Athletic Club

It is with a feeling of satisfaction that one reviews the 1938-39 season of the Athletic Club. Last year the Club was definitely improving its general standard, and this season the results indicated and increased measure of success. The Club's thanks are again due to its energetic coaches, Messrs. C. B. Allen and S. G. Eade, and to the centre coach, Mr. A. L. Fitch. All these men have assisted the members with their advice and support and are largely responsible for the greater success of the Club in open competition. Messrs. Allen and Eade were in attendance at Kelburn Park regularly during the season and Mr. Fitch was also present on several occasions for coaching besides delivering an address at the annual meeting and showing some films.

A feature of the season was the large attendance of new members, and it is hoped that next season will see them with us again. Most of last year's new members have reached the stage where they can hold their own in open competition in Wellington, and are consequently more able to enjoy the sport. A notable example is S. Gribben who combines an ability to sprint with dexterity as a field events man. He should be a decided acquisition to the Tournament team for the coming season.

As usual the Varsity athletic season did not get properly under way until after the New Year; but it was early apparent that the Club would have a stronger team than in previous years. The 1938 N.Z.U. title-holders. C. V. Adams, E. M. Irving, and D. R. Scrymgeour, together

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with J. S. Adams, A. A. Congalton. J. P. Eastwood. A. Dixon, R. L. S. Black and many others all showed promising form and in the graded scratch meetings held by the Centre the Club colours were well represented. There was a particular wealth of talent among the sprinters, namely. Eastwood, Adams, Gorringe, Bowyer and Dixon. In the middle distances those who performed notably were Annear. Livingstone, Muir and Northern, while Congalton, O'Connor and Scrymgeour represented the Club with credit over the long distances, Irving, Stacey, and Tossman were the most notable hurdlers. J. S. Adams was the most versatile performer in the field events, being consistently good in the high jump, javelin throw and high hurdles. O'Regan as a long jumper would have improved if he had taken nis training more seriously. A. Cochrane is a definite possibility in this event if he joins up next year. McLeod and Dalzell are both walkers of promise.

In February some representatives of the Club paid a visit to Stratford to compete at an invitation meeting. Unfortunately the handicaps mitigated against good results, but, regarded from the point of view of experience, the trip was a success. By the time of the Provincial Championships on 25th February the Varsity runners were reaching peak form. No titles came the way of the Club although there were a good number of placings recorded. Eastwood, C. V. Adams and Irving were provincial representatives at the N.Z. Championships.

At the Club's Inter-Faculty Sports held at Kelburn Park on Saturday, 18th March, some good performances were registered—probably the most notable being that of Eastwood in winning the 100 yards in 10 1/10 seconds.

It was in Dunedin, however, that the Club gained its most outstanding successes. For live years the athletic "wooden spoon" has graced the trophy case at V.U.C., but last Easter it found another home; Victoria ranking second to Otago in the athletic points with six events including all the sprints coming to V.U.C. Places gained by V.U.C. representatives were as follows:—

C. V. Adams—1st 220 yards, 2nd 100 yards.

J. P. Eastwood—1st 100 yards, 1st 440 yards.

E. M. Irving—1st 120 hurdles, 3rd 220 hurdles.

D. R. Scrymgeour—1st 3 miles, 3rd 1 mile.

J. S. Adams—1st javelin throw, 2nd high jump, 3rd long jump.

G. Annear—3rd 880 yards.

One lesson which may be learned from the Inter-Faculty Sports this year, is that given the necessary training plus a certain amount of experience in competition, there are many more Club members who could perform with the best in Wellington.

Members should realise that success in athletics does not come without hard training, but also that it is only where an athlete is in reasonable physical condition that he is able to enjoy the sport to the full. Ample competition is available throughout the season. An appeal is therefore made to all who intend to turn out next season to participate actively in Club events and to avail themselves of the excellent services given by the Club coaches.

The Club awards for the season were as follows: —

Dunbar Cup (most points outside competition)—E. M. Irving.

Ladies' Cup (most points Inter-Faculty)— E. M. Irving.

Oram Cup (best performance Inter-Faculty)— J. P. Eastwood.

Heineman Cup (most improved athlete)—M. O'Connor.

Old Members' Cup (most points Club meetings)—C. V. Adams.

At the time of writing, a tour by a team of Australian University athletes for the coming season is in prospect. In all probability contests will be arranged between the visitors and the various Colleges. The scheme has the support of the N.Z.A.A. Council, and should prove an incentive to all V.U.C. athletes to prepare for some intensive competition.

In conclusion, the progress of athletics at V.U.C. during the last two years indicates a return to the "golden age" when the Green and Gold carried everything before it at Tournament.