Athletic Club

The great weakness of our Club is that the greater portion of the athletic season is included in the long vacation and consequently our members and potential members lack opportunities for training and competition with outside athletes.

This coming season Easter falls fairly late, and as the Easter Tournament is to be held in Wellington and is to be made the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the College it behoves us to put our very best athletic talent on the track. There are undoubtedly the makings of many first-class athletes among our students could they but be persuaded to try themselves out, and it is up to every student to do his best to regain the Athletic Shield next Easter. There are several instances of Victoria College students who have taken to athletics with no previous experience and have turned out to be champions, so that no one should let the opportunity pass without having a good try out. It must be remembered, however, that an athlete does not depend on natural brilliancy to win his events, but that the most successful are those who put in really hard and regular work at their training. Students are therefore urged to start training during the long vacation and to come back next year bursting with athletic vigour. To those who reside in Wellington training facilities will be available at Kelburn Park, and numerous meetings are held during the season by the local clubs where students may gain track experience in handicap events. The Club will hold a small meeting early in the term followed by the Inter-Faculty Tournament a fortnight before Easter Saturday, when the team for the Tournament will be picked.

Our weak point ever since the inception of the Tournament has been the field events, and in nineteen tournaments Victoria has won the long jump three times, high jump twice, hammer once and shot never. In addition to these four, throwing the javelin and hop, step and jump have been added to the programme for next Tournament. These field events, perhaps more than others, require long practice and careful attention to details of style, and any member having an aptitude for such events is urged to start preliminary training at once.

In the "Spike" for October, 1921, appeared a number of hints on training contributed by prominent athletes, and these may prove useful to any desiring to start an athletic career. Any further information may be obtained from the Secretary or members of the Club Committee.