Budding young athletes join up

OUTSTANDING: Genna Maples in action winning the North Island Schools 100m in April. Maples has made a good start to the new season with a slick 100 metres into a strong head wind on Tuesday.

There were some interesting numerical comparisons at Cooks Gardens on Monday.
Out on the track close to 150 young budding athletes attended the opening children's evening with over 115 of Intermediate school age eager to become involved.

The initiatives adopted by the club have made an encouraging start and will only grow further as the new team competition gets underway. The Monday evenings start at 4 -30 pm for the younger children followed by activities and team competition for intermediate school aged athletes appears to be a winner

In contrast to these encouragingly large numbers on the track upstairs at Cooks Gardens the AGM only just reached a quorum. Like local elections there is a degree of apathy surrounding democracy.

Perhaps some don't attend because they fear they might get given a job while others are perhaps happy about the state of affairs and would prefer to stay at home. However, without people prepared to volunteer the large numbers out on the track will not receive the package they want and deserve.

In my president's report I emphasised the need for more officials and helpers. The retiring committee members and Fred Holmes, Heather McKenzie and Ron Scott officials were acknowledged. Also acknowledged were the vital sponsors and funding support given over the year.

The overheads before an athlete steps on to the Cooks Gardens all-weather track is in excess of $10,000 and without especially the $5000 support for rent from the Lion Foundation registration costs would rise beyond the ability of many of our members to pay.

The final part of the $25,000 Wanganui Powerco Community Trust has been spent and we now have an upgraded camera and IT systems to handle major meetings. The support of St John's Club in providing garaging for the high Jump equipment will prove a blessing throughout the season and the tidy Long Jump covers funded by Bark and Boulders enhances the ground.

The loan of a photocopier from Ricoh has been appreciated was acknowledged.

The Cooks Classic held in January although not making any appreciable profit is important for the city and if lost would probably not return. We are appreciative of our many event sponsors who make the event possible and are vital if the event is to continue.

The new camera saw its first use on Tuesday at the first major club night that doubled as the Collegiate Open Championship (open to all club members to take part in).

The opening 1500 metres went to the well-performed Jane Lennox in a good season opener in just a little over five minutes (5:03.83). Lennox will meet more competition next week as New Zealand's leading school distance runner Hannah O'Connor and other Taranaki athletes will join us as the Inglewood track is being resurfaced.

A relaxed Christian Conder took the boy's title from training partner Louis Hogan. Hogan should be especially pleased with his good season opener.

Harry Symes took the 100 metres (11.64) into a stiff head wind and added the 400 metres half an hour later (50.19). Interestingly both were significantly faster than the same double on opening night last year.

This is a good start to an important season. I can't remember a faster first 400 metres from a Whanganui school athlete.

Genna Maples at 13 could well become the Collegiate Senior Champion. She won the 100 metres (12.90) and Long Jump (5.02 m and also came second to her older sister in the Shot. Her sister Lexi set a new personal best in the even (12.22) giving the heptathlete a good season opener which included a narrow win over 400 metres.

Meanwhile, younger sister Genna ran an outstanding personal best (41.20) that shows that as well as speed and power she has strength, endurance.

Patrick Parker took the boys shot with Kieran Pere who was 4 centimetres shy of 6 metres taking the Long Jump. The Open Championships continue next week with the Hurdles, 200 metres, 800 metres High Jump. Triple Jump and Discus being contested.

The Discus will be held at 4.15pm to avoid clashing with the successful Whanganui Rugby team who will hopefully be preparing for a home final.