I am sure that Wallasey youth have never before shown such keenness in Athletics. Interest in local sports has always run high, but when it comes that it is impossible to go for an evening stroll without seeing some mysterious being in shorts and vest plodding through the dusk, one begins to wonder just how many of our young folk are in this Athletic game.
Of course coaching is given in the schools from the earliest years, and general interest aroused. In the secondary schools and public schools competition is keen. It's a common enough sight these days to see intensive training in all branches of sports being carried on at the school grounds. Running and jumping, hurdling and vaulting, throwing the discus and javelin, putting the weight-all these activities are being practised nightly under the observation of watchful coaches.
Is it any wonder, then, that our young men and women, when they have finished their schooling and enter into every day occupations, for the most part sedentary -is it any wonder that they want to carry on these activities and keep fit and frisky ?
Those who go on to the Universities find that athletics play a large part in outdoor activities and that inter-collegiate rivalry runs high. Athletics becomes a normal part of student life, and, when the times comes to leave, many want to carry on.
During winter months there are many sports to keep one fit. In every game, however, athletics is recognised as the fundamental basis, and every sportsman seeks to take part in some form of athletic training, especially during the summer.
Some firms cater for this by providing sports grounds for their employees. But there are many workers who cannot get the same facilities for athletics in the summer.
Now, this introduction of Militia is coming to broaden the young men out into perfect physical fitness. Those who have gone in for some sport such as rugger, soccer, boxing, rowing or cross-country running will not feel the sudden change into intensive physical training to the same extent as will the pitiable few who follow no sport.
It is as well for those who have been playing winter games to keep in tip-top form by carrying on with athletics in the meantime, and it is doubtless with this idea in mind that so many runners are seen about these evenings.
More important still will it be for the young mon to keep in the zenith of condition when they return from camp. It will be imperative for general athletic facilities to be available for recreation and to this end Wallasey Athletic Club is setting a movement afoot in Wallasey.
A Wallasey Athletic Ground is in the air. Training in all branches of running and field events will be carried on- skilled coaches will be there to instruct. The facilities will be open to men and women of all ages. Watch these columns for more news.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 27/05/1939 by PW
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