutu, Te Puke and Whakataue. Some of the province's best athletes will be competing and the events will reach a high standard. The Opotiki Club is making a special effort this year to win the banner and: it is the general opinion that the club has the best chance it has had since the competition began. Particular attention has been given to the various events where Opotiki lost points in previous years.

It is most pleasing and encouraging to the committee to see such a good and enthusiastic ladies’ team taking part. It is hoped that this team will regain a number of points that tlie club has lost the last few years. Miss Cochrane should do particularly well in the. field' events as she jumped 2J ft. oins. in the hop, step and jump at the last night meeting. Since last year the club has been considerably strengthened by a team from W aima11a and it is understood several from W hakataue are competing for Opotiki. All the local athletes are in strict training and should- all lie in top form for the day.

A team of four journeyed to W'iiakatane on Wednesday to take part in the weekly sports meeting. They should greatly benefit by the extra competition. The programme drawn up is a fairly large one consisting of running. cycling and field, events. The programme has been arranged to allow two or more events to be run simultaneously if necessary. This will ensure that there will be no intervals between events.

As in previous years the jumping events are sure to reach a high standard. Fenton of Waimana and Inskip are both jumping well and should give a good account of themselves. ft is pleasing to learn that Griffin is training to endeavour to win the hop. step and jump. - Griffin’s distance for this event last year was the best recorded in Opotiki for a few years. If luskip can repeat his performance of last year, when lie won the Auckland Provincial Junior Broad Jump, he should do well in this event. Anderson. Dobreceny and Upton are all running well and should set- a number of points for Opotiki. In the cycling Vereoe is outstanding and should he placed in the longer distances as he lias phenomenal stamina. The Storer brothers are always fit and will not be far behind. The committee is making every effort to make this spTTrts meeting the best held in Opotiki.