ATHLETICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5278, 13 December 1946, Page 3

ATHLETICS

SPIKE.)

(By

The weather can again be held as responsible for the poor attendance at last Monday's meeting at Pererika Street. However, conditions were almost ideal for competitors; the times recorded are proof of that. Local r>unners will have to show a good deal more interest if they want their club to regain the position it once held in the old Waikato Sub-Centre. Once again, juniors and seniors were included in the same race. While this lielps to make for a good field, it is not in the best interests of the juniors, even if they do receive inCTeased handicaps for the open events. That they have held their own up to date is no argument for the continuance of such a policy. Another disappointing feature is the failure of the women's events to attract competitors. Unless more support is forthcoming, the ladies will only have themselves to hlame if the eommittee omits their seetion from future programmes. Cycling. A 'boys' cycle race was, included in last week's meeting, the result of which was overlooked. It resulted in a win for B. Ludgate, wtih D. Hardie second. Next Monday an endeavour will foe made to cater for the cyclists of the townf A false track will be marked at the bends, reducing the length of the straights, and making far safer riding. If this proves satisfactory, cycle races will again become a feature of the programmes. Training. At the last executive meeting, Mr. C. Stephenson was appointed coach. He will be able to call on some of the other more experienced' club members of the club for assistance in the Various sections of the sport. It has been decided to make Tuesday the official trainipg night, commencing nbxt Tuesday. In the cities, club training night is nsually the most popular night of the week. Athletes are enahled to become better acquainted and training together helps to build up a good club spirit. Don't think, however, that hecause there is only one official training night each week that one night's training a week is sufficient to attain and maintain satisfactory^ physical fitness. If possible, arrange to train regularly with someone elsv.. Too much work on your own is psy'chologically had. Last Monday's Performances. P. Fox, who finished third in the hroad jump, is a former Wellington nrovincial chamnion. He first repre-

sented Wellington in 1939, as junior. The following year, ivhile still in the junior ranks, he was also chosen to compete at the national senior championships. He also attendetl last year's national championships, but an injured knee upset his chances. In 1944 he won the New Zealand ,^ervices hop,step and jump championship, and was placed second in the broad jump. J. Wild, a junior fi'om Cambridge, also jumped well on Monday. His best effort was l'8ft lOin, compared with Fox's 20ft 3in. In the women's event, Miss P. Hardie did well to clear 15ft lQin. The time in the half-mile was, a considerable improvement on those recorded in recent seasons. The 'backmarkers, G. Shields (30yds) and K. French (40) should soon 'be doing standard time off those handicaps. C. Dohnt appeared to ho a little troubled 'by the slightly faster race ;hut he will soon learn to distri'bute his pace to better advantage. Although some of the starters received rather generous treatmeut, the time of 11 4-5sec for the 120 yards was really good. The Old Boys Football Club had a relay team present and was dis- , appointed that there .was. no opposition. Here is a chance for some other sports body or business house to offei a challenge. Club members are reminded that their entries for the Boxing Day meeting must he made by to-day at 6 p.m. •Next Monday's programme will be 100 Yards, One Mile; Diseus and High Jump, in the junior and senior sections. Half-mile Cycle, 'junior and senior. WqnVen's, 50 Yards, 100 Yards and High Jump. Children's races commence at 5.30 p.m.